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windjunkie · Joined: 19 Nov 2003 Posts: 86

Has anyone ever tied a monkey fist? I like to use it to tension sails such as on a rok. I have used it on a crossdeck also (not a good sewn kite, one of the first kites I tried to make).

I have 5 of them in a row on my keychain.
There are several sites to see how to make one. Ex: http://131.230.57.1/knots/m_fista.htm
Windjunkie
_________________
If we had enough string, I bet it would fly...

knotronda · Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2004 1:01 am Post subject:

Yeah, but if you're not careful, the monkey bites! Just kidding.

Anyway, because I battle with my roks, I don't like anything hanging loose that my opponents line can catch and flip me. So, I tension my roks with a sliding knot such as a tautline hitch. But, I am now using a double prussik on each end of the tensioning line and attaching it to the cross spar. To bow the spar, I just slide the prussik knot toward the tip until I have the amount of bow I want.

For classroom kites, I use a button on the tensioning line. That way I don't have to teach knots to students that are knot-impaired.

Oh well, I've probably thrown a 'monkey wrench' into the works by posting to your question. So, the answer to your original question for me would be: I have never tied a monkey fist. It sounds as if it would be a fun thing to know about. I will try to find a sample and instructions and will get back to you.

gotta go. dinner is no longer hot.

knot(ty)ronda

windjunkie · Joined: 19 Nov 2003 Posts: 86

I'm sorry Ronda, I know how to tie them, but was just wondering if anyone else knew how. I have not seen them on any kites at any festivals. I can understand how they would be detrimental in a rok battle, but for leisure flying, it works great, and no worries about the prussik slipping. Thanks
Windjunkie
_________________
If we had enough string, I bet it would fly...

knotronda · Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2004 1:13 am Post subject:

We had a few discussions on fun types of knots to tie at the end of line and the monkey fist was discussed. This happened at OKR a few weekends ago. I think your use of it is creative and interesting as an added touch for 'craftsmanship' judging. Just because I wouldn't use it on a battle kite does not mean I would never use it. You have given me food for thought about another knot to show off.

Speaking of food, my dinner is really, really, really cold now. Gotta go this time for sure. Talk to you later (but not too later),

knot(ty)ronda

The use of the correct knot could save your life!

KiteSquid · Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2004 8:15 am Post subject:

I have never tied a monky fist, but I have thrown many of them.

While in the Navy I was Line captain for line 4 on one of my ships.

The heaving lines were about 1/2" cotton and had a 4 or so pound lead cube in the monky fist.

I remember one time a guy throwing his heaving line and taking out the windshield on the Captain's Car that was parked on the dock. Shocked

The Navy now uses an International Orange plastic ball so it will not hurt sombody on the recieiving end...

I have always wanted to tye a monkey fist for a key lanyard.

I have done some fancy work tho....

on the spines of my rokkakus, I have a velcro tensioner...

New thread started about "What knot? Where?"
_________________
VR/
KiteSquid
AKA TakoIka
AKA Harold
King George VA

P.S. Yet another post by the Squid..... Shocked

Doesent he ever shut up???

P.P.S. The wind is like the air, only pushier.

KiteSquid · Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2004 9:00 am Post subject:

WindJunkie,

BTW, I just noticed that you used what looks like a hard wood nock!!!!

Great work!!!!

What did you fill your monkey fist with? I assume a glass marble or a plastic ball of some kind....
_________________
VR/
KiteSquid
AKA TakoIka
AKA Harold
King George VA

P.S. Yet another post by the Squid..... Shocked

Doesent he ever shut up???

P.P.S. The wind is like the air, only pushier.

windjunkie · Joined: 19 Nov 2003 Posts: 86

Squid,

THANKS!! Have you every played with or seen one of the chinese slot machines? The "ball bearing" type pieces that are used in them is what the monkey fist contains. Just the right size for three wrap sides on the knot.
The wooden knock is hand whittled. First took a block of poplar, drilled a hole big enough to receive the spar, then "caressed" the wood to the final shape. Didn't take very long to do, as poplar is a soft wood, and shapes easily.
It was a hoot to see the judges faces at the fair. They didn't know what to think about the whole affair.

Windjunkie
_________________
If we had enough string, I bet it would fly...

Stan · Joined: 18 Nov 2003 Posts: 762 Location: San Diego

Pachinko!

Haven't played that in ages!

Stan

KiteSquid · Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2004 7:38 am Post subject:

While in Japan I walked into a Pachinco parlor for a second and the noise drove me out quickly!!!!!!

So you are using Pachinco balls.... Steel and metric sized too...

It looks like you are using hollow core dacron line to tye you Monkey Fist too as it looks to me like the line has flattened out some too...

Four turns each direction.

How did you end it?

I would have rove the bitter end into the inside of the standing part of the line, and put a couple of stitches thru it to lock it in place.
_________________
VR/
KiteSquid
AKA TakoIka
AKA Harold
King George VA

P.S. Yet another post by the Squid..... Shocked

Doesent he ever shut up???

P.P.S. The wind is like the air, only pushier.

smarties · Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2004 10:06 pm Post subject:

Just as a curiosity, I did a monkey fist today with a marble inside. That's a pretty neat knot. I could use this to hide messages when I do a treasure hunting for the kids.

Smarties Razz