Sheepshank
Animated Sheepshank
  • The Sheepshank is a shortening knot, which enables a rope to be shortened non-destructively. 
  • The knot is only really secure under tension, it will fall apart when slack. (See tip below.)
  • This knot is a very unreliable knot and should not be used.  It is difficult to tie with a load on the rope.
  • Tip. Use up to five half hitches each end of the Sheepshank to make the knot more secure, and for fine tuning the shortening. 
  • Tip. Never cut ropes to shorten them! Always use a shortening knot such as the Sheepshank, or coil the excess. 
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