in your opinion what are the best knots

warl0ck1

Mind the Hat!
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Jul 24, 2005
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I think the question is self explanatory I want to know what your feeling are on the best knots to use when securing someone both for form and function.
 
Yay, a rope question...

Although I'm usually the do_ee, not the do_er...

My default anchor knot is a half hitched slip, sometimes on a reef base, depending on whether I have plans to change M/M's position radically or not.
It's fast to tie, doesn't come undone when pulled on and if aything goes wrong, very quick to undo. It doesn't use alot of length, so I have plenty of play left to get as elaborate as I like on M/M.

Running bowlines look pretty against skin.
A close series of full hitches gives a chain like appearance that is just yummy.
Then there is using the ring off a gag as a central point on the torso to create a lovely cross between dreamcatcher and spiderweb effect. Although this is very time consuming and is more for my voyeristic pleasure and the ritualistic feel of it for me.

Mostly I'd say I'm still learning. I'm reasonably new to the PYL side, so I tend to rely more on other, easier types of restraints. But I will learn more. Maybe a local rope workshop if I ever get the time...
 
am I thinking to much into this. there are different knots that are for different things I made the assumption that it works the same way for people.
 
Yay, a rope question...

Although I'm usually the do_ee, not the do_er...

My default anchor knot is a half hitched slip, sometimes on a reef base, depending on whether I have plans to change M/M's position radically or not.
It's fast to tie, doesn't come undone when pulled on and if aything goes wrong, very quick to undo. It doesn't use alot of length, so I have plenty of play left to get as elaborate as I like on M/M.

Running bowlines look pretty against skin.
A close series of full hitches gives a chain like appearance that is just yummy.
Then there is using the ring off a gag as a central point on the torso to create a lovely cross between dreamcatcher and spiderweb effect. Although this is very time consuming and is more for my voyeristic pleasure and the ritualistic feel of it for me.

Mostly I'd say I'm still learning. I'm reasonably new to the PYL side, so I tend to rely more on other, easier types of restraints. But I will learn more. Maybe a local rope workshop if I ever get the time...

thank you I appreciate the comments I am looking for some variations that will photograph well as well as be functional the half hitch is really easy and smooth .
 
I just discovered the coin knot via knottyboys.com which is very pretty and lays nice and flat.
 
why am I not surprised you posted Stella as usual you have come to my aid. I thank you.:rose:

check out the downloads page on that site!

I don't do rope for photos-- but if I did, the info in those vids would keep my camera just a clicking!
 
am I thinking to much into this. there are different knots that are for different things I made the assumption that it works the same way for people.

You are correct that there are definately knots that are functional and that there are different knots for different purposes.

But for alot of people, myself included, there is something just a little special about your PYL taking that small amount of extra time to tie you into their own work of art. There's a focus to it that helps with my mindset in either capacity.

I'm not really turned on by super elaborate set ups that take more than 15 minutes. I get impatient after that. But something simple and beautiful is always appreciated.

The person you really want to talk to is Homburg.
 
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I just discovered the coin knot via knottyboys.com which is very pretty and lays nice and flat.

This is a great site. :D I've been to it before in my quest to learn more. But I just can't follow diagrams for some reason (I bought the book), and usually end up with something that looks like a chewed kitten yarn ball. :confused::rolleyes:
 
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I agree with Knot sweet in that the main knots I use are the bowline (just for distributing weight), coin knots (for securing a knot that doesn't move in either direction and changing the direction of rope) as well as half-hitches for adjusting the length of free rope one has.

Of these (in my opinion), the coin knot looks the best. One great way to make a knot "Pop" is to mix the colors of rope used. Attached is a favorite of mine, a coin knot with both black and white bootlace (left loose for aesthetics).

W~
 
Thanks for continuing with all of he replys they are very helpful. I have gone to Two Knotty boys and have been viewing the downloads thank good I am a fly fisherman or I would have been lost from the get go.
 
I've been reading up on rope bondage and decided to test the somerville bowline (which has previously been unknown to me) against a regular bowline with yosemite finish.

The somerville walked a lot more than the yosemite finish. I also noticed that the somerville is much prettier and compact. I'm wondering if safety is being traded for aesthetics.

I've also noticed that nobody in bondage uses backup knots. WTF
 
lol, honestly, we're usually rather...impromptu with our knots. or, rather, he is. I usually have a method to my madness, but I never get to tie things up *sniffle*
 
I've also noticed that nobody in bondage uses backup knots. WTF

This is actually why I prefer to use hard knots as opposed to half knots (which I associate with shibari). A hard knot is far more likely to stay tied whereas a half knot is more likely to slip.

Unless I am doing suspension work though, I don't use back up knots because the knots are intended to be for play and are NOT supporting or a single points of failure.

W~
 
I spent half my night watching knots being tied and dreamed about them last night. not sexy dreams either just instructional videos in my dreams. I am going to be testing a number of knot and add them to some I already know to see which works better for me. I thank you all for your input.
 
This is actually why I prefer to use hard knots as opposed to half knots (which I associate with shibari). A hard knot is far more likely to stay tied whereas a half knot is more likely to slip.

Unless I am doing suspension work though, I don't use back up knots because the knots are intended to be for play and are NOT supporting or a single points of failure.

W~

Good point, though my test wasn't for suspension it was for struggle. Taut, slack, taut, slack, taut, etc. Most of the knots I've seen in bondage can't cut it at all.

It's likely less of an issue for suspensions, not sure.
 
I spent half my night watching knots being tied and dreamed about them last night. not sexy dreams either just instructional videos in my dreams. I am going to be testing a number of knot and add them to some I already know to see which works better for me. I thank you all for your input.

I think those Jap guys get away with using all hitches because of the type of rope they use. It really grips hold on itself and cinches tight.

To find out what knots would work best, I think the first question should really be what type of rope are you using?
 
Right now I have nylon. It was 3/4 when I bought it, but I boiled the fuck out of it-- now it's more like 5/8 and supple as hell... Not as slippery as it was at first, either.
 
I think those Jap guys get away with using all hitches because of the type of rope they use. It really grips hold on itself and cinches tight.

To find out what knots would work best, I think the first question should really be what type of rope are you using?

The numbers I have seen are that Jute and Hemp will stretch about 3-6% whereas nylon with stretch about 12 to 16%. Hemp and Jute definitely provide a superior "grip", but it also becomes a factor when it is coming into direct contact with skin for any length of time.

W~
 
right now I am using nylon it is what I know and I think there is a better selection for colors in my area at least. some of what I am doing this for will be for the best visual but I am looking to replace or at least minimize my use of other restraints.
 
right now I am using nylon it is what I know and I think there is a better selection for colors in my area at least. some of what I am doing this for will be for the best visual but I am looking to replace or at least minimize my use of other restraints.

Nylon takes dye beautifully, by the way. Sucks it in like a hoover. Just the inexpensive RIT dye. :)
 
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