How do you feel about those *cough*riggers*cough* who insist on a clove hitch, then finish with a bow knot?...Two wraps around with a bow knot.
How do you feel about those *cough*riggers*cough* who insist on a clove hitch, then finish with a bow knot?
The opera knot is not in the Backstage Handbook, at least I couldn't find it. I have always been of the belief that it's used to hide the batten, so that the top of the webbing is on the same level as the top of the pipe, as opposed to hanging below the pipe with the normal "shoelace knot."
To me, an opera knot (also called "V" knot, or "vajayjay knot" (See Oprah or Grey's Anatomy, and I hate that I know that) is: place the webbing of the drape at the top of the batten, take the two legs of the tieline over the batten and bring each up on either side of the two, between the pipe and the webbing, sort of forming a "V," tie an overhand knot at the webbing, then a bow, just like a shoelace. It's difficult to explain or visualize.
I'm thinking Footer and I are referring to two different knots, both called "Opera Knot.
How do you feel about those *cough*riggers*cough* who insist on a clove hitch, then finish with a bow knot?
It is funny that you mention the expense of tieline. The scene shop in my theatre only uses black tieline for situations where it might be seen. Other than that they only use jute. Why? It is cheaper to buy Jute. So, before I started working here the electricians also used jute. This seemed like a fundamental flaw. The Jute could really only handle being tied once or maybe twice, meaning that in general every piece of jute had to be replaced every other show.As for the question of the thread, I've always used Tie Line. However for the new theater I've ordered a bunch of these from Rip-tie. My theory is strategically placed around the catwalks, I'll always have a Velcro strap nearby... cutting back on the amount of tie line I'll need. I'm going to run a zip tie through that mounting hole to make them easy to reposition if I feel the need.
I'm one of those guys.
When you might end up in a situation where someone has to walk a batten, or trussing, etc, possibly in the (nearly) dark. The last thing you need is a cable bundle giving way as you step on it.
It doesn't take that much more energy to tie or untie. It's more secure. And hey, when you're running multiple pieces of mult in a bundle, it's easier to tie to the pipe by yourself.
I'm not talking about "one night" type shows here. When I put in a show at work, it stays there for ~2-3 months.
--Sean
Yes what you describe is an Opera Knot...used to hide battons but also when drops and fly space is limited.. It ensures the drop does not sag or is tied loose ..ties it real tight not uneven on a batton.The opera knot is not in the Backstage Handbook, at least I couldn't find it. I have always been of the belief that it's used to hide the batten, so that the top of the webbing is on the same level as the top of the pipe, as opposed to hanging below the pipe with the normal "shoelace knot."
To me, an opera knot (also called "V" knot, or "vajayjay knot" (See Oprah, The View, or Grey's Anatomy, and I hate that I know that) is: place the webbing of the drape at the top of the batten, take the two legs of the tieline over the batten and bring each up on either side of the two, between the pipe and the webbing, sort of forming a "V," tie an overhand knot at the webbing, then a bow, just like a shoelace. It's difficult to explain or visualize.
I'm thinking Footer and I are referring to two different knots, both called "Opera Knot."
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