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In this lesson we will dive into more survival tips, focusing on different knots, lashings, and hitches. You'll learn when and where they can be used and how to tie them. Grab you favorite string and let's get tied-up!
In this lesson we will dive into more survival tips, focusing on different knots, lashings, and hitches. You'll learn when and where they can be used and how to tie them. Grab you favorite string and let's get tied-up!
Why Knot Make a Knot?
Why Knot Make a Knot?
You never know when you might need a knot!
Knots are classified as hitches, bends, splices, or knots. A hitch fastens a rope to another object; a bend unites two rope ends; a splice is a multi-strand bend or loop.
A knot in a sense serves as a stopper or knob at the end of a rope to keep that end from slipping through a grommet or eye. You use knots in setting up your tent and in making camp gadgets. You use knots in pioneering and boating and canoeing. And someday you may even save a life because you know how to tie the proper knot. The trick in knot tying is to use the right knot and to tie it correctly. The right knot holds when you want it to hold and unties quickly. The wrong knot may come untied when you put a strain on it or may jam so hard that you can't untie it.
Below we have a series of instructional videos that will teach you how to tie six useful knots. For those who want a paper version, you can print out the sheet to the right. Good luck!
Scout Knots Handout.pdfThe Square Knot
The Square Knot
The square knot has many uses, from securing bandages and packages to joining two ropes together. A square knot works best when pressed against something else and the ropes are of the same diameter. It should not be used to hold a heavy load.
The square knot has many uses, from securing bandages and packages to joining two ropes together. A square knot works best when pressed against something else and the ropes are of the same diameter. It should not be used to hold a heavy load.
Uses
Uses
Tying neckerchiefs and neckerchief slides in navy uniforms, karate belts, baseball gloves, triangular bandages, webbing, handkerchiefs, bandanas.
As a substitute for cargo straps.
Making bows (ribbons are good for these) on dresses, etc.
In surgical sutures, beadwork, electrical wire splice, logos and hair braids.
Camping.
Pioneering.
Knitting.
Joining crochet yarn.
In magic tricks.
Making no-sew fleece blankets, napkin rings, headbands.
Securing things to a horse’s saddle.
Advantages
Advantages
Easy and quick to tie
It slips and comes undone. Hence should not be used as a bend.
Disadvantages
Disadvantages
Elegant but not strong
Only suited for light duty. Unsafe for tying or binding heavy loads
Shouldn't be used in life-saving applications
Two Half Hitches
Two Half Hitches
Two half-hitches is a type of knot, specifically a binding knot or hitch knot. One variety consists of an overhand knot tied around a post, followed by a half-hitch. This knot is less often referred to as a clove hitch over itself, or double half-hitch.
Two half-hitches is a type of knot, specifically a binding knot or hitch knot. One variety consists of an overhand knot tied around a post, followed by a half-hitch. This knot is less often referred to as a clove hitch over itself, or double half-hitch.
Uses
Uses
To tie guy lines to a dining fly.
Making macrame bracelets, etc.
Tying boats to pilings.
Securing the ends of a rope that ties things to the top rack of a van.
Two half hitches and a taut line hitch are used to set up tents.
Advantages
Advantages
Non-jamming release
Adjustable
Secure
Ties quickly
Disadvantages
Disadvantages
Difficult to untie
Taut Line Hitch
Taut Line Hitch
The Taut Line Hitch is essentially a Rolling Hitch tied on the standing part of a tight line after it has been secured around a object. Campers like to use this knot to secure tent guy lines because the hitch slides freely, yet jams under load, making adjustments to the line easy.
The Taut Line Hitch is essentially a Rolling Hitch tied on the standing part of a tight line after it has been secured around a object. Campers like to use this knot to secure tent guy lines because the hitch slides freely, yet jams under load, making adjustments to the line easy.
Bowline Knot
Bowline Knot
The bowline is a very old knot and can be used for many different purposes. Most often, the bowline is used to form a fixed eye at the end of a rope. A "fixed eye" is a loop that can be made almost any size and it doesn't change. The bowline won't slide or cinch to change the size of the loop. It has the virtue of being both easy to tie and untie; most notably, it is easy to untie after having weight on the knot.
Uses
Uses
To tie a mooring line around a tree, post, pole, anchor, ring, ladder, or any other object.
