Knots used backstage, generaly in the main hitches. Like the 'Round turn & two half hitches', 'Rolling' & 'cleat' hitch. The clove hitch is not one I use often especially on fly battens, because of the movement In & Out it can become loose & tighten enough to come undone on the batten. Where a 'round turn & 2 half Hitches, is self tightening. If a 'clove' hitch has been used, I lock it with a half hitch on the standing [load] end, using the running end. Which is quicker & easier than redoing the hitch completely for a 'RT&2h hitches. A 'cleat' hitch comes in handy, especially with a hemp line fly systems, although not so much with sash cleating flats together, as the tie off on the tail cleat, is a derivative of a 'Diamond' hitch & a 'Bow' on a bight for easy release. I don't use the 'Bowline' that much or the 'Reef' knot either. As quick release or 'exploding' knots are more useful, like the good old 'Bow' to tie off cloths & drapes headers. The only time the 'sheetbend' is used is when I'm joining 2 ropes of unequal thickness, which is rare. The 'sheepshank' is only sparingly employed, only if there is a need to shorten a line, without cutting it. There is an old story of a small fishing village & the church bell rope, which would mysteriously & instantly disappear every now & then. Which drove the local vicar round the twist, because with the height of the bell Tower, it would have taken some effort to cut the rope, three quarter of the way up tower, which was over 200 feet. This mystery went on for years & became a constant problem replacing it all the time. Until one day an old fisherman, on his death bed, called for the Vicar to thank him & the parish for suppling good Clean quality rope, when he needed it! The old vicar hot footed to see the old Salt straight away & ask if it was the Bell rope he was talking about? If it was how did he accomplish it so quickly each time. The fisherman said he just climbed up the bell rope, put a 'sheepshank in it & cut the centre rope of the knot. Slid down the rope & jiggled a couple of times, the knot would come undone. He just coiled it up & took the rope to his boat.
All I can say they must have been flaming heavy bell, not to ring, while he climbed Up & then juggled the rope. There again I believe it takes quite some rope haul before the the bell rotates enough & the clanger actually strike. I suppose if the load was fairly constant, it is possible!
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