Offroad-Express

Anyone got any tips on the best way to undo a tow strop with a knot in it?
Ive got a 20m winch extension strop that I mainly use as a long tow strop. Today when I used it I didnt notice that it wasnt rolled out properly an now its got a Knot in it near one end Its pretty tight an I had a bit of a go at it with a screw driver but gave up. Anyone managed to undo one before?
Might just have to keep it as a tow strop an buy another winch extension

screw driver and a set of plyers and sh-t load of paitance

I use the spike on a podger (sp?) or a socket extention to work it loose,
never had much luck with screw drivers, usually end up stabbing my hand, a big spike seems to be the go, something that gets fatter the further you push it in the knot (trying to word this bit carefully )

bobrocket wrote:I use the spike on a podger (sp?) or a socket extention to work it loose,
never had much luck with screw drivers, usually end up stabbing my hand, a big spike seems to be the go, something that gets fatter the further you push it in the knot (trying to word this bit carefully )

A Fid is the correct term for the tappered spike, used in knot and rope work by us salty sea dogs.

I would suggest if it is a tight knot that the fabric in the strop would be damaged due to the friction and tension of the knotting process.
Might be a better option to take it to Cookes or the likes and have the knot cut out and a new eye made on the end of the strop.
I will also advise against using it as a tow strop with the knot in it too as this is the weakest section of the strop and may result in it snapping.

Just my opinions from a safety point of view.

Cheers for the advice guys. I think your right kiwipete ill probably take it to cookes an see if they can put a new loop on the end. The knots pretty close to one end so shouldnt shorten it too much.
An yes I realise its created a weak point , when it is being used for towing its only for easy stuff where ya only need a little bit of help to get moving,
Being 20m long it works great cos usually the tow vehicle can tow from good solid ground.
Any other time id just use the snatch strop if I or someone else was really stuck

leave it

then ya only use it as a 'tow' strop and not a 'snatch' strop

most people would tell ya to put it away if it had a knot in it

so you now have an easily distinguishable winch extension or long tow rope

leave it

so you now have an easily distinguishable winch extension or long tow rope

This is what I was trying to say from a safety point of view. It is not advisable to use it at all for anything if it has a knot in it. You would be dicing with disaster using it as a winch extension with the knot!

Common sense is what is needed here folks. Any rope/strop/sling or chain etc with a knot is not to be used at all.

Safety speech over, over.

A knot de-rates the strop and creates a weak point but if it was going to break due to having a knot in it I'd be looking at the type/rating of strop being used,

From a safety point of view, strops are disposable, if in doubt throw it away, the consequence of failure are usually just not worth it

Would of thought it would be cheaper to buy a new strop than to get an eye put in though.

But yeah, pretty much what skid said,

skid wrote:leave it

so you now have an easily distinguishable winch extension or long tow rope

Thats what it is, a winch extension/tow strop not a snatch strop an even without a knot in it I wouldnt have used it as a snatch strop
With the knot in it I wouldnt be keen on using it as a winch extension so yes now I have a really long tow strop only.

I don't use strops full stop. I have only had bad experiences with them.

I use 7 metres of 24mm nylon for a snatch and a 20meters 24mm polyester for towing.

If it gets knotted you can easily splice a new end .

Cheers Richard

dont tie knots in strops unless you know how to tie one that will undo easily

and dont throw it away, you can always use it as a ..... strop?