Blake's hitch

niceviews

niceviews

Location
Asheville, NC
Blake\'s hitch

So last week I failed my tree climber's exam because the proctor said that I incorrectly tied my blake's hitch, failing the on rope test portion of the test. After coming into work the next monday and inspecting the knot that I tied, my co-workers and I found that I tied a blake's hitch correctly, but tied it as a mirror image of what is in the book(Tree climbers companion). Im attaching a pic of both knots. The top one is how it is tied in the book, the bottom is how I tied it at the test. In my knot I started my first wrap from behind the standing end as opposed to starting it in front of it. At least that is all the difference I can tell. Id love some feedback on if I tied it right or wrong (should I have failed the test based on the way I tied it)
thanks
 

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Re: Blake\'s hitch

Those are both Blake's Hitches. Top is right-hand, bottom is left-hand (viewed from the back side). Exactly the same... just ask a left hander! If you choose to tie a left-hand Blakes on your right, that's your prerogative. That proctor should have recognized that the hitch was tied correctly!
 
Re: Blake\'s hitch

Definitely challenge that decision. This came up during my course as well and it was recognized as a blake's hitch. Lefties revolt!
 
Re: Blake\'s hitch

Hey Hippie... Beranek clearly states in "Fundamentals of Tree Work " that these climbing hitches can all be tied left or right handed... I suggest your "EXAMINER" should buy this book...learn from this book... and eventually reach a point in his learning where he posseses the knowledge to fairly judge others...Till then he can "STFU" ...Dave!
 
Re: Blake\'s hitch

Yup, you got screwed alright. You should have made the proctor walk around to the backside and take another look.

Duh!
 
Re: Blake\'s hitch

Yeah John, we all know how you like to walk around to the backside and take a closer look...
beerchug.gif
 
Re: Blake\'s hitch

The blake's can fool you if you don't tie it just right, resulting in a suicide slip knot. If the last part of the knot as you go down and through doesn't go between the two parts of the rope correctly, the knot doesn't work. It will look right but won't grab. I've seen it when trying to teach people how to tie the knot. Perhaps this is what happened. Did you show him that the knot still worked correctly?
 
Re: Blake\'s hitch

As long as the loaded standing tension part pulls the rotations of the turns/coil empowers the system to pull the bitter end to lock into the host line/ life line, it is good. But, if the standing tension part rotation pulls the bitter end away from locking into the host line properly, then it can unlock/ roll out.

This is not unlike many lacings. The loading is max until reducing frictions that exist in between the standing tension part and the bitter end. So, then the reduced power of the bitter end (after force reducing frictions) is pinched under the maximum tension for maximum security.
 
Re: Blake\'s hitch

The BH, and other htiches I suspect, can be tied in four different, but correct configurations.

Right/left handed and front/back too. It all depends on how the spirals/tucks are made and whether the bar [the diagonal part] crosses in front or behind. All things being equal, all four configurations would work the same.

Come to Dallas in November to retake your CTW test!
 
Re: Blake\'s hitch

I basically tied it left handed. I had already done my on rope test for the secondary proctor(and passed) and was getting ready to untie it when the head proctor told me to stop and messed /untied it himself. I told him that I thought it was the same knot just tied "backwards". I dont know if that was the correct terminology or not, but... So I then tied it 2 more times the same way and he said it was wrong both times.
I regret not staying a few more minutes to try to examine the knot in the book to explain it to him better, but I was pissed so I left. oh well past is in the past.
I wish Dallas was closer, but I think I wont be retaking it until Jan in Augusta, GA unless I can somehow talk someone into letting me take it somewhere sooner, somehow.

Trying not to let the man hold me down
nich
 
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