amsteel carabiners using a diamond knot

[MacEntyre]

...any problem with the clove hitch locking up after it's been loaded?

Not with Amsteel. However, my fingers are like claws... I can usually get a knife knot untied without cutting.

I use the single Marlin splice (pass through to make loop) like a regular nacrabiner... it's just that I like the clove hitch, not that I prefer it.

[TeeDee]

Just in case anyone is interested, I just found the Diamond Knot/Lanyard knot in ABOK ("Ashley Book of Knots" for uninitiated ).

Ashley calls it the Sailor's Knife Lanyard Knot, the Marlingspike Lanyard Knot, Single-Strand Diamond Knot, Two-Strand Diamond Knot and Bosun's Whistle Knot.

A rather curious and self-contradictory naming string.

Page 141, #787.

[MacEntyre]

I've been using #781, Two Strand Diamond Knot, on the previous page... a bit simpler than #787, feels just as secure. Haven't load tested it yet.

[GvilleDave]

Anybody who can create a locking loop that centered perfectly enough on the line to equally load both legs is a miracle worker. I'm just not that accurate with my diamond knot so one leg always ends up much more heavily loaded.

I found that if I use the locking loop but before I tie the diamond knot I cinch down the locking loop around a double strand of the same cord I am using for the nacrabiner then I am able to make the legs even when loaded. I sometimes have to work the strands on the biner as I tighten the knot to make sure they stay even. FWIW

[jeepcachr]

Might be wise to make those with the locking loop on the other end, as the nacrabiner does (like so: http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery...php?i=6170&c=4 ). I don't think those would hold very securely without it....

One nice thing about not using the locking loop to make these is you can use them for lots of other things like a prussick knot or you could chain them to add length.

It would be interesting to see which failed first if load tested, the one with the locking thru the rope loop or these with a clove hitch. I would guess based on Amsteel's recent testing of the whoopie sling that it would be the nacrabiner.

[brmeadows]

I googled "diamond knot", and found a number of videos, of which the most helpful was:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tn4dLvaiCEM

This video is the Josephine knot.