French/Portugese Bowline

Also, this restraint uses less
rope than the standard re-
straint, so it’s handy when
you’re running out of rope.

Copyright © 2002, Lynn Grant

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The rope used here is
available from Rainbow Rope,
http://www.rainbowrope.com

The “Wrist and Ankle Re-
straints” handout in this packet
describes our preferred method
of making those restraints. This
handout describes another
method, which is called the
French, or Portugese bowline.

This method has a couple
features that are useful in
special situations. It is easier to
tie quickly in the dark of a
dungeon. It is difficult to keep
the loops of our standard re-
straint from crossing (which
would create pressure points)
when you can’t see what you
are doing.

Also, the tail of this restraint is a
single rope. Depending on what
you are tying it to, that may be
better than the twin tails of the
standard restraint.

The tie begins with a 12-foot
length of 5/16-inch rope. Drape
the rope over the limb to be
tied, with the long end away
from you, and a couple of feet
between you and the limb.

Make a counter-clockwise loop
over the limb, with the short end
of the rope on top, like this:

Take the short end under the
limb, and bring it over the top
again.

Disclaimer: The techniques I de-
scribe here are as safe as I know how
to make them, and I believe in them
enough to trust the life of my beloved
Mistress to them. However, you are
ultimately responsibile for the safety
of anyone you tie up. Know your
captive’s limitations, and any medical
conditions they may have. Don’t mix
bondage with drugs or alcohol. And
don’t even think of trying suspension
until you are really experienced with
ropework.

Bring the short end of the rope
through the loop, from back to
front.

And pull it snug (not too tight).

Pass the end of the rope under
the limb, as before, and bring it
through the loop again, from
back to front, to the right of the
previous wrap. Continue this
process until you have 4 or 5
wraps.

Take the short end of the rope,
and wrap it behind the long
rope, counterclockwise.

Now push the end back through
the loop.

Gently pull alternately on the
short end and the long end until
the knot is all snug.

When tension is exerted on the
long rope, the loop clamps
down on the wraps around the
limb, keeping the restraint from
tightening up.