Traditional knots for snares (not wire)

[woodcraftwanderings]

Hi

99.9% of people may view this as a silly question and say any noose knot such as a Honda, Poacher, running bowline would all work fine, and i can see their point. However, does anyone have any references to the types of knots traditional used to create a snare out of natural fibres in different Aboriginal cultures i.e. not a wire snare, but a snare made from plant materials etc. The reason for asking is that when using natural fibres the type of knot used greatly effects the overall strength of the snare, also i would like to know if traditional snares were free running or locking?

As always thanks in advance

 

[BOD]

Good question. I have pictures of aboriginal snares and knots and will dig them out for you. May take a while though. PM if you get impatient.

What I notice is that the knots are less complex and generally avoid the sharp bends that "modern" knots and slippery fibres seem to need.

Natural materials have more friction and hold better. A clove hitch with a load only on one side will usually hold even if the strain comes on and off repeatedly.

 

[wattsy]

clove hitches are designed to hold from just one side though even with modern materials

 

[Satyr]

You could try a figure of 8 on the bight as it lowers the strenght of the rope by only 20% or so and most other knots are higher.