huck72412 said:
I am clueless about ropes and knots and this question will likely expose my ignorance. But I need to know because I use a rope with a smaller rope with a Prussic knot for saddle hookup. Someone explain the dynamics about how knots reduce strength. Is it only reduced within the knot itself? Is it reduced only if you tie a knot and then untie it? If you tie a knot in one spot does it reduce the strength further down the rope in any way? Please understand you are dealing with a caveman :?
I know it sounds odd and no you're not a cave man I'm still learning about climbing myself. I'm not too sure about the physics if it but the rope is weakest inside the knot and I think it's due torsion produced by the turns in the knot.
I like this android app called "useful knots" allot. That's my go to if I need to remind myself how to tie some basic knots. It also tells you about the strength of the knots and if it's a jamming or non-jamming knot. Then the other one I like is called "knots guide" it has more on the history and uses of particular knots but it could have better diagrams to teach you how to tie them.
Hope this helps.