General
chinese finger
What does chinese finger mean?
A braided wire-mesh sleeve that slides over a cable end. Pull on the eye and the weave constricts around the cable — same principle as the finger-trap toy kids play with. Electricians use them to pull cable through conduit without damaging the jacket; riggers use them on rope.
"Slip a Chinese finger over the jacket and tie your pull line to the eye."
Origin
Named after the 'Chinese finger trap' novelty toy that works on the same constricting-weave principle.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Chinese finger?
A Chinese finger is a woven-mesh cable grip that tightens its hold the harder you pull on it.
How does a Chinese finger work?
You slide the mesh sleeve over the cable and pull; the weave constricts under load, gripping tighter, as in 'Slip a Chinese finger on the pull rope.'
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Vocabulary Flow — saved to your collection.
