Sheepshank

Animated Sheepshank

  • The Sheepshank is a shortening knot, which enables a rope to be shortened non-destructively.

  • The knot is only really secure under tension, it will fall apart when slack. (See tip below.)

  • Tip. Use up to five half hitches each end of the Sheepshank to make the knot more secure, and for fine tuning the shortening.

  • Tip. Never cut ropes to shorten them! Always use a shortening knot such as the Sheepshank, or coil the excess.