Thanks for your question JRB...
Will try to answer as best I can...
1. The left/right orientation. Quite obviously, I could have tied the mirror image of this hitch and its properties would be quite the same. Why this way? I am right handed and it just seemed easier to tie this way.
All knots have a mirror version - and this isn't something that is acknowledged or even published by most knot book authors or content writers. For example, in a typical knot book, all of the various knot species that are illustrated with be showcased in one orientation. Obviously this saves space - since the author would have double the content (ie 2 images of each knot). At the very least, authors and content writers should have at least one page in their book explaining chirality and mirror forms of knots - so readers are made aware of the concept.
If you look at the 'Ashley Book of Knots' - and in particular all of the illustrated 'Bowlines' - you will notice that they all have right-handed (Z) chirality. For example, the simple Bowline illustrated at #1010 has 'Z' chirality. Ashley does not illustrate or even mention that it is equally valid to tie the same knot with 'S' chirality.
What does this mean? It is likely that Ashley was right-hand dominant (ie a right hander). Also, maybe Ashley did not have a well developed concept of chirality?
EDIT NOTE:In your present case, the following are worth investigating:
1. When forming the initial '180 degree U turn' around the host object (eg a tree limb) - you have a choice of 2 different 'directions'. Depending on your
reference frame, this could be conceptualized as 'clockwise' direction or 'anti-clockwise' direction.
2. When forming a 'U turn', the continuing leg will lie on one side of the SPart - you could experiment with the continuing leg formed on both sides of the SPart.
If all this is getting difficult to follow - tie your JRB hitch and then hold it adjacent to a plane mirror - note the appearance in the mirror.
2. The up/down orientation. It takes load well in all directions but why did I choose to put the load line as the top strand going around the object? Frankly, I just guessed that it would be more stable that way and never gave it a second thought. Until today....
The notional concept of 'up' and 'down' can be problematic and awkward to define. For example, some knot book authors have attempted to explain the tying process using words such as 'up', 'down', 'left' and 'right'. Unfortunately, these descriptors usually only have meaning to the author.
Think of space (eg an astronaut in space) - is there an 'up' or a 'down'?
If terms such as 'up' and 'down' are used - a reference frame must be carefully defined.In your case, you are forming
turns around the
host object.
On one side you have a 'standing part' (SPart) and the opposite rope segment is the 'tail' (ie release line).
Load enters your hitch via the 'SPart'.
The forces binding it in this orientation were different and I was not able to get it to spill until I unloaded it and released it. It held firmly after one stage.
Okay - this is
very important information.
Yes - you need to re-run your tests with a 'control'.
I am going to assume that you know what a 'control' is in all testing using the 'scientific method'?
The position of the first 'U turn' of the SPart around the host appears to be a key factor in boosting the fault tolerance of the JRB hitch.
Now we just need the experimental results to prove it.
You will need to define 'down' and 'up' carefully - perhaps within the reference frame of a tree - designating the
ground as 'down' and the tree canopy as 'up'.
I also urge you to test the release sequence with
100kg load on the 'SPart' and then compare with
zero load on the SPart.
Your previous video was very dark - and I had difficulty discerning the fine details.