Spearfishing knots

[Mr. X]

A couple of things recently got me thinking about the knots we use for spearfishing:

1) I thought I heard one of my favourite YouTubers, British-Austrailian, Dan Mann (possibly the current British spearfishing champion?) say he used a Clove-hitch (rather than the commonly used Constrictor knot) when tying spearguns rubbers!

2) I recently purchased yet another book of knots. This one from an Oxfam Used Book shop but quite modern: (c)2007 (not even 20 years old!).

Re. #1 I'd like to know if Daniel really does use a Clove-hitch, or did he mis-speak? The Clove-hitch is not super-reliable, e.g. a different knot book suggests there is always a better option!! I tend to disagree with the book, as a former climber, we regularly used Clove hitches on long, multi-pitch routes. But I would not use one on my spearguns rubbers, as the Constrictor knot is so similar but seemingly better suited to tying in wishbones.

#2 is called "What Knot" by Geoffrey Budworth & Richard Hopkins. It includes a lot of the knots that we use for spearfishing and several interesting variants of them. (more on those later ,)

 

[Mr. X]

BTW. I have a long interest in knots. Probably starting with Scouts and their lashings, Coarse fishing, then climbing, spearfishing, kayaking and sea-angling.

I recall the Guernsey forum members were particularly keen and good with knots and whipping (e.g. as an alternative to crimps)..

 

[Mr. X]

BTW The above book does mention now common super-strong fibres, like Kevlar, Spectra and Dyneema , but unfortunately does not seem to have anything specifically for them - although I'm still looking through it.

For Dyneema, etc. knots, I tend to look on-line. Particularly Rob Allen's informative YouTube videos on knots (he tends to test his connections and connectors in his lab/workshop/Dive Factory , as well as in the sea ).