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.
