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  1. #1
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    Fisherman's knot for Amsteel?

    I want to make small chain links from Amsteel for making a Dutch 'whoopie hook' mod to my web and buckle suspension. To get the proper 'bury' my chain links will end up to be at least 8" long. I would like to get smaller than that. Will using a fisherman's knot to make small loops degrade the amsteel to the point it is not safe for suspension? Will the fisherman's knot hold without slipping?
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  2. #2
    Senior Member dragon360's Avatar
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    As far as I remember (and still have available) Brandon from Warbonnet used double fishermans on his loops for his buckle suspension. Still using mine to this day no hassles
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  3. #3
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    I have seen figures as low as 35% of the listed minimum breaking strength for a double fisherman's knot in amsteel type ropes.

    With that said, 35% of the listed minimum breaking strength for 7/64" amsteel blue is 490 lbs and the forces will be split evenly between the two legs of the loop.

    At 185 lbs, I also have used amsteel continuous loops made with a double fisherman's knot in hammock suspensions. Whenever possible, I use spliced loops now.

  4. #4
    Senior Member Bubba's Avatar
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    I've used amsteel loops made with double and triple fisherman's knots for a few years now. Even though I've never had a problem, that's not to say it'll never happen. I remember reading about one instance where a double fisherman's knot slipped but haven't read abour any breaking. I'll continue to use them though.
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  5. #5
    Member G Maurice's Avatar
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    Triple surgeons knot or a grapevine bend for amsteel.

    The knot to use if you're make a continuous loop is a triple surgeons knot. Amsteel may slip with just a double knot. Here is a link that illustrates the knot and talks about strength etc. This knot is used by climbers a lot. I figured I'd they think this knot doesn't degrade cord strength that much its good enough for me. I used to do a lot of fishing and the knot never failed under stress. The line broke somewhere else. I think the key is when this knot is tied properly the pull is in the direction of how the knot is tied, reducing stress. Additionally the bends or loops go around two parallel lengths of cord so the bends aren't that tight.

    Also if your putting a loop at the end of a length of amsteel you'll want to use a surgeons loop knot for the same reasons as above. The second link below illustrates this knot.

    Triple surgeon Knot
    http://www.animatedknots.com/doublef...matedknots.com

    Surgeon Loop Knot
    http://www.animatedknots.com/surgeon...matedknots.com
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  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by G Maurice View Post
    ...This knot is used by climbers a lot. I figured I'd they think this knot doesn't degrade cord strength that much its good enough for me....
    That's true for conventional ropes, but not with ropes constructed of high modulus fibers like amsteel. See the charts on page 17 of this document to see the effect of knots in both type of ropes.

    To be clear, I'm happy to use knotted amsteel loops and am aware of their limitations.

  7. #7
    Member G Maurice's Avatar
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    Rope strength degradation

    Interesting, but even at 35% that's still a very large safety margin. Think I'll sleep without any worries.
    "The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness." John Muir

  8. #8
    Senior Member Richard Tipton's Avatar
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    Why not just splice it? I'm a knot junkie but splicing amsteel is way more fun. Sorry, I didn't read all the OP. Bowing out gracefully.........
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