8 Oct
2015
8 Oct
'15
12:01 a.m.
Tying (ahem) two threads together, the cited paper and the "fisherman's knot" ignore an issue crucial to fishermen. Fishing line (and "leaders") are rated by breaking strength (e.g., 25 lb test). But if you tie the line to anything using an ordinary knot, it will typically break at the knot well short of 25 lbs of tension, because the knot pinches and cuts the line. My father always used a barrel knot. --rwg