Difference between a sheet bend and a bowline…..not much is it?

So when would you use one over the other?

SB

Use a bowline to tie a loop in the end of a rope.
Use a sheet bend to join two ropes together.

I think.

Isn’t a sheet bend for joining two ropes of different thickness, and a bowline is used to tie a rope round yourself when dangling off a cliff – no need to take your hand off the rope.

what he said.
bowline for fixed loop, or a lifeline if you’re a diver
sheet bend can be difficult to undo after being under load.

Thanks dudes, I know that, but, bearing in mind what they are both used for, their pros and cons, what they look like when tied……what’s the definitive difference?

Join two ropes…either will work.
Ropes of different size…either will work.
Undo even when tight…either will work.
Tie one handed while hanging on…either will work.

So?…………….

You can break the back of a bowline making it a relatively easy knot to undo after loading.

Joining two ropes by a bowline will allow the ropes to rub against/cut into each other (as its not easy to get the loops tight). The sheet bend prevents this.

A Bowline weakens the line by about 50%, there are better ones out there.

double fisherman’s for joining two ropes by preference. works equally well for differernt diameters.
can be very difficult to untie once set though.

re-threaded figure of eight for a fixed loop. best, but a PITA.

bowline – i always tie this while telling myself the story* about the rabbit going round the tree and into the burrow…

*i have recently learned to do this silently, to my self.

Still waiting for the definitive answer….. 🙂

I’m not sure a bowline works with two different ropes does it? The knot relies on the both sides of the loop being loaded to hold.

Likewise, the sheet bend doesn’t work when tying a loop like a bowline, as the pull on both sides of the loop will pull the knot apart.

So, the bowline is for tying a loop, and the sheet bend for tying two ropes where the pull is on each rope in opposite directions.

Still waiting for the definitive answer…..

on STW?

I love knots.

My favourite is a highwayman’s hitch.

[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m50vmv28ngI[/video]

I tried to find a video for a lorryman’s hitch, but since the introduction of the ratchet strap no one but me uses it any more.

There a link to a knot app here
http://www.animatedknots.com/knotlist.php?Categ=home&LogoImage=LogoGrog.jpg&Website=www.animatedknots.com