the zeppelin bend










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The Zeppelin Bend is a knot that can connect two ropes. It is also known under different names, such as the Rosendahl Bend. Although it can join ropes of

different materials, no bend will work successfully if attempting to join vastly different diameters and alternate methods of tying may have to be used. It is

easy to tie and a secure jam proof method of tying. When tied it has a symmetrical appearance, as if there are four strands radiating from the centre.

An article by L & B Payne “The Forgotten Zeppelin Knot” in Boating Magazine (March 1976) revealed how this knot was used until 1962 by the US Navy

to tether its air ships. Able seaman Joe Collins, a marlinespike seamanship instructor in the 1930s, told the Paynes that he had served under the American

aeronaut hero Lieutenant Commander Charles Rosendahl: “There was only one knot he allowed... either for bending lines together on the airship or for use

on the mooring lines. I called it the Rosendahl bend.”


It is described as being 75% in breakage strength and an ideal method to tie bed sheets together for a jailbreak.





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