Knots in theatre

[Twiselton]

I'm studying for a qualification in technical theatre and need to write about different knots used in theatre, and what their uses are. I've found all the knots online but I just can't find the uses. Just wondering if anyone can help me?

 

I need to know the uses in theatre terms for: reef knot, bow line, clove hitch and trucker's hitch.

 

can anyone help??

 

(p.s. sorry if this is in the wrong place as well..I didn't know where to put it)

[Ynot]

I'm studying for a qualification in technical theatre and need to write about different knots used in theatre, and what their uses are. I've found all the knots online but I just can't find the uses. Just wondering if anyone can help me?

 

I need to know the uses in theatre terms for: reef knot, bow line, clove hitch and trucker's hitch.

<sighs>

Another case of lecturers/teachers giving assignments without providing suitable reference points/materials, I fear.

 

Welcome to the Blue Room, by the way.

 

Essentially, the answer is the same as 'How lnog is a piece of string', unfortunately.

Knots have various uses for various needs. In some cases two knots may be suitable for one need, others only the one will do.

 

I can't (and won't) claim to be the font of all knowledge for this topic - will leave that to the riggers in here, but do wish that those in charge of education these days would realise that just giving out assignments and expecting students to find the answers without directions......

 

(Of course - that assumes this IS the case, and not that it's Sunday and you've not just realised you need to find the info because you've left it a little late ........ <_<)

[Just Some Bloke]

Just to start you off, the great benefit of the clove hitch is that the more weight you put on it the stronger it becomes (up to its SWL, obviously!), thus making it perfect for flying. Thus in hemp houses it would be used to tie the hemp lines to the flying bars, and everywhere it would be used when putting in "spot lines" (lines from the grid put in for a specific purpose then taken out again at the get-out).

[DavidLee]

Just to start you off, the great benefit of the clove hitch is that the more weight you put on it the stronger it becomes (up to its SWL, obviously!), thus making it perfect for flying. Thus in hemp houses it would be used to tie the hemp lines to the flying bars, and everywhere it would be used when putting in "spot lines" (lines from the grid put in for a specific purpose then taken out again at the get-out).

However, on its own a Clove-Hitch is potentially lethal. If all the Clove-Hitches on a bar were to be tied unstopped and the same way round, then the bar could roll out of the hitches and fall. This is why a Clove-Hitch must always be stopped with a Half-Hitch.

 

In my opinion, the principal rule in the theatre is not necessarily to use the "best" knot for any given purpose - as is the case when rigging a Tall-Ship - but to use safe knots where it is immediately obvious if they have been incorrectly tied in an unsafe manner. It's also crucially important that any knot can easily and rapidly be untied even after it has been under load.

 

This is a principle that is commonly forgotten - for example the excruciatingly common use of Over-hand loops for tightening up brailing-lines etc, when an Alpine-Butterfly is a much better knot, obvious when tied correctly and is always readily untieable even after heavy loading.

 

Another invaluable knot that I have never seen used by anyone else is the Midshipmans Hitch. A strong, infinitely adjustable loop that is a breeze to undo.

 

I suspect that many, if not most, theatre technicians are deeply suspicious of simple looking knots and assume that they can't be very strong!

 

David

 

(PS sorry about the original accidental blank post - picked up and hidden by Bryson whilst I was editing it to add some content. Now that's enthusiastic moderation!)

[gareth]

I've often heard it said that you can do pretty much anything you'll ever need to do in a theatre with only three knots - bowline, reef knot, and a clove hitch with a half-hitch or two to stop it.

[Seano]

I've often heard it said that you can do pretty much anything you'll ever need to do in a theatre with only three knots - bowline, reef knot, and a clove hitch with a half-hitch or two to stop it.

 

I don't think I've never used a reef-knot at work. (Unless you count the double slipped version for tying drapes to bars and keeping my shoes on.)

Agree (obviously) that the bowline and clove hitch are indispensible, I use half a dozen other knots very occasionally. (um... trucker's hitch type thing, alpine butterfly, italian (Munter) hitch, fig-8... thats it.. prolly.. Oh: I use a prussik loop now and then - its tied with a double fisherman's knot and I use it to grab things with either a kreuzklem, a klemheist or a french prussik.)

[p.k.roberts]

This seems to another 'please do my homework for me' thread. It took me less than 30" googling to find this info, so why not have another go Sophie.

[Twiselton]

This seems to another 'please do my homework for me' thread. It took me less than 30" googling to find this info, so why not have another go Sophie.

 

I have tried looking and have done most of the research myself I just thought I'd ask on here because most people are in the industry and would probably know about these knots. I also don't understand half of what's written on sites because I've only been studying for a couple of months so I thought I'd ask for help from people who know about it.

 

 

 

 

thanks for your replies though I'll look up those other ones too.

[paulears]

Just remember that the internet is not the only source of information. It's so simple, that very often other types of research don't even get considered. It's also worth noting that the internet is also full of dodgy, innacurate and sometimes misleading information. Books are great. First hand primary research from a real person is best.

 

I'll be very honest. I can't do knots - and I've been doing this lark a long time. I think I know about 3 basic types - two of which I don't even know the names for.

 

I've tried - and can easily follow diagrams - I just forget the damn things. So whenever I have to tie them - I go over the top - erring on the side of safety rather than elegance. I suspect one of my favourites could well be a clove hitch - but doesn't seem quite the same.

 

I live in a town that used to have a fishing fleet (sadly, not a single one left) and got an old fisherman to teach me how to splice ropes - I can still do this bit.

 

I bet you have somebody living near you who can do knots - scouts and guides still do it, I'm told!

[steveo]

I have to agree that in theatre you only need three knows and yes the bowline, reef and clove hitch with a locking half hitch are them. I learnt my knots in the scouts and everyday find them invaluble.

[Dmills]

In my opinion, the principal rule in the theatre is not necessarily to use the "best" knot for any given purpose - as is the case when rigging a Tall-Ship - but to use safe knots where it is immediately obvious if they have been incorrectly tied in an unsafe manner. It's also crucially important that any knot can easily and rapidly be untied even after it has been under load.

 

Actually, those exact same considerations apply to the running rigging on a tall ship!

 

Muppets making off a line on a pin rail with a half hitch is a particular favorite, especially when it is something like a topping lift that is loaded heavily, can be damn near impossible to undo in a hurry.

 

Yea, I sail the things.

 

Regards, Dan.

[Bryson]

Someone taught me the Alpine butterfly a week or so ago, and I'm amazed that I hadn't seen it before. It's so easy to tie, and supremely useful. If you don't know it, you owe it to yourselves to look it up, ASAP.

 

In fact, I've done it for you.

[dbuckley]

I have only three knots at my disposal for all things in life; granny, reef, and what I think is called two half hitches, but I didn't know the name till I just looked it up :D

[Seano]

So, to those of you who list a reef knot as one of the 'musts' for theatre use...

What do you use it for? (Other than shoelaces.)

[Bryson]

Drape ties, for a very large start. Although having said that, there are other ways to tie on drapes that make them a lot easier to strip out again.