This is a place for discussing the following issues:  N.B.K.Differentiating between Knots

The following guidelines can help determine whether two .Knots are the same as each other or different from each other:

• If two .Knots have a different geometry/structure then they are different .Knots.  For example, the Overhand Knot and the Figure-Eight Knot have a different geometry/structure, so they are different .Knots.

• If two .Knots have the same essential geometry/structure, but they are .Dressed differently, then they are the same .Knot.  For example, the Alpine Butterfly can be .Dressed so that both ends of .Cord leave the .Knot in opposite directions to each other (perpendicular to the .Knot_Structure), or it can be .Dressed so that both ends leave the .Knot parallel to each other.  These two .Dressings result in the same .Knot.  However, if two .Knots have the same essential geometry/structure while being tied, but they are .Dressed differently such that their gripping characteristics are not the same, then they are different .Knots.

• If two .Knots have the same geometry/structure but their "types" are different, then they are different .Knots.  For example, the Sheet Bend and the Bowline have the same geometry/structure in their .Knots, but the Sheet Bend is a .Union_Type and the Bowline is a .Ring_Type.  Since they are different types of .Knots, they are therefore considered to be different .Knots.

• Different tying methods result in the same .Knot unless there is a difference in the .Knots as described above.

There will be situations which are not easily resolved using the above guidelines.  For example, if two .Knots have the same essential geometry/structure, but they have different "handedness" (e.g. if one .Knot is tied using a .Wrap(from FRONT) and the other .Knot is tied using a .Wrap(from BEHIND)), then are they different .Knots?  If the .Tail_End of one Bowline is tied so that it enhances the overall gripping ability compared to the .Tail_End of a second Bowline, then should they be considered as different .Knots or should they be considered as "variants" of the same .Knot?  If a .Knot is tied by combining two or more different .Knots, then should it be considered as a .Knot in its own right?  If two .Knots are the same in all respects based on the above guidelines, but they are .Loaded differently, then should they be considered as different .Knots?

At the present time there is no objective method which handles all of the possible scenarios for differentiating between .Knots, and no objective method is on the horizon.  Therefore, in practice it's the general consensus which determines if .Knots are "new" or "different" or "variants."