West Coast Custom Rod ShowWest Coast Custom Rod Show

TurksheadsTurksheads and Cord Gripsand Cord GripsPresented byPresented by

Ken Bush (The Bushman)Ken Bush (The Bushman)

Definition: What is a Definition: What is a TurksheadTurkshead??

•• A decorative knot, usually made of a single A decorative knot, usually made of a single strand. Consists ofstrand. Consists of

•• BightsBights (Scalloped bends at the end of the knot (Scalloped bends at the end of the knot where the cord exits and returns to the body where the cord exits and returns to the body of the knot.) and of the knot.) and LeadsLeads. (The number of . (The number of strands that make up the width of the knot)strands that make up the width of the knot)

•• Useful for decorative work, and covering Useful for decorative work, and covering handles and grips, covering cylindrical objects, handles and grips, covering cylindrical objects, and other practical purposes.and other practical purposes.

Materials:Materials:

•• Rope and Cord, Nylon, Nylon Seine Rope and Cord, Nylon, Nylon Seine Twine (twisted), Nylon Seine twine Twine (twisted), Nylon Seine twine (braided), Poly, Hemp, Cotton, Dacron(braided), Poly, Hemp, Cotton, Dacron

•• Size. 1/16, 1/8”, 3/16”, 1/4”, #31Size. 1/16, 1/8”, 3/16”, 1/4”, #31--#35#35

Cotton TwineCotton Twine

Braided CordBraided Cord

The Tools: You CanThe Tools: You Can

•• Tie the Tie the TurksheadTurkshead directly on the directly on the Rod/Blank, a dowel, or your fingers.Rod/Blank, a dowel, or your fingers.

•• Tie the Tie the TurksheadTurkshead on a Jig…. PVC tube on a Jig…. PVC tube with pins/dowels. (In configuration for with pins/dowels. (In configuration for the knot)the knot)

•• Jigs may be made of different materialsJigs may be made of different materials

Fids: Fids: Tools for Working with the KnotTools for Working with the Knot

•• Marlinspike Marlinspike •• AwlAwl•• Crochet NeedleCrochet Needle

•• Needle (hollow brass or stainless tubing, Needle (hollow brass or stainless tubing, cut into 2.5” to 3” section, angled cut )cut into 2.5” to 3” section, angled cut )

MarlinspikesMarlinspikes

NeedlesNeedles

Other Materials:Other Materials:

•• Lighter (for ends of cut cord)Lighter (for ends of cut cord)•• Masking TapeMasking Tape•• Toothpicks Toothpicks •• Super Glue Super Glue •• Rug Latch Hook…. Best instrument for Rug Latch Hook…. Best instrument for

tightening down the knot tightening down the knot

There are many ways to tie a There are many ways to tie a turksheadturkshead. You can use a Traditional . You can use a Traditional “pattern” like the one below, and apply it to a tube or dowel. I“pattern” like the one below, and apply it to a tube or dowel. I’m going ’m going

to show you two different methods that are even easier to use. to show you two different methods that are even easier to use.

HOW TO TIE A TURKSHEADHOW TO TIE A TURKSHEADFrom From www.folsomswww.folsoms .net.net

Technically, these are instructions for a three Technically, these are instructions for a three lead, four bight lead, four bight TurksheadTurkshead, meaning that there , meaning that there are three basic passes around the knot, and it are three basic passes around the knot, and it loops up and down four times in going around. loops up and down four times in going around.

As you follow these instructions, you will want As you follow these instructions, you will want to keep the knot much looser than is shown in to keep the knot much looser than is shown in the pictures, and keep much more rope free at the pictures, and keep much more rope free at your working end, or you will never be able to your working end, or you will never be able to double or triple it. Also, you will want to tie the double or triple it. Also, you will want to tie the knot around some sort of form. The picture knot around some sort of form. The picture shows a dowel, though anything, even two shows a dowel, though anything, even two fingers, will do.fingers, will do.

Bring the rope up in front of your form, pass around Bring the rope up in front of your form, pass around behind it, and then around front again, crossing over behind it, and then around front again, crossing over the first pass you made.the first pass you made.

Now take the working end behind the form again, and Now take the working end behind the form again, and bring it to the front, crossing your last pass, and bring it to the front, crossing your last pass, and

parallel to the first one.parallel to the first one.

Now tuck the working end Now tuck the working end underunder the first pass you the first pass you

made.made.

Roll the form toward you. Your working end should Roll the form toward you. Your working end should now be on the bottom, and your previous work now be on the bottom, and your previous work

should show two, mostly parallel, ropes.should show two, mostly parallel, ropes.

This is the only tricky part. Look for the parallel rope This is the only tricky part. Look for the parallel rope that is furthest from your working end, and pull it that is furthest from your working end, and pull it

overover the other rope, making a small opening or eye.the other rope, making a small opening or eye.

Now tuck your working end Now tuck your working end overover the first rope, the first rope, down through the eye you just formed, and down through the eye you just formed, and underunderthe second rope. Now take the working end up and the second rope. Now take the working end up and

over the form.over the form.

Roll the form back towards you. Believe it or knot, Roll the form back towards you. Believe it or knot, the basic the basic TurksheadTurkshead is now done! It only has one is now done! It only has one pass, though, so you will probably want to double or pass, though, so you will probably want to double or triple it.triple it.

