I was out at the local crag yesterday shooting the shit with some climbers I had just met. I said something about how I think the clove hitch is probably my favorite knot that I use it all the time.
One of the guys then launched into a big speech about the dangers of clove hitches and how you have to make sure only to load "the spine side." He said something like "they did tests that showed if you load the wrong side it severely weakens the knot."
I've always thought that the clove was a symmetrical knot and that it would never matter which end the weight is coming from.
Does anyone have any insight on this? Is this guy nuts or have I been dangerously ignorant this whole time? It would be great if anyone who has ever heard of these tests could post a link. Thanks