Smooth Operator
(BluuGnome version of the Fiddlestick)
Pull Cord Knots

The bowline knot is the go to knot for attaching a pull line to the Smooth Operator.  How to tie the bowline using 1/8th inch Dyneema cord or standard rappel rope is covered in the Smooth Operator detailed how to page.  For information on those knots go check out the page.  Below are some other knots you may want to use with the Smooth Operator.

The overhand on a bight is another easy to use knot for attaching the pull line.  This is my go to knot to use if attaching the pull line to the Smooth Operator before it is inserted in the stone knot. If you tie the pull line to the Smooth Operator prior to inserting it in the stone knot, the pull line is threaded through a hole in the Smooth Operator then an overhand on a bight is tied with the Smooth Operator in the bight.

Example Pic. 1.) Insert the end of the pull line through the Smooth Operator. Example Pic. 2.) Form a loop.
Example Pic. 3.) Thread the Smooth Operator through the loop to create an overhand knot. Example Pic. 4.) Cinch down the knot.
Example Pic. 5.) If you are concerned about the Smooth Operator getting stuck in constrictions during pull it is a good idea to have make sure the tail of the knot is not able to reach backup to the Smooth Operator.  In most case this is not an issue but thought is might be worth mentioning.

If the pull line is attached after the Smooth Operator is inserted in the stone knot, an overhand knot can be tied via a rethread.  In this case the bowline may be an easier choice, just be sure to cinch it down tight.

If you choose to tie the overhand rethread below here is how you do it.

Example Pic. 1.) Tie a loose overhand knot in the rope about 2.5 feet from the end. Example Pic. 2.) Thread the rope through the Smooth Operator.
Example Pic. 3.) Use the tail to rethread the overhand knot following the rope back through the knot. Example Pic. 4.) Cinch down the knot.
Example Pic. 5.) If you are concerned about the Smooth Operator getting stuck in constrictions during pull it is a good idea to make sure the tail of the knot is not able to reach backup to the Smooth Operator.  In most case this is not an issue but thought is might be worth mentioning.

Here is a video showing how to tie the overhand knot on a bight and using the rethread method.

A variation is to tie an overhand knot with a reverse rethread.  The overhand knot with reverse rethread is marginally larger than the standard rethread but has a couple of advantages that may prove useful in some situations.  The reverse rethread version ends with the tail pointing up toward the Smooth Operator rather than down toward the bottom of the rappel.  This reduces the chances of the tail getting caught on something and bunching in a crack.  The other advantage to the reverse rethread is the ability to pivot and roll more easily over sharp lips, similar to the way an EDK behaves.

To tie the reverse rethread variation, tie it the same way as the rethreaded overhand knot but when starting to rethread the tail into the overhand knot start from the side of the knot away from the Smooth Operator.

Example Pic. 1.) Tie a loose overhand knot in the rope about 2.5 feet from the end. Example Pic. 2.) Thread the rope through the Smooth Operator then rethread the overhand knot but start from the side of the knot that is away from the Smooth Operator.
Example Pic. 3.) Use the tail to rethread the overhand knot following the rope back through the knot.  You will end up with one rope pointing down toward the pull and the tail pointing up toward the Smooth Operator. Example Pic. 4.) If you are concerned about the Smooth Operator getting stuck in constrictions during pull it is a good idea to have make sure the tail of the knot is not able to reach backup to the Smooth Operator.  In most case this is not an issue but thought is might be worth mentioning.  

Here is a video showing how to tie the reverse rethread overhand knot on the Smooth Operator.

Rather using the bowline, overhand knot or the reverse rethread overhand knot here are a couple helpful hints.  Leave at least 4 inches of tail on the knot after it is tied.  Make sure the tail is short enough that it can not extend up to the Smooth Operator when the rope is being pulled.  Keeping the tail so it will not reach the Smooth Operator during pull will reduce the chances of the tail and the Smooth Operator trying to feed through a constriction at the same time.  In order to leave the tail at least 4 inches long and still not reach up to the Smooth Operator during the pulling process a larger loop is made in the rope where tied to the Smooth Operator.

 

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