Other cord style guards?

T

Tin.Man

Joined
Sep 5, 2010
Messages
876
Just tinkering with wrapped handles, rather comfortable and love that I can do them while watching a movie instead of covering myself in g10 dust.

Anyways, do any of you knot nerds know of something similar to a Turks head? But can be cinched down? I like using a whipping technique on my cord handles where even if it wasn't epoxied it would still hold itself on, and I hate how the Turks head never really gets tight. You can tighten in in stages but never as tight as I like.

Thoughts? Comments? Concerns?

Appreciate the help
 
Turks head knots can be tightened down so tight they are immovable. You have to work it round and round, but it can be pulled very tight. Make a smooth "hook" tool from an old ice pick to pull the strands. Tie or tape up one leg to the handle so it can't move. Working from that end, go round and round to the other end. When there, repeat as needed until it is tight.

There are many other decorative collar knots.
A simple "over-under" braid of two double strands will work. Start with a loop of the two strands. Put a small brad in the handle on the bottom to hold the loop. Put the loop on the brad and braid them to go around the handle. Bring the running ends through the loop, pull the brad out of the handle, and tighten. You can either glue the ends and cut flush, or use them to wrap the handle.

Another is a square knot chain braid that end through itself and the cords becomes the handle wrap strands as above.
 
See the Ashley Book of Knots for lots of options for decorative knotting. As Stacy says, the Turks head can be made quite tight. It just takes a lot of patience, and a marlinespike will help. One trick I have used is to pass the cord through a hole in the handle as you tie the knot. Plan it out as you form the first pass of the knot and pass the cord through a couple times symmetrically. The knot will stay in place even if it gets a little loose.
 
Stacy do you have any links for examples? Should have specified, I hate that the Turks head has to be tightened in so many steps. Just seems like there has to be a better way.

Or atleast a simpler more efficient way
 
I know of no simple way to get good quality in any task besides doing it right and taking your time.

I think I have posted some threads in the past with links to fancy knots, lanyard braids, and such. Just google something like ,"Turk's head and other fancy knots" and you should find tons. I don't watch you-tube, but I bet there are thousands of tutorials there, too.

Making little hooks and picks with nice turned wood handles is nice, but a few old knitting and crochet needles/hooks will work just as well to make cord wrapping and fancy knots easier.
 
Stacy while I agree anything worth doing is worth doing right, given the great big wild world of knots, the Turks head seems woefully inefficient I guess. I'm a climber and a sailor, so it's not that I can't tie it, so much as it's frustratingly tedious for the reward it gives.

McPherson appreciate the link, I stalk animated knots haha
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top