There I was, surfing the Internet, thinking about monkey balls, of all things.  I have always wondered where they got their name. Some say they look like a monkey's fist. I never thought so. So I come across a site about a hobo convention in Iowa. Check out this explanation!

http://www.hobo.com/monkey's_fists.htm

Tom

It's also the symbol of the Palmer Drug Abuse Program.  (no relation to me, BTW)

I never knew that!

Great research Tom! I didn't know the origin of that knot either, and didn't think enough to look it up. Thanks for the great history lesson.

Thanks, Don. You just never know what you'll run into if you surf long enough!

That's very interesting Tom! Great job! I kind of want to test that with a monkey and something in a jar though  .


               Mike

Mike,

It would be interesting to see what would happen!

Tom

MONKEY BALL  -  http://www.hobo.com/monkey's_fists.htm  -  And here is how to make them:
http://www.ropeworks.biz/archive/monkpawcoil.html  -  And another site:
http://www.ropeworks.biz/reader/monkpaw.pdf  -   

Tom, thanks for that hobo dot com thread on the history of the Monkey's fists.  I have added it to my webs on the ball; two of the webs are how to tie them...

opie

Opie,

That was interesting reading about how to tie the knots.

Tom

I do not want to chime in late, but seeing how you are talking about a tool I know "ALL TO WELL". (you will see why in a second)

Well, a lifetime ago, I was in the *US Navy. I had the good luck to be talked into joining into a new program the recruiter was selling. "An apprentice Program" Well to cut to the chase. I became a "Deck Ape" or know as a Seamen, for 2 years before I got to go to the School of my choice.

Well, as a Deck Ape, I work the lines, and every other  job that can be done on the main deck of the ship. Well, we used Monkey Fist lines all the time when we can in to port. For some reason, I understood how the line was to be thrown better then some of the Newbies that came On-board.

Well, for some reason I thought, (Yes, I see now that this was my mistake) I would train the Newbies how to throw the line. It is not that hard. You just need to know to break the slack loops into two groups, and release them in the right order. When you swing your arm forward. (I think you may see where I am going, but just wait for it.)

Well that day, I was showing four Newbies how to throw the line. Well, I got hit in the head 5 times before. I quit and told all of them. They were on their own. That and a few colorful words, and other things I may or may not of said or done.

Oh, I should point out that we soak the finished fist in primmer for a day or two, and then in white paint. Then hung to dry for about a week. This is done for a few reason. One being that they will not collect water, and start to rot so on....

Another reason is to make them easy to see.

We used a lot of different things in the core of the fist, but it was an art to get one just right.

Well that is my little tale about Monkey Fist lines.


Till next time,
Sean






(*Note: I said "In the US Navy", not I was "In The Navy" So, no Village People jokes.)

Sean, that was good sea-story! Thanks!
I was in the U.S. Navy, too. The Village People's song was out at that time. Everybody loved it! Anyhow, I didn't have to tie any knots! I was in aviation. Played with airplanes and helicopters all day. 

Anchors aweigh,
Tom

I was never in the Navy but I did try once to tie my own monkey fist balls with marble cores... Which is why I now buy them...

Can't blame you for that, Bri.

Sean, thanks for that story.......I did 26 years in the Air Force, and I did not learn how to tie any knots at all....My oldest son retired from the Air Force a couple of years ago, and his wife retires next month.....One of my daughters married a sub sailor.....Her daughter (my granddaughter) married an Army guy, after serving a hitch herself.....But, despite all that experience in the military, I don't think any of the family can tie a Monkey Fist.   I think I may give it a shot one day...

opie

I did 15 years in the Royal Air Force.

No knots though.