Clove hitch and constrictor

[Biddlesby]

I learnt (what I think is) the clove hitch from instruction, and I tried tying a constrictor from a diagram but the problem is they both look exactly the same. I'm not sure which I am tying! Any help?

Cheers

 

[Goose]

The constrictor knot starts as a clove hitch then the working end passes over and under again. A clove hitch has two pieces parallel around your post(or whatever) with a diagonal line across the top of them both, take the working end(probably shortest) and pass it over and under the opposite piece then pull tight!
You are effectively tying a half hitch( the knot you start a shoelace with) under the diagonal piece.
A lot easier to show than explain
There are a couple of ways of making the knot so someone else may have a different technique

 

[mark a.]

As Goose says, it's easier to show rather than explain:
The Clove Hitch
The Constrictor Knot

The constrictor is a clove hitch with the end tucked under the knot to jam it tight.

Mark

 

[Buckshot]

Nice site Mark :You_Rock_

 

[mark a.]

I can't claim credit for that one, I'm afraid - someone on here pointed it out first. But it's certainly a really useful site.

 

[Goose]

I can't claim credit for that one, I'm afraid - someone on here pointed it out first. But it's certainly a really useful site.

Me! But I forgot about it

 

[Minotaur]

A nice pdf and even has a slip constrictor.

www.ropeworks.biz/reader/constric.pdf

I like the constrictor over the clove hitch because the clove hitch tends to come undone unless tension is keep on both ends.

 

[risby]

You are effectively tying a half hitch( the knot you start a shoelace with) under the diagonal piece.

I hope this doesn't start a flame war among knot specialists but ...

isn't a shoelace bow a doubly slipped reef knot?

 

[Keith_Beef]

I hope this doesn't start a flame war among knot specialists but ...

isn't a shoelace bow a doubly slipped reef knot?

It depends which shoelace bow you use...

I use one knot for most of my shoes, another knot for my son's shoes, a third knot for my boat shoes (a thick, square section leather lace) and a fourth for some of my boots.

Keith.

 

[risby]

It depends which shoelace bow you use...

I use one knot for most of my shoes, another knot for my son's shoes, a third knot for my boat shoes (a thick, square section leather lace) and a fourth for some of my boots.

Keith.

I may regret this but ...

which knots are your bows? or are they your own inventions?

 

[Goose]

I hope this doesn't start a flame war among knot specialists but ...

isn't a shoelace bow a doubly slipped reef knot?

Probably, but so many knots have different names and some names apply to more than one knot I don't worry too much about names.
It is a bit of running joke that my climbing partners shoelaces kept coming undone, not good for confidence , then we realised he was tying a slipped granny knot rather than a slipped reef it does make a difference!
For Americans, reef knot=square knot.

 

[mark a.]

Me! But I forgot about it

Ah, cheers Goose!