the field guide to knots: how to identify, tie, and untie over 80 essential knots for outdoor
TRANSCRIPT
AcknowledgmentsThanksfortheloansofvariousmaterials,andforsuggestionsofhelpfulknots,to:SandieandBrendanSabaka;TimBarkerandEdEatonofMaineSport;andShawnBurke.RachelStyerofFeatherWeightdidagreatjobshootingthe
massivephotographyprogramandkeepingitorganized,andwasapleasuretoworkwith.Plusscones.Can’tforgetthescones.
Thisone’sfortheMaineCanoeSymposium,thePenobscotPaddle&ChowderSociety,andallmycanoeingfriends
B.H.
TheFieldGuideto
KNOTSHOWTOIDENTIFY,TIE,ANDUNTIEOVER80ESSENTIALKNOTSFOROUTDOORPURSUITS
BobHoltzmanauthorofWildernessSurvivalSkills
Contents
Introduction
WhyThisKnotBook?
HowtoUseThisBook
WhatKnotsAreIncluded?
WhySoManyKnots?
GeneralGuidelinesforTyingKnots
Safety
PartOne:RopeandKnotBasics
AnatomyandTaxonomy
WorkingTermsandBasicShapes
TypesofKnots
FinishingKnots
UntyingKnots
BuyingRope
RopeConstructionandMaterials
NaturalVersusSyntheticFibers
CaringforRope
CoilingforStorage
AlpineCoil
Fireman’sCoil
WrappedandReef-knottedCoil
ButterflyCoil
PartTwo:FoundationKnots
1.OverhandKnot
2.SlippedOverhandKnot
3.DoubleOverhandKnot
4.OverhandLoop
5.SingleHitch
6.HalfKnot
7.HalfHitch
8.SlippedHalfHitch
PartThree:StopperKnots
9.Figure8Knot
10.Figure8Knot—AlternateMethod
11.SlippedFigure8Knot
12.StopperKnot
13.SinkStopperKnot
14.StevedoreKnot
15.HeavingLineKnot
16.Monkey’sFist
PartFour:BindingKnots
17.SquareKnot
18.SlippedSquareKnot
19.GrannyKnot
20.ThiefKnot
21.Surgeon’sKnot
22.Surgeon’sKnotwithSecondTuck
23.StrangleKnot
24.Miller’sKnot
25.Packer’sKnot
PartFive:LoopKnots
26.DoubleOverhandLoop
27.Figure8Loop
28.ThreadedFigure8Loop
29.DirectionalFigure8Loop
30.Fisherman’sLoop
31.DoubleOverhandSlidingLoop
32.Angler’sLoop
33.Bowline
34.BowlinewithStopper
35.One-handedBowline
36.DutchBowline
37.BowlinewithTwoTurns
38.WaterBowline
39.PortugueseBowline
40.EskimoBowline
41.BowlineonaBight
42.SpanishBowline
43.AlpineButterfly
PartSix:Bends
44.WaterKnot
45.SheetBend
46.DoubleSheetBend
47.TuckedSheetBend
48.Three-waySheetBend
49.FlemishBend
50.DoubleFigure8Bend
51.CarrickBend
52.ZeppelinBend
53.Hunter’sBend
54.Ashley’sBend
55.Fisherman’sKnot
56.DoubleFisherman’sKnot
57.BloodKnot
PartSeven:Hitches
58.MarlinespikeHitch
59.RoundTurnandTwoHalfHitches
60.TurnandTwoHalfHitches
61.TautLineHitch
62.BuntlineHitch
63.AnchorBend—Version1
64.AnchorBend—Version2
65.CloveHitch
66.CloveHitchonaBight
67.ConstrictorKnot
68.RollingHitch
69.TimberHitch
70.CowHitchMethod1:OnaBight
71.CowHitchMethod2:InaSling
72.CowHitchMethod3:OvertheEnd
73.CowHitchMethod4:WithOneWorkingEnd
74.PedigreeCowHitch
75.CowHitchwithaToggle
76.MooringHitch
77.Highwayman’sHitch
PartEight:LashingsandSpecial-purposeKnots
78.SquareLashing
79.DiagonalLashing
80.SheerLashing
81.PoleLashing
82.SlipKnotTrucker’sHitch
83.Sheepshank
84.CleatHitch
85.PrusikKnot
86.KlemheistKnot
87.ItalianHitch
PartNine:WhippingandSeizing
MaterialsandGeneralMethods
CommonWhipping
FrenchWhipping
FlatSeizing
Glossary
Resources
Index
Credits
Introduction
WhyThisKnotBook?Knottyingisanessentialoutdoorskill.Knotsareindispensibletobackpackers,climbers,boaters,andanglers.Andanyonewhospendstimeinthebackcountry—includingdayhikers,birdwatchers,hunters,cross-countryskiers,snowshoers,equestrians,andmountainbikers—shouldhavebasicknot-tyingskillsforeverydayandemergencysituations.Andreally,justabouteveryonehastotiestuffuponoccasion,anddoingitrightmakesthejobquicker,easier,neater,andsafer.
