What is the efficiency percentage of a running bowline?

The efficiency percentage of a running bowline is recognized to be around 50%. This figure represents the strength of the knot relative to the rope’s original breaking strength.

The running bowline is a versatile knot that creates a fixed loop at the end of a rope, which can slide easily along the standing part. It's particularly valued because it maintains most of the rope's strength while being easy to untie after being loaded. The 50% efficiency means that when the knot is tied, the strength of the rope is effectively halved due to the way the fibers are curved and loaded within the knot.

Understanding knot efficiency is crucial for applications in rigging and safety, as this knowledge helps in selecting the right knot for the job while ensuring that it contributes to the overall safety of the rigging system.