Arbtalk.co.uk | Discussion Forum for Arborists

As I understand it, the Helicoil is simply a "Bowline-Finish" on a Valdotain (or just call it some wraps ).

What Drew has is an "Eskimo-Bowline-Finish", and in my opinion thats really another knot, even when its a close relative...

Nice anyway !

do either the Howards or the Helicoil self tend?

Yes it is just that, and I didn't notice the difference to drews, same same but different.

Helicoil self tends nicely if looses enough, but that is where the difficulty is. There is a fine line between self tending and safely grabbing. Get it right and you have the best of both worlds, just like a vt and all other knots really.

I think the rope / cord you're using plays a big part in self tending, My current setup with the Howard on Tachyon with ocean poly doesn't self tend. I think this is due to the light weight of the tachyon rather than anything else. I have now put the same setup on Andrews rope Marlowe gecko which weighs a ton so I'll keep you posted.

The howard is not too bitey though, advances really easily one handed and always grips.