Buttherearealreadyalotofknotbooksoutthere,sowhatmakesthisonedifferent?Threethings:
1.It’sdesignedtoallowyoutoidentifymostfunctionalknotsyou’relikelytoencounterinoutdooractivities.That’swhatmakesthebooka“fieldguide.”
2.Thebookexplainshowtountieeachknot.That’smoreimportantthanitmayseem.Whetheryouneedtochangeasail,repositionalooponaclimbingrope,tightenasaggingdiningfly,orspliceabrokententpole,untyingknotsisoftenthefirststep.Doingitcorrectlywillmakethejobgofasterandmayreducedamagetotherope.
3.Itprovidesanefficientwaytoselecttherightknotforanyjob.Ratherthanmakingyoureadlengthydescriptionsofdozensofknotstofindonethat’sappropriate,thisbookprovidesaquickoverviewofeveryknotatthebeginningofeachpart,soyoucanquicklyzeroinontheonethatbestsuitsyourneeds.
Ofcourse,thebookexplainshowtotietheknotsandincludesalternatemethodsforafewofthem.Italsogivesyoutheinformationyouneedtoselecttherightkindofropeanditexplainshowtouseitefficiently,andhowtokeepitingoodcondition.Goodropeisexpensive,andifyou’reusingitinsituationswherepersonalsafetyisatstake,youwanttoknowyoucandependonit.
HowtoUseThisBookJustasafieldguidetobirdsisorganizedbycategories(wadingbirds,perchingbirds,hawks,etc.),theknotsinthisbookareorganizedintocategories.Whetheryouneedtountieanexistingknotorselectanewknotforajob,thewaytobeginistoidentifytheknotordefineyourrequirementbygeneraltype—bindingknots,hitches,loopknots,etc.—andthennarrowthesearchtothespecificknot.UnderTypesofKnotsyouwillfindinformationaboutthemaincategoriesofknotsandwhatthey’reusedfor.
Onceyouknowthecategoryofknotyou’relookingat,orthatyouneedtotie,turntothepartofthebookthatcoversthatcategoryindetail.Eachpartbeginswithanidentificationkey,consistingofphotographsofeveryknotinthecategory,accompaniedbyabrieflistoftheknot’scommonuses.Youwillalsofindpro-and-concommentsthatcompareagivenknottoothersinthecategory,intermsofsecurity,easeoftyingoruntying,andotherneed-to-knowinformation.Eachphotoiskeyedtothepagewheretyinganduntyinginstructionsarefound,alongwithamoredetaileddescriptionoftheknotanditsuses.
Likeanyotherskill,knottinghasspecialterminology,butthelexiconisprettysmallandeasilylearned.Itismucheasiertoreadandfollowinstructionsthatuseprecise,concisetermsratherthanlongdescriptions.
SobesuretoreadthefirsttwosectionsofPartTwo.Assoonasyoubegintyingyourfirstknots,thesetermswillallbecomefamiliarfriends.
