Editing Knot (section)

==Knot tying==
{{Unreferenced section|date=January 2011}}
[[image:AshleyBook.jpg|thumb|right|[[The Ashley Book of Knots]] is considered the definitive work on the topic]]

Knot tying consists of the techniques and skills employed in tying a knot in [[rope]], [[nylon webbing]], or other articles. The proper tying of a knot can be the difference between an attractive knot and a messy one, and occasionally life and death. It is important to understand the often subtle differences between what works, and what does not. For example, many knots "spill" or pull through, particularly if they are not "backed up," usually with a single or double overhand knot to make sure the end of the rope does not make its way through the main knot, causing all strength to be lost.

===Difficulty===
The tying of a knot may be very straightforward (such as with an [[overhand knot]]), or it may be more complicated, such as a [[monkey's fist]] knot. Tying knots correctly requires an understanding of the type of material being tied (string, [[Rope|cord]], [[monofilament line]], [[kernmantle rope]], or nylon webbing). For example, cotton string may be very small and easy to tie with much internal friction to keep it from falling apart once tied, while stiff 5/8" thick kernmantle rope will be very difficult to tie, and may be so slick as to tend to come apart once tied.

===Material===
The form of the material will influence the tying of a knot as well. Rope is round in cross-section, and has little dependence upon the manner in which the material is tied. Nylon webbing, on the other hand, is flat, and usually "tubular" in construction, meaning that it is spiral-woven, and has a hollow core. In order to retain as much of the strength as possible with webbing, the material must be tied "flat" such that parallel sections do not cross, and that the sections of webbing are not twisted when they cross each other within a knot.

The crossing of strands is important when dealing with round rope in other knots; for example, the [[figure-eight loop]] loses strength when strands are crossed while the knot is being "finished" and tightened. Moreover, the [[standing end]] or the end from which the hauling will be done must have the greater radius of curvature in the finished knot to maximize the strength of the knot.

===Tools===
Tools are sometimes employed in the finishing or untying of a knot, such as a [[fid]], a tapered piece of wood that is often used in splicing. With the advent of [[wire rope]], many other tools are used in the tying of "knots." However, for cordage and other non-metallic appliances, the tools used are generally limited to sharp edges or blades such as a [[sheepsfoot blade]], occasionally a fine needle for proper whipping of [[laid rope]], a hot cutter for nylon and other synthetic fibers, and (for larger ropes) a shoe for smoothing out large knots by rolling them on the ground.