Somerville Bowline Double Column [Level 1]

  There are 6 techniques you should learn before this one. Click here to add this tie as a goal and see them in order.

Comments

  1. userpic
    pleasedonotstop | Dec 25th, 2016 4:11pm PST #

    Hi ! Thank you for the (as always) great explanations. I was taught another version of the Somerville Double Column and I was wondering what you thought about it. Basically, before getting the bight in the loop, we first go around the ropes with the bight to form the cuff (what you call going 'all the way', at 1:35, except we do it first and there is no loop yet). Afterwards, everything else is exactly like the Somerville single, we put the bight in the loop, etc. The method is simpler (because it's exactly the same as the single bowline except for this one step of forming the cuff), the knot is smaller and the central cuff is only made by one double rope. I was wondering what are the pros and cons of each method.

    Reply to this comment

    1. userpic
      Topologist | Dec 26th, 2016 3:56pm PST #

      This is a very interesting question! In a few minutes of playing with it, I can see 3 subtly different ways to tie something like what you describe, each with some benefits and drawbacks. The most straightforward interpretation I can find, and the one which completely re-used my hand motions for a normal Somerville Bowline, results in a knot that seems to me to be not nearly so stable as a normal Somerville Bowline. Taking the same approach, but routing the bight on the opposite side of the cinch for its final pass through the cuff, I get a knot that appears to have all the normal properties of a Somerville Bowline, but is substantially off-center relative to the cinch. The version I like best involved forming the loop of the Somerville facing the "wrong" way around the line going down into the cinch, then coming back up through the loop (on the same side of the top wraps) when returning from the back of the cuff. That variation appears to me to have all the structural benefits of my standard approach -- however, I don't think it's any simpler or more compact, and it gets less re-use of muscle memory from the single column SB.

      I imagine there are other variations in a similar vein that I haven't thought of, so I'd be keen to see exactly what you've been doing.

      Reply to this comment

    2. userpic
      pleasedonotstop | Jan 4th, 2017 1:57am PST #

      Hi ! I'll be happy to send you a short video of what I am doing if you give me an email address !

      Reply to this comment

      1. userpic
        Veiledaiel | Aug 13th, 2017 12:47pm PDT #

        If Topologist doesn't mind, I'd love to see that @pleasedontstop

        Reply to this comment

      2. userpic
        FuzzBuzz | Sep 17th, 2018 2:55am PDT #

        Embedded video link is broken; still points to old YouTube video instead of Vimeo.

        Reply to this comment

        1. userpic
          cortstar | Feb 15th, 2020 4:55pm PST #

          Is there a way to increase the tightness around the wrists slightly?

          Reply to this comment

          1. userpic
            Topologist | Mar 4th, 2020 4:05pm PST #

            Tie the wrists closer together, and/or make the cinch tighter. You can also adjust the tightness of the cinch after the tie is complete by slipping some slack through the loop between the free end of the bight and the cuff.

            In situations where the wrists are necessarily far apart, you may want to use a bar tie instead. While I don't have a video showing it, you can do a Somerville Bowline based bar tie if you've got a long enough bight; just only go through the loop for the first and last wraps.

            Reply to this comment

          You must sign in to comment. It is free to create an account.

          We apologize for the hassle, but it is necessary to require accounts in order to prevent spam without employing 3rd-party services that could compromise your privacy. No personal information is required to create an account.