Step #1: First, a little history...
- Our civilization was built on a technology so advanced we still don't know everything it's good for. But somewhere along the way, most of us seem to have forgotten how to tie these things together.
- Yet, if you can tie things together securely, you can make almost anything from practically nothing.
- Consider the golf ball - underneath those dimples, an incredibly long rubber band subjects the core to almost 10,000 pounds of pressure.
- The secret is in the wrapping - every turn adds pressure, which is the same principle at work in a lashing - the result is very strong, but with a little bit of give.
Step #3: Learn the basics.
OK, get your sticks and line and we'll tie our first lashing. Relax - this takes a little bit of practice, so expect to start over a couple of times.
- Starting from your finger, wind the line counterclockwise around the vertical stick, then down around the horizontal stick, and clockwise around the lower portion of the vertical stick.
- Always keep the line tight and tidy as you lay it down.
- Keep going until you have enough wraps (usually 8 to 10 for twine and string).
- Then tie it off with a surgeon's knot (which is just an overhand with an extra twist).
- Almost done - now we lock the surgeon's knot in with a square knot. There are fancier ways to do it, but this is sufficient and easy to remember.
- If you need to make a longer stick from 2 short ones, overlap and lash 'em.
- Add a few loops across the lashing to tighten them up nicely.
- Tying 3 sticks can be tricky, so instead of lashing all 3 together you can just lash them in pairs.
- You can run the lashing between many sticks at once to create a quick decking.
- A secure, flexible connection is made by running the lashing between the sticks.
- The same technique can be extended to accommodate 3 sticks for a tripod.
- Some durable line is used to keep the legs from splaying
- These tripods can be very stable, remarkably strong, and can be used as a foundation for other structures.
- A natural fork can add strength to your construction and you only have to lash to the strongest side - gravity does the rest.
- If the line slips on the wood, carve out a couple of notches to give it some purchase.
Step #14: Now, build something.
If you're going to build something big and complicated, you'll want to make some sketches to help you work out the details.
- Not everything has to be sticks. We'll just finish it off with a heavier line here to make a railing.
- Stable and strong - you can almost make anything with lashing.
