Telescope Reviews: Webbing knots for neckstraps/casestraps

Nylon tubular or flat webbing neckstraps are more comfortable than leather or vinyl. They are also easier to store, stronger, and more durable.

Webbing is now widely used in dog leashes, baggage straps, and for lashing loads. It has been used for sailboat toestraps and as lifting slings in mountaineering.

Most , but not all, of the well-known(?) knots for round cord or rope, are not suited to webbing. The best-known webbing knot is the waterknot or tape knot. A Google will link to a video of tying this knot.

I discovered, and purchased at REI, a book which shows, in 191 color pages, many knots, including how to tie 15 knots for webbing, and lists several general knots which are also useful for webbing. Those general knots include the overhand, the rolling hitch, the anchor bend ( which I have just yesterday used for a binocular which came strapless. I tied an anchor bend to each attachment point. A continuous loop, through each attachment opening, joined with one waterknot, is another option there.), which is good for cases, the harness bend, the pedigree cow hitch, the ring hitch, the reever bend, and the figure 8 loop.

I have not found a local source for webbing narrower than 1/2 inch, but it exists in dog leashes. 1/2 inch webbing can be passed through openings narrower than 1/2 inch, as its shape flexes.

The book is KNOTS, by Geoffrey Budworth, from HarperCollins, www.collins.co.uk, or www.harpercollins.com

UK ISBN -10: 0-00-719979-1 or ISBN -13: 978-0-00-719979-2

US ISBN -10: 0-06-089066-5 or ISBN-13: -0-06-089066

One knot ,for general use in rope, is absent: the Trucker's Hitch or Lorryman's Hitch. Why is it not presented? It is useful for 2:1 compound tensioning of lashings . I have used it many times . It does have the problem that the abrasion in the rope junctions can cause wear, and lead eventually to failure if the same portions of the rope are used repeatedly.