Nautical Gifts: Go Knot-ical!
Mar 25th 2015
Is there any better representation of beauty and utility combined than a nautical knot?
The merchant sailor of old devised methods to tie things together—he had to in order to do his job. Fortunately for us, he went about the task as an artist would and made nautical knots into things of wonder.
Boating enthusiasts, yachtsmen, fishermen, boy/girl scouts and armchair sailors carry on the knot-tying traditions. They tie basic knots, make handy hitches and splice ropes. There are several thousand knots in existence and a shipload of variations on each.
There is even an International Guild of Knot Tyers (IGKT) , a non-profit whose mission is to promote interest in the practical, recreational and theoretical aspects of knotting as well as to preserve traditional knotting techniques. These folks take their knots seriously!
The IGKT hosts events called the Six Knot Challenge, where contestants are timed while tying six knots: sheet bend, reef knot, round turn 2-half hitches, bowline, sheepshank and the clove hitch. Clinton Bailey Sr. set the world record in 1977. How long did it take him to tie the six knots? 8.1 seconds! According to the IGKT website, anything under 15 seconds is really fast.
Those who are knowledgeable about their knots know the lingo: a “knot” is when you form rope around itself. Joining two ropes together is a “bend” and tying a rope to something else, like a pole, cleat or mooring is a “hitch.”
Everything Nautical honors the place that nautical knots holds in maritime history and has gathered knot-ical gift items from all over the globe.
You can almost hear the wind whipping in the sails when you mount this three-dimensional piece of artwork on your wall. Knots (sheepshank, bowline and more) surround the image of a ship or ships wheel along with other marine items. Comes in either a 20” X 14” or 23 ½” by 11 ½” frame.
Pop the top in a whimsical way with this all-brass bottle opener and let everyone know you take your knots as seriously as you take your beer!
This 30” by 23” scroll displays the flags of the International Code of Signals (so you can study up!), along with a variety of knots and identifying tags, and an anchor, all on canvas with wooden poles top and bottom to facilitate hanging in your home or office.
Personalized Sailors Knot Wall Address Plaque
Show your knot-ical leanings right up front with this address plaque. Your home address is surrounded with a unique frame of nautical knots. Top line holds up to five 3” characters and the bottom line holds up to seventeen 1.25” characters. Plus, you have 11 color combinations to choose from.
If you want to join the legions of knot fans around the world in their efforts to preserve this unique part of maritime history, visit our website and give the gift of nautical knots!