Joins two poles with other ends apart as shear legs.
Lashing Knot – Shear
Joins two poles with other ends apart as shear legs.
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Tie a clove hitch around one pole. Wrap both poles with a simple lashing. Wrap the lashing with a two or three tight frapping turns. Tie off the end with a clove hitch. Spread the poles to make shear legs
Use: The Shear Lashing Knot (ABOK # 2108 – 2110, p 342.) is used to lash the ends of two poles together. The other ends are separated to make a pair of Shear Legs.
Spelling: The Shear Lashing Knot is widely spelled both “Shear” and “Sheer”. There seems to be little agreement and some writers use both on the same page. “Shear” was selected here because it was Ashley’s choice.
Tying it: The two poles are laid side-by-side and an initial Clove Hitch is tied round one pole. A Round Lashing is then tied around the two poles near one end. Then two or three Frapping turns are tied binding the lashing turns tightly. Starting these turns can be awkward. It is sometimes necessary to spread the legs apart to open up the poles to make it possible. The Lashing is completed with another Clove Hitch. The other ends of the poles are then separated to make a pair of Shear Legs.
Use: Shear legs support weight. A single pair can be controlled with a rope as they lean over a stream to lift a bucket. A series of them can support an aerial walkway.
Frapping Turns: The turns surrounding the lashing at right angles exert a tightening effect on the Shear Lashing Knot. These turns are known as Frapping Turns. Pulling them as tight as possible makes the Lashing more secure. Various techniques are recommended but I’m indebted to Dana Holgate for the following. Make use of your leg-strength. Wrap the rope around a stick. Stand on the poles being lashed with your knees bent, hold the stick across your thighs, and then straighten your legs to tighten the lashing.
