falls apart, but if the free ends are pulled taut then the knot remains secure. Modern usage Sheepshank knots are typically used for securing loads to trucks or trailers, and in sailing applications. Disadvantages The sheepshank was developed before the use of modern "slippery" synthetic ropes. Constructed from such ropes, under load, it can fail. It is strongly advised that an alternative knot be used. Variants Man-o'war sheepshank The man-o'war sheepshank is a sheepshank knot with a Handcuff knot in the middle. This configuration with the half-hitches formed close to the central knot is used in rope rescue and is called a Fireman's chair knot. Sheepshank with Marlinespike hitches This version of the sheepshank is tied by using slipknots instead of half-hitches. It is one of the safest sheepshank variations. Kamikaze knot The kamikaze knot is a slight variant of the sheepshank. To perform a kamikaze knot, a sheepshank is first constructed. While holding sufficient tension on the sheepshank so it will not slip out, the middle rope is sliced. This allows climbers rappelling down cliff faces to keep most of the rope used for the rappel, by tying the knot at the top, and shaking the rope when they reach the bottom. The shaking disconnects the knot at the top, allowing the longer section of rope to fall, meaning only a small amount of rope is retained by the anchor at the top of the cliff. Thin or slippery rope is unsuitable for such a knot, as it can easily slip, and the knot should not be performed unless desperately needed. Use This variant of the sheepshank knot appeared in an episode of the TV show Man vs. Wild. Although certainly not invented by him, Bear Grylls uses by cutting one of the lengths of rope in the knot, while rappelling down an edge during the Ireland episode of Man Vs Wild in order to retrieve his rope at the bottom by severing the middle leg of the sheepshank knot before his descent. He refers to it as a "Kamikaze" knot. Bell-ringer's knot A simpler variant of the sheepshank wherein a half-hitch is only tied around only one end produces a bell-ringer's knot (ABoK #1147). It will immediately spill under tension, and is used to keep a long rope from the belfry deck when not in use. Catshank The catshank is a variant of the sheepshank, clinched by two