Knowinghowtotietherightknotforeveryjobisauseful—sometimesessential—outdoorskill.Butit’salsofun,gratifying,andveryimpressivewhenyoucanquicklyrigasafetylineforaclimber,lashacanoeontoacar,orputupatarpthatstaysupwhileothersarestrugglingandflailingwithtangledlinesandknotsthatdon’thold.Startbylearningjustafewknotsineachcategory,andyoumayfindyourselfcomingbackformore.
WhatKnotsAreIncluded?Ofliterallythousandsofknotsandsimilarropeworkdevicesknownformanypurposes,thereare87(includingvariations)inthisbook.Howdidwedecidewhichtoinclude?Well,thisisapracticalguideforoutdoorsenthusiasts,andtheknotsherearepracticalinthesensethateachofthemworkwellforanumberofoutdoorsituations,andthey’rerelativelyeasytolearn,tie,andremember.
Ofcourse,thisbookincludesknotsinallthemaincategories,includingstopperknots,bindingknots,loopknots,bends,andhitches.Knotsthataredesignedtomakeupbundlesorpackages(bindingknots)arenotappropriateformakingconnectionsbetweentwoobjectswithasectionofrope(aswhentyingananchorline,forwhichyou’dwantahitch).Andwithincategories,thereareknotsthatarefine-tunedtomorespecifictasks—forexample,loopsthatareadjustableversusloopswithafixedsize,orknotsthattradeoffeaseoftyingforgreatersecurity.
Othercategoriesincludelashings,whippings,seizings,andcoils.Someofthesearenotknotsperse,buttheyallinvolveknotsandtheyareallessentialropeworkskillsfortheoutdoors.
Justasbackpackersselectgearthatservesmorethanonepurposeinordertoreduceweightintheirpacks,wepreferropeskillsthatcanbeusedinmanyways,toavoidfillingouroverburdenedmemorybankswithalotofsingle-purposeinformation.Mostoftheknotschosenarepracticalforavarietyofoutdooractivities,equallyusefulforcamping,boating,climbing,fishing,wildernessliving,andsurvival.Forthesamereason,therearenoknotsthatarepurelydecorative.Decorativeknottingisafinehobby,butthatsimplyisn’tanobjectiveofthisbook.
Mostoftheknotshereareprimarilyfortyingintwisted-orbraided-fiberropes.Afewofthemalsoworkwellinmonofilamentfishingline,webbing,leatherstraps,orbungeecord,butnoneofthemarelimitedtothesematerials.Noneofthemareappropriatetowirerope.
Finally,alltheknotsherecanbetiedwithouttoolsandwithoutunlaying(i.e.,untwisting)thestrandsorundoingthebraidsfromwhichtheropeisconstructed.Theonly“special”materialintroducediswhippingthread,whichisusedtopreventtheendsofropefromunraveling,andthewhippingandseizing
preventtheendsofropefromunraveling,andthewhippingandseizingtechniquesshowndonotrequiretheuseofaneedleorsailmaker’spalm.
WhySoManyKnots?It’sonethingtosaythatabindingknotisappropriatefortyingupapackageandahitchisawaytotietwothingstogetherwithasectionofropeinbetween.It’sanothertounderstandwhytherearedifferentknotsfordifferenttasks.Eventhesimplestknothasmorethanadozencharacteristicsthatdeterminehowwellitwillworkinagivenapplication:
Complexity:Howmanystepsareinvolved?Howdifficultisittolearnandremember?
Easeoftying:Quiteseparatefromitscomplexity,howdifficultortime-consumingisittotie?
Easeofuntying:Afterit’sbeentightened,canitbeuntiedwithease?
Security:Willtheknotstaytiediftheropeispulledeventighter?Willitstaytiediftheknotisn’ttiedverytight?Eveniftheknotremainstied,willitslip?(Ifit’saloopknot,willthesizeoftheloopchange?Ifit’sahitch,willitshiftrelativetotheobjectit’stiedto?)
Securityundershockload:Willitremainsecureiftheropeissubjectedtoasharpjerk?Howaboutifit’sshakenrepeatedly,likeonaflaghalyard?
Adjustability:Afterit’stied,cantheknotbemadetighterorlooser?Largerorsmaller?
