Zeppelin bend

The commonly accepted name for this knot stems from its alleged use to moor airships: a Zeppelin being a rigid-bodied type of airship, and Charles Rosendahl being the US Navy officer who allegedly insisted it be used to moor airships under his command.[1] However, the alleged connection between Charles Rosendahl and the 'Zeppelin bend' has now been refuted. Dr Giles Camplin has conducted extensive research into ground handling of Zeppelin airships and concludes that the Zeppelin bend was not used with mooring lines. Dr Camplin asserts that a rolling hitch (#1735) is a more likely method used by ground handlers to join ropes. Further to that, it is also likely that a 'toggle' was used to unite to mooring lines with fixed eye splice terminations. Dr Camplin's report was published in issue #60 of 'Dirigible' in 2010. Charles Rosendahl (in an interview) was asked about the 'Zeppelin bend' – and he denied any knowledge of it. Historical records now point to Bob Thrun as the original discoverer in 1966 – naming it simply as; 'An easily untied bend' (Published in the 'Potamac Caver' newsletter Vol IX No.7 1966). Bob Thrun was well known in the caving community, and a remarkable innovator.

ABOK#582 to the left, Zeppelin bend to the right, ABOK#582 with folded central section below in the middle

Despite being praised by some sources as a nearly ideal rope joining knot,[2][3] it is not very well known. The chapter covering 'bends' (end-to-end joining knots) in original publication of The Ashley Book of Knots does not include this knot.[4] However, at illustration #582, Ashley identifies a 'lanyard knot' – which is remarkable because it is a blueprint for tying the Zeppelin bend. Ashley missed the significance of #582. Budworth (1998) identifies #582 as a "blimp knot" in his book; 'The Complete Book of Decorative Knots', p.34. Globe Pequot ISBN 1558217916 – because he recognized the geometric similarity with the Zeppelin bend.

With the hindsight of the qualities of the zeppelin bend, a novel use of ABOK#582 is as an alternative to butterfly loop, to isolate a worn section of a long rope where the knot is tied such that the worn section is isolated in the middle of a Z folded central (double-loop-crossing) rope section. The knot will then look like a double slipped zeppelin bend with no ends sticking out.

For an in-depth technical paper on the Zeppelin bend, visit the link at the PACI website: http://www.paci.com.au/knots.php (at #5 in the table).

Zeppelin bend step by step

Fundamentally, the Zeppelin bend is formed from two superposed loops of opposite chirality. This is in contrast to the rigger's bend (AKA Hunter's bend, #1425A) which is formed from two inter-linked loops of the same chirality. Chirality refers to the "handedness" of the loop, which can be either "S" (left) or "Z" (right). The chirality of a loop cannot be changed by flipping or turning it over – in the same way, a left shoe cannot be transformed into a right shoe by flipping or turning it over (it is always a left shoe).

The Zeppelin bend is difficult to tie while ropes are under tension (which is further obvious evidence that it wasn't used with mooring lines during ground handling of airships). In fact, with any 'end-to-end joining knot' (ie bend), existing tension in the ropes makes the tying process extremely difficult (if not impossible). The zeppelin is therefore tied with two loose ends (ie no existing tension) ending with a simple knot on each, but woven to each other in a pattern specific to Zeppelin. Butterfly bend, Hunter's bend, and Ashley's bend also weave one simple knot on either end but use their own different patterns.

1. Form a loop in each of the ends of rope (one loop must be "S" and the other must be "Z" chirality)
2. Superpose (overlay) one loop over the other, orienting each loop so that both working ends face outwards/away from the central overlap.
3. Feed each working end though the central overlap of the two loops, ensuring that each working end goes in opposite directions.
4. Dress and set the knot by sequentially pulling on all four rope segments.
5. To untie, loosen the collars that form around each Standing Part (SPart).

Zeppelin bend forming a loop: the four stages of the method starting with a "clover leaf" or flattened overhand knot; Red line: ends of the overhand knot, Green line: ends of the underhand

Another method of remembering this knot is to visualize a "69". The '6' being Z chirality and the '9' being S chirality.

To tie the knot, follow the steps below:

1. Make a "6" with the line (rope) in your left hand. It is important that the working end (the free, short end) winds up on top of the standing end for the "6".
2. Make a "9" with the line in your right hand. Make sure that the standing part crosses over the working end of the "9".
3. While keeping both "numbers" intact, place the "6" over the "9", with the circle parts of each number lining up.
4. Pass the "tail" of the "6" down, over itself, and up through the middle (circle) part of your "69".
5. Pass the "tail" part of the "9" up over itself and down through the middle (circle) part of your "69".
6. Pull each standing end while ensuring that the working ends are not pulled from the "69" holes.

• 
  Simplest and therefore the slimmest version of Zeppelin bend
• 
  Zeppelin bend where the ends are secured with a stopper knot each
• 
  Zeppelin bend tied with bights creating two fixed loops protruding from the knot core
• 
  Zeppelin bend on bight with three very reliable fixed loops at the knot
• 
  Double slipped zeppelin bend with stopper knots at the ends
• 
  Double slipped zeppelin bend with slips locked using the knotted ends

• List of bend knots
• List of knots
• Zeppelin loop