Brion,
Thanks for filling us in. I would like to see some details. One thing that would be very interesting is the range of results for each type of knot. I assume you had a range of skill levels so this would give a good indication of what we could expect to see for a range of users. Averages are perhaps not as interesting as the minimum strength. The average doesn't mean a thing if the shackle you are using is at minimum strength. Personally, I would rather use a shackle that had an average strength of 110% and a minimum strength of 100% than one with a average strength of 200% and a minimum strength of 50%. This example is exaggerated and I am not suggesting it represents the results. Of course, if the shackles are inspectable such that any user could judge a good shackle from a bad one then bad ones could be excluded from the results. But lacking some usable criteria, I think they need to be included.
You say that going to larger line causes a loss in efficiency but is that loss enough to erase the increase in strength of the larger line? Going up in line size gives 50 to 60% increase in strength. Is the loss in efficiency enough to negate this increase in raw line strength? That would be surprising. Perhaps the combination in added strength and lost efficiency is not enough to equal the superior button knot strength. Does this hold for the minimum strengths as well as the average?
And finally, if it is possible to give each person the results of the units they submitted that would be nice. You have my permission to publish any of my results if that would help. To tell you the truth, it has been so long I can't remember what or even if I sent any samples.
Allen
L-36.com
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