Description
A Zeppelin bend is a general purpose bend knot.
Use
It used a secure, easily tied, and jam-resistant way to connect two ropes.
Releasing
Non-jamming
Though its simplicity and security may be matched by other bends, it is unique in the ease with which it is untied, even after heavy loading.
Security
Zeppelin bend is both strong and secure knot.
Other names
Zeppelin bend, Rosendahl bend, Rosendahl’s knot.
Tying
1. Form a loop in each of the ends of rope.
2. Overlay one loop on the other, such that the working end of each rope faces “outwards” or away from the other hitch.
3. Pull either loose end once around the loop in the other rope, and then through the “tunnel” created by the two hitches.
4. Repeat with the other loose end.
5. Pull on all four rope parts to tighten the knot.
History
Both names for this knot stem from its use to moor airships: a Zeppelin being a rigid-bodied type of airship,
and Charles Rosendahl being the US Navy officer who insisted it be used to moor airships under his command.
I found Zeppelin bend/loop probably as the most underestimated knot. Also simple geometry but probably awkward tying makes it to be forgotten.
I suggest tying bend the same way as Zeppelin loop.
Assertions that this knot was ever used by the USNavy for airships –or for anything– have been pretty well debunked –a legend made to popularize the knot. There are similar knots in the 1944 Ashley Book of Knots that deserve more attention and use, too : “Ashley’s Bend” #1452 is perhaps best; #1425 though is also quite good, and provides for a nice eye knot; and #1408 one might regard as a symmetricl butterfly joint.
(I tie all of these end-2-end joints by first forming an overhand knot for one end and then reeving the other end into it as required to make the knot.)