Take the working end and tuck it next to your very Take the working end and tuck it next to your very first rope, and thread it into and out of the knot, first rope, and thread it into and out of the knot, always staying exactly next to the first pass you always staying exactly next to the first pass you mademade

This image shows a doubling pass almost This image shows a doubling pass almost completed. Remember, you're just putting one completed. Remember, you're just putting one pass right next to the previous one.pass right next to the previous one.

The ends of a The ends of a TurksheadTurkshead should always be hidden, should always be hidden, tucked into the knot. One thing I like to do is bring tucked into the knot. One thing I like to do is bring the ends up between two of the passes before the ends up between two of the passes before tightening the knot.tightening the knot.

Tightening the Tightening the TurksheadTurkshead is essential, and is done is essential, and is done

by slowly working the ends through, until it is firm.by slowly working the ends through, until it is firm.

Tying the Knot: Tying the Knot:

•• Single pass, doubling or tripling the knotSingle pass, doubling or tripling the knot

•• Splitting the middle (Adds a second Splitting the middle (Adds a second color)color)

•• Choose the right size jig or dowelChoose the right size jig or dowel•• Can tighten onto a smaller jig if neededCan tighten onto a smaller jig if needed

Single, Double and Triple passSingle, Double and Triple pass

Tightening the Tightening the TurksheadTurkshead knot:knot:

•• Position the knot where you want it on the Position the knot where you want it on the blank.blank.

•• Tape down the cord, then take up slack, Tape down the cord, then take up slack, working the cord from the taped end, thru the working the cord from the taped end, thru the entire knot, taking up the slack with the other entire knot, taking up the slack with the other end of the cord. end of the cord.

•• This is the most time consuming part of the This is the most time consuming part of the knot. knot.

•• Continue thru all the passes of the knot until all Continue thru all the passes of the knot until all the slack is taken up.the slack is taken up.

Finishing the Finishing the TurksheadTurkshead Knot:Knot:

•• Knot is tight, “burnish” or flatten the Knot is tight, “burnish” or flatten the knot (rolling, hammering etc) knot (rolling, hammering etc)

•• Pull ends under with latch hook toolPull ends under with latch hook tool•• Cut with razor blade, touch flame to the Cut with razor blade, touch flame to the

ends to “melt” (nylon cord) ends to “melt” (nylon cord) •• Drop of Super Glue if neededDrop of Super Glue if needed•• Optional… Spray or Varnish… I prefer Optional… Spray or Varnish… I prefer

spray on spray on HelmsmansHelmsmans clear polyurethaneclear polyurethane

The The TurksheadTurkshead CookbookCookbook

TurksheadTurkshead Reel Seat Reel Seat (made by Jim (made by Jim KastorffKastorff))

Using a Jig for more complicated Using a Jig for more complicated TurksheadsTurksheads#Pins = the # of Bights#Pins = the # of Bights

Many possible sizes of JigsMany possible sizes of Jigs

Using The ToolUsing The Tool

•• Follow the patternFollow the pattern•• Each number in the pattern represents a Each number in the pattern represents a

pinpin•• Slip knot behind the starting “hole” at pin Slip knot behind the starting “hole” at pin

# 1# 1•• O or U represents where the cord will go O or U represents where the cord will go

over or under the cord it crosses.over or under the cord it crosses.

Sample PatternSample Pattern

5 leads 8 Bights5 leads 8 Bights

Three PatternsThree Patterns

Following the patternFollowing the pattern

•• Follow along as I use a jig to tie a Follow along as I use a jig to tie a •• 8 Bight x 7 lead 8 Bight x 7 lead TurksheadTurkshead. .

•• See samples of completed and tightened See samples of completed and tightened TurksheadsTurksheads

7 Leads 8 Bights7 Leads 8 BightsNotice the pattern is all Over/UnderNotice the pattern is all Over/Under

Any Questions ?Any Questions ?

Speak now or forever wonder!Speak now or forever wonder!

References:References:Ashley, Clifford, Ashley, Clifford, The Ashley book of KNOTSThe Ashley book of KNOTS. New . New

York: Doubleday, 1944. York: Doubleday, 1944.

BudworthBudworth, Geoffrey, , Geoffrey, The Complete Book of The Complete Book of KnotsKnots. New York: The Lyons Press, 1997 . New York: The Lyons Press, 1997

BudworthBudworth, Geoffrey, , Geoffrey, The Complete Book of The Complete Book of Decorative KnotsDecorative Knots. New York: The Lyons Press, . New York: The Lyons Press,

1998 1998

BudworthBudworth, Geoffrey, , Geoffrey, The Ultimate Encyclopedia The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Knots and of Knots and RopeworkRopework. New York: Lorenz . New York: Lorenz

Books, 1999 Books, 1999

Smith, Hervey Garrett, Smith, Hervey Garrett, The Marlinspike SailorThe Marlinspike Sailor. . Camden, Maine: International Marine, 1960. Camden, Maine: International Marine, 1960.

Burrhus,Don,Burrhus,Don,TheThe TurksheadTurkshead CookbookCookbook