Get Knotted!

     Knowing the difference between a hitch and a bend and learning to splice was all part of Scouting when I was growing up. Making a neat back-splice was satisfying but I didn't get much beyond the basics. Knowing how to make a good long-splice is a valuable skill for one looking after bell ropes. Alas I never went to sea but knowing how to make a proper square knot (or reef knot), make a figure of eight and tie sheet bends the correct way was handy the few times I went sailing with friends in a gaff rigged converted 23' whaler.