Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Clay pipes and pineapples...


A long pineapple knot tied with tan and gray 1.4mm cord, over a clay pipe, that my dad gave me years ago.  I thought he might have bought it at a Civil War reenactment, historical site gift shop, museum, or such, but when asked, he said it came from a tobacco shop in the mall, probably a Tinder Box

Besides being one of the greatest smelling places with all the tobacco and cigars, the Tinder Box shops also had(guess they still do but haven't been to one in years) display cases with lighters, pocket knives, intricately carved chess sets, and other assorted gadgets, gear, and accessories. 

The cord for the pineapple knot, worked into the long 4 bight turk's head knot, is just slightly darker than the base knot, so it doesn't show so well in the photo as it does in hand...

12 comments:

Starfire said...

That looks great, really like that idea. Enhances the beauty of that pipe, the style which I remember from The Tinder Box. Haven't been to a mall in so long didn't know if they were still around. Would buy a pipe just to do that as a decoration for a den.

Matt said...

Another great project... Where do you source your 1.4mm or 0.9mm cordage?

Stormdrane said...

@Matt, ebay seller 'mowfugger' has spools of the cord in different sizes/diameters, link in my links list.

Other sources that carry similar, R&W Rope Warehouse, GPJ Rope, and mini blind supply distributors...

rigger said...

If you could only have one decorative knot book besides ABOK what would it be?

Stormdrane said...

@rigger, 'Creative Ropecraft' by Stuart Grainger.

rigger said...

The directions are a little confusing for tying the pineapple knot, do you know of any other tutorials. I can tie turks heads with no problem but do not know where to go from there. Your site gives me a lot of ideas. I would use knot tying as my pass time while deployed on the ship. Thank you.

Stormdrane said...

@rigger, Try looking through Tom Hall's 'Introduction To Turk's Head Knots' and see if that can help. More info can be found on the KHWW.net website. ;)

Anonymous said...

Which one do you believe is better, Tinderbox or BnBtobacco? I personally prefer BnB, but I'm trying to figure out what is the general opinion.

Stormdrane said...

@Anonymous, I've not ordered online from either, but if both carry what you're interested in, I'd go with the one that offers the lowest price including shipping costs. ;)

smet337 said...

Stormdrane,I have purchased ABOK so I was curious if you still believe that the book in line to that one would be Creative Rope craft?Also is there a way to do a long 4b over two strands of lanyard and tighten down and keep it round?(when tightened down it is oval) Making a everyday Lanyard for an old buddy and I want him to be able to grip it everyday and be sturdy? I really hope that make's sense.Thank you sooo much.Scot

Stormdrane said...

@Scot, A Turk's head will take the shape of the core it's tightened around, so to get a round shape with paracord in the core, you'd probably need a round sinnet or braid for the core.

Maybe just adding a third strand alongside the two strand you were using will round it out enough for you, but it may just be more triangular when the TH is tightened...

Stormdrane said...

@Scot, 'Creative Ropecraft' is a good knotting book and I often use my copy for reference when tying a Turk's head knot or braid that I haven't done in a while...