Boating, sailing (for example, tying a jib sheet to the clew of a jib), fishing.
It is thrown and tied around the waist for rescue operations, firefighting.
By boy scouts, linemen.
For attaching soft strings to a banjo, tree climbing, hanging hammocks using guy lines, tying a horse safely, connecting a handle line to a kite.
Advantages
Advantages
It does not slip or bind under load
Fast and easy to tie and untie
Does not jam
Disadvantages
Disadvantages
If there is a load in the standing end, it cannot be tied or untied. Hence, it should be avoided in that case.
Its ease of untying makes it unsuitable for mountain and rock climbing. It should be tied with a stopper knot (double overhand) when used for such purposes.
Sheet Bend Knot
Sheet Bend Knot
The sheet bend is practical for joining lines of different diameter or rigidity. It is quick and easy to tie, and is considered so essential it is one of the six knots given in the International Guild of Knot Tyers' Six Knot Challenge, along with the clove hitch, bowline, square knot, round turn and two half-hitches, and sheep-shank. The sheet bend is related to the bowline.
The sheet bend is practical for joining lines of different diameter or rigidity. It is quick and easy to tie, and is considered so essential it is one of the six knots given in the International Guild of Knot Tyers' Six Knot Challenge, along with the clove hitch, bowline, square knot, round turn and two half-hitches, and sheep-shank. The sheet bend is related to the bowline.
Uses
Uses
To temporarily join two ropes, especially if they are of different sizes and materials.
Along with the carrick bend, it is most commonly used for making the junctions of nets, including climbing and cargo nets.
For building hammocks.
For boating purposes.
Advantages
Advantages
Secure
Quick to tie
Easily untied
Stronger replacement of square knot
Disadvantages
Disadvantages
If there is a load in the standing end, it cannot be tied or untied. Hence, it should be avoided in that case.
Its ease of untying makes it unsuitable for mountain and rock climbing. It should be tied with a stopper knot (double overhand) when used for such purposes.
Like the bowline, it has a tendency to become loose when it is not under load. For increased security measures, you can add another turn in the smaller end, making a double sheet bend.
Clove Hitch
Clove Hitch
The clove hitch is considered to be one of the most important knots alongside the sheet bend and bowline. It is known as a double hitch, it is simply 2 back to back half hitches around a cylindrical object such as a tree, ax or a post. The Clove hitch can also be tied with webbing.
The clove hitch is considered to be one of the most important knots alongside the sheet bend and bowline. It is known as a double hitch, it is simply 2 back to back half hitches around a cylindrical object such as a tree, ax or a post. The Clove hitch can also be tied with webbing.
Uses
Uses
Functions as a crossing knot.
To start and finish a lashing such as the conventional square lashing in pioneering.
For the master point in a fixed rock climbing anchor. Can also connect a personal anchor.
By placing the knot on the spine of a carabiner you create a "biner block" that securely blocks against a rapid decent.
In solo climbing (for self-belaying on a carabiner) and for rappel transitions.
Hoisting.
In decorative macramé patterns (for eg. tying a square knot inside a clove hitch diamond).
For tying bandages (arm slings) in case of injuries and for first aid.
To tie a fender to a rail on a moving boat.
In hammock hanging systems.
Advantage
Advantage
Easy
The rope on either side of the hitch can be adjusted without untying the knot
Can be tied with one hand effectively shortening belay transitions
Unties easily in Dyneema slings unlike the overhand knot
Holds tight when 1 strand is weighted
Disadvantages
Disadvantages
Slipping
Binding
Unreliable when tied to a rectangular or square post
Thinner ropes, when heavily loaded may be difficult to untie
Knot Challenge
Knot Challenge
Ok, you have this whole knot thing down! how about a challenge!
Meet the Monkey's Fist Knot. A monkey's fist is a type of knot, so named because it looks somewhat like a small bunched fist. It is typically tied at the end of a rope to serve as an anchor, or weight for throwing the rope, or, in our situation, as an ornamental memento.
We saved this one for last because it is a difficult know to master, but once you learn, you will find a ton of reasons to tie it - even just to impress your friends and family. The video to the right will show you how to time the knot, but practice will make perfect.
Good luck!
Quick Quiz
Quick Quiz
Part of the fun with knots is being able to identify them by sight...kind of like birds! Test yourself to see how well you can identify these six knots - you will be great!
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