Sheepshank Knot

The Sheepshank Knot is used to shorten a rope or isolate a damaged section without cutting it out.

But let’s be honest: it’s not exactly one of the most reliable knots.

It can fail when there’s no tension in the rope or when used with modern synthetic ropes like Nylon.

So, why bother learning it?

Well, it’s a classic knot and if you’re in Boys Scout you must know how to tie this knot.

Let’s learn it in detail.

How to Tie a Sheepshank Knot

The Sheepshank Knot is an easy knot to tie.

You just make the double loop in the rope and tie a Half Hitch at each end. Then, pull the free ends and tighten the knot.

1. Make two opposite-facing bights with your rope.
2. Make an underhand loop from the slack in the rope.
3. Feed the bight through the loop on the left and the right.
4. Pull both ends to tighten the knot.

Alternative Method: Parlor Method

This is one of the sailor’s standard tricks to tie the Sheepshank Knot.

1. Make three loops in the rope.
2. Overlap the three loops.
3. Pull the ropes as shown in the slider to tighten the knot.

Pro TIP

Need additional security? Add the Marlinespike Hitch at either end of the rope instead of Half hitches.

Ashley describes that the Sheepshank with the Marlinespike Hitch is the safest of the Sheepshank knots. 

He also advises seizing or securing the ends to secure the knot.

Application and Uses

The Sheepshank knot is used for

•  Shortening a piece of a rope.
• Taking up a slack in a rope.
• Isolating a damaged section of the rope. However, we recommend the Alpine Butterfly Knot for this.
• As a part of the Trucker’s Hitch to secure loads on trucks and trailers.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Easy to tie and untie
• Works best with coarser ropes

Cons

• Not as secure and should not be used with critical applications
• Can come undone when tension is removed
• Fails even under moderate load when used with modern synthetic materials
• Difficult to pass under blocks and sheaves
• Hard to tie under load

Other Variations

Kamikaze Knot

The Kamikaze Knot is tied similar to the Sheepshank Knot but the middle section is spliced using a knife.

It’s used when rappelling down the cliff.

 When you have reached the bottom, you can shake the rope to untie the knot.

Check it out here and read out the discussion about this knot on this forum.

Man-o’war Sheepshank

The Man-o’ War sheepshank is a Sheepshank knot variation with a Handcuff Knot at the center and two half hitches at either end of the rope.

It is also known as the Fireman’s Chair knot which is used in search and rescue operations.

Bell Ringer’s Knot

In the Bell Ringer’s Knot, a single bight is raised and the standing part above is half hitched around it.

It’s used to keep the rope belfry deck when the bell ringer is not in use.

Frequently Asked Question

Is Sheepshank a Secure Knot?

No. It’s not a secure knot. 

The Sheepshank Knot is unstable and can spill if tension is lost.

Its efficiency is around 45-50%.

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