Adaptabilitytovarioussizesandmaterials:Canitbetiedeffectivelyinboththinandthickrope?Inflatmaterials?Withropesmadefrombothnaturalandsyntheticfibers?Howwillthesedifferencesaffectitssecurity,easeofuntying,etc.?
Abilitytobindtight:Cantheknotbetiedtightlytooraroundanotherobject?(Thinkaboutneedinganotherthumbinordertotieupapackagetightly.)
Abilitytobindloose:Cantheknotbetiedsecurelybutlooselyaroundanotherobject?(Thinkaboutaloopintheendofaropethatyoumightdropoverthetopofapost,butthatyoudonotwanttotightenaroundthepostwhenyoupulltheropetight.)
Retentionofropestrength:Allknotsweakenrope,butsomenotasmuchasothers.
Amountofroperequired:Someknotsrequirealot;othersnotsomuch.
Bulk:Howbigisthefinishedknot?Willitinterferewiththemovementoftheropeortheobjecttowhichit’stied?
Howmanyendsarerequired?Someknotscanbetiedonlyifbothendsoftheropearefree.Othersrequireonlyoneend,andsomecanbetied“onthebight,”inthemiddleoftheropewithneitherendfree.
Withsomanyvariablestoconsider,it’snotsurprisingthatpractitionersofdifferenttradesandoutdoorpursuitscreatedknotsthatcombinedexactlythosecharacteristicssuitabletothetaskathand.
GeneralGuidelinesforTyingKnotsNoneoftheknotshereareparticularlycomplicated,butevenso,it’sprettyeasytogetthemwrongifyoumakeasimplemistake,likepassingonepartoftheropeoveranotherwhenyoushouldbepassingitunder.Relyingonbothtextandimages,carefullyfollowinstructionsstepbystep,payingcloseattentiontooverversusunder,leftversusright,workingendversusstandingpart,andthedirectionofloops(i.e.,clockwiseorcounterclockwise,overhandorunderhand).ThesetermsareexplainedunderWorkingTermsandBasicShapes.
Ifaknotdoesn’tcomeoutright,untieitcompletelyandstartfromthebeginning,makingsureeachstepisdoneexactlyasshown.
Sometimesacorrectlytiedknotwon’tlooklikethephotograph,inwhichcase,itwillsimplyneedtobefaired,i.e.,workedintoshapebysomecarefulrearrangement.SeeFinishingKnotsfordirectionsonfinishingandfairingknots.
Allknotscanbetiedupsidedownorasmirrorimagesoftheexamples.Whenlearninghowtotieaknotupsidedownfromthewayit’spictured,youcansimplyturnthebookupsidedownandfollowthephotosinthenormalorder.Totieaknotthat’samirrorimageofthephoto(inwhichleftandrightarereversed),youcanviewthepicturesinamirror.Rememberthatwhenyoudosuchareversal,somebutnotallofthefollowingdirectionalpairsmayneedtobereversedaswell:left/right,up/down,over/under,overhand/underhand,andclockwise/counterclockwise.
There’smorethanonewaytotiemostknotstoproduceidenticalresults.Thechoiceofanalternatemethodmaybemerelyamatterofpreference,oritmaybedictatedbythesituation.Thisbookprovidesalternatemethodsforafewknots,butdifferentapproachesmayworkjustaswellforalmostanyofthem.
Ropecomesinmanyvarietiesandsizes,andsomeknotsdon’tworkwellwithallkindsofrope.Twisted(“laid”)ropekinksmorereadilythanbraidedropeifloopedinthewrongdirection.Large-diameterropemaynottakekindlytobeingbentintoasmallradius.Somesyntheticropesaretooslipperytoholdcertainknotssecurely.Andropesofgreatlydifferentsizesordifferentmaterialsmay
notknottogethereasilyoreffectively.SeeBuyingRopetolearnhowtoselectropethat’sappropriatetoyourneeds.
It’sonethingtotieaknotwiththebookinfrontofyouonthekitchentable—it’sanothertotieitwhenyouneeditinareal-worldsituation.Thekeytotrulylearningaknotismemorizationthroughrepetitionandpractice.Afteryou’vetiedaknotafewtimesusingthebook,trydoingitfrommemory.Thentryagaininanhour,andagainthefollowingday.Withtheexceptionofthesimplestknots,chancesarethatyoumayforgettheprocedure.Buttiethatknotfrommemoryeverydayforaweek,andyou’llownit.Then,whenyouneedaknotfast,you’llbeabletodoitconfidentlyandcorrectly,regardlessofconditions.
SafetyPersonalsafetyinoutdooractivitiescandependupongoodropeandwell-tiedknots.Climberscarefullyinspecttheirropesandhabituallycheckeachother’sknotstoguardagainstmistakes.Ifyoudon’thaveaccesstoexperiencedbackup,it’simportanttocheckyourownknotsscrupulouslybeforerelyingonthem.Ifyou’reunsureaboutaparticularknot,itmaybesafertosubstituteoneinwhichyouhavetotalconfidence,evenifitmightbelessconvenient.
Brokenfibersindicatethatthisropeiswellpastitsusefullifeforanypurposewheresafetyisatstake
Theconditionoftheropeitselfisalsoofkeyconcern.Justsittingonashelf,almostallropeswilldeterioratewithage,andwearaccelerateswithuseandexposuretotheelements.Inspectanyropeinchbyinchbeforeusingitinasafety-relatedapplication.Signsofexcessivewearorageinclude:fraying,permanentkinks,discoloration,brokenormeltedfibers,reduceddiameter,thecoverslidingoverthecore,andareaswheretheangleofthelayorbraidchanges.
Thesafeworkingloadofmostropeisprintedonthepackage.It’susuallyconsiderablylowerthanthebreakingstrength
“Breakingstrength”istheloadatwhicharopebreaksunderlaboratoryconditions,whenbrandnewandundersteadilyincreasingload.Thisfiguremaynotbereadilyavailabletotheconsumer,butworkingload—themaximumloadtowhichthemanufacturerrecommendstheropebesubjected—isusuallyprintedonthepackaging,oronthereelinstoreswhereropeissoldbythefootormeter.
Theworkingloadisusuallyintherangeof15–25percentofthebreakingstrength.Thismayseemoverlycautious,butinfactit’smerelyprudent.Mostropebecomesweakerwhenwet,andmanyknotsreducethestrengthofropebyhalf,soassoonasyoutieaknot,therope’smarginofsafety(thedifferencebetweenitsactualbreakingstrengthandtheworkingload)coulddropfrom4:1toabout2:1.Theworkingloadalsoallowsareasonablesafetymarginconsideringtheageoftherope,itswear,and,toanextent,anyshockloads(sharpjerks)ithasabsorbed.Anyropethathasbeensubjectedtoareallyheavyshockloadshouldberetiredfromusewheresafetyisanissue,andusedhenceforthonlyinnon-criticalapplications.
Ropesinlong-termoutdoorstaticuse(suchassecuringtarpsoverboatsorstackedfirewood)areexposedtosunshineandfrequentcyclesofwet/dryandfreeze/thaw,andtheypickupblowndust.Alloftheseshortenarope’slifespan.CheappolypropyleneropeisparticularlysubjecttodegradationfromUVexposure,whichcanmakethefibersbrittleinamatterofweeks.Thesekindsofcommonplaceusesareagoodwaytore-usehigh-qualityropethathasreachedtheendofitssafeworkinglifeinmorecriticalapplications.
Climbingropeshavedetailspermanentlymarkedwithendlabels
Manyropes—includingallmodernclimbingropes—areconstructedintwo(occasionallythree)layers,withacentralstrengthmemberorcorecomposedof(usually)twistedstrands,coveredbyabraidedmantle(alsoknownasasheathorcover)thatprotectsthecorefromabrasionandprovidesagoodgrippingsurface.Thecoreofaclimbingropemaybeweakenedordamagedduetoarrestingafall,whilethemantleremainsintact.
Becausethiskindofdamagecan’tbereadilydetectedbyvisualinspection,itisessentialtofollowthemanufacturer’sguidelinesonwhentoretireaclimbingrope.Toabidebytheseguidelines,it’simportanttorecordropeuseinalogbook,notingthedateofmanufacture,thedatefirstputintouse,thetypeofuse,thedurationofeachuse,thecumulativeamountoftimeused,thenumberofclimbs,theheightofanyfallsarrested,andanyknowndamage.
Clotheslineisinexpensivebutweak.Donotuseitinanyapplicationwheresafetyisatstake.
Ifyou’veeverseenaboatairborneoverahighway,chancesareitwas“secured”tothevehiclewitheitherclotheslineorbungeecords.Clotheslineischeapandubiquitous,butitisnotadequateforanyapplicationinvolvingsafety.Don’tuse
ubiquitous,butitisnotadequateforanyapplicationinvolvingsafety.Don’tuseittotieupboats,protectagainstfalls,liftheavyloads,orsecurecargotoamotorvehicleortrailer.Bungeecordsareusefultofastentarpsoverstackedmaterial,controlslack,orformatemporarybundle,buttheyshouldneverbeusedtosecurelargeorheavyloads.
Neverusebungeecordstosecureloadstoacar’sroofrack
Itbearsrepeating:testeveryknotbeforerelyingonitforsafety.Improperlytiedknots–andproperlytiedknotsthataren’trightforthejob–cansliporuntiethemselvesunexpectedly,withpotentiallylife-threatening
results.Usethisbooktolearnbasicknot-tyingskills,butseekexpertadviceinsituationswherepersonalsafetyisatstake.
PartOne
RopeandKnotBasics
AnatomyandTaxonomyEveryoneknowswhat“rope,”“string,”and“cord”mean,eveniftheexactdefinitionsanddistinctionsbetweenthesetypesofcordageor“stuff”(themostgeneralandinclusiveterms)canbealittlefuzzy.Evenprofessionalropeworkersandriggersdiffersometimesintheiruseofterminology.Nonetheless,thefollowingdefinitionsaregenerallyaccepted:
Fiber:thesmallestcomponentfromwhichcordageismade.Inanaturalfiberrope,itwouldbethehair-thinstuff,moreorless,asitcomesfromtheplant,likeafiberfromacottonbollorcoconuthusk.Insyntheticrope,it’sasinglefilamentofnylon,polypropylene,orsimilarmaterial.
Yarn:madefromtwistedfibers;oftenaboutthediameterofsewingthread.
Strand:madefromtwistedyarns.Mostlaidropesconsistofthreestrandstwistedtogether.Thisbookalsousesstrandinanon-technicalsenseintheknot-tyinginstructions,todistinguishonesectionofaropeorknotfromanother,asin“taketheleftstrandofthecrossingturnandcrossitovertherightstrand.”
Rope:themostcommonweightofcordageusedforknotsinoutdooruse,typically3/8in.(9mm)orgreaterindiameter.
Line:anon-specifictermforaropewhenit’sinuse,especiallyonboats.Takeapieceofropeanduseittoraiseasail,andit’ssuddenlyaline.Thisbookwillusetheterms“rope”and“line”interchangeably.
Hawser:thesameasarope,butthetermisgenerallyusedonlyforropesthataretwistedintocables(seebelow).Somewhatconfusingly,itcanalsomeanaveryheavylineusedfortowing,mooring,anchoring,ortyinguplargeships,inwhichcase,thelineprobablyisalengthofcable.
Cable:veryheavystuffmadeupofthreetwistedhawsers.Nottypicallyusedoutsideofindustrialapplicationsandships.
WorkingTermsandBasicShapesWithoutsomebasicknot-tyingjargon,instructionswouldbeimpossiblylongandconvoluted.Wewillusemostofthesetermsrepeatedlythroughoutthebook.
Workingend,workingpart,orrunningend:thefreeendofaropemanipulatedintyingaknot.
Standingend,standingpart:theendoftheropethatisnotfullysubjecttomanipulationinknottying.Often,itisalreadyfastenedtosomethingelse.Thestandingpartisthelengthofropefacingthestandingendandnotsubjecttomanipulation.
Bight:asharpsmall-radiuscurveinaropeinwhichtheworkingandstandingpartsarebroughtneartoorincontactwithoneanother.Itcanalsomeananypartoftheropeotherthantheends.Aknotthatistied“onthebight”istiedsomewhereinthemiddle,withoutmanipulationofeitherend.
Bitterend:thelastinchortwoofarope—tooshortasectiontoreallyworkwith.
Loop:somewhatlikeabight,butthecurveisofalargerradiusanditenclosesmorearea.Thetermalsodescribesthepartofaloopknotorotherropestructurethatcompletelyencirclesanobject.
Crossingturn:acurveinwhichtheropecrossesoveritselfonce.Ifyoutwistabight180degrees,acrossingturnistheresult.
Elbow:Takeabightandtwistit360degrees:theelbowsarethetwosectionsofropebetweenthecrossingturnatthetop,andtheworkingendandstandingpartatthebottom.
Overhandandunderhand:acrossingturninwhichtheworkingendisoverthestandingpartisknownas“overhand,”asinthephotobelow.An“underhand”crossingturnistheopposite,wheretheworkingendisunderthestandingpart,asinthephotoabove.Thecrossingturnmaybeaboveorbelowtherunoftherope.Ifyouturnanoverhandcrossingturnover,itbecomesunderhand.
Clockwiseandcounterclockwise:anotheraspectofthedirectionofacrossingturn.Followtheropearoundtheturnfromthestandingparttowardtheworkingend.Thedirectionofthecurvewillbeeitherclockwiseorcounterclockwise(inthecaseofthephotoabove,it’scounterclockwise).Ifyouturnaclockwisecrossingturnover,itbecomescounterclockwise.
Turn:ahalf-revolutionofropearoundapostorotherfixedobject,sothatbothendsfacethesamedirectionandtheobjectisnotcompletelyencircled(see1.above).
Roundturn:afullrevolutionofropearoundanobject.Theropemaywind360degreesaroundtheobject,soendsfaceinoppositedirections(2.),oritmaywind540degreesaround,sothatendsfacethesamedirection(3.).Iftheobjectistobeencircledbyseveraladjacentroundturns(4.),eachrevolutionisreferredtoasa“wrap.”
LoopyConfusionThemeaningof“loop”issubjecttodisagreementamongropeworkers.Someconsideralooptobethesameasourdefinitionofacrossingturn.Otherssaytheropemustcrossoveritselftwicetobeconsideredaloop(asshowninthephotographofanelbowonthepageopposite).Inthestep-by-stepinstructionsinthisbook,aloopisanarrangementinwhichtheropeenclosesmoreareathanabight,anddoesnotcrossitself.Wealsooccasionallyuse“loop”inamorecommonsensetomeananyrope
formationthatcanencloseanobjectandthat’smorepermanentthanacrossingturn,liketheloopinaloopknot.
TypesofKnotsAlmostanyropeformationthatisusedtofasten,tighten,attach,orconstraintheropeitselforotherobjectscanbecalledaknot.Stopperknots,loopknots,bends,andhitchesareallknotsinthisgeneralsense.(Whippingsandseizingsarenotconsideredknotseveninthisgeneralsenseoftheword,andthestatusoflashingsandcoilsissomewhatambiguous.)Butknotalsohasamorespecifictechnicalmeaning,beingaformationinwhicharopeistiedtoitselfratherthantoanotherobject.
Knotsinthegeneralsensearedividedintocategoriesbaseduponhowtheyareused.Thefollowingdefinitionsnotonlydescribethesubsequentorganizationofthebook,theyalsoserveasguidancetoidentifyinganexistingknotorselectingtherightcategoryofknotforyourneeds.
Foundationknots:thisisanadhoccategorythatintroducessomeofthemostbasicknotsandconcepts,allofwhichareusedrepeatedlythroughoutthebook.SeePartTwo.
Stopperknots:“true”knots,inwhichtheropeistiedtoitselftocreateastructure—usuallyatanend—thatpreventsitfromescapingthroughanarrowopening,addsweightthatallowsittobethrown,orservesasahandhold.SeePartThree.
Bindingknots:trueknotsinwhichtheropeistiedtoitselftotightlyencloseorbