Shear Lashing
(With Plain Turns)

Uses: A shear lashing is often used to bind adjacent poles together. It is also a good way to reinforce a broken or weak pole. A loose Shear Lashing made around the ends of two poles will allow the poles to be opened out and used as an A-frame.

Instructions: 1) Lay out the poles. For most lashings you will want to lay the poles side by side with the butt ends aligned. 2) Tie a clove hitch around one of the poles. 3) Secure the standing part by wrapping it around the running part in a twisting fashion. 4) Pass the rope around the poles, pulling each turn tight making a series of turns until the lashing is at least as long as the combined diameter of the two poles (usually a set of 4 to 6 turns will be sufficient). 5) Tighten the lashing with 2 to 3 frapping turns by taking the rope down between the poles. 6) Pass the rope around one pole and tuck it under itself to form a half hitch. Pull this tight and make a second half hitch forming a clove hitch by taking the rope around the same pole and tucking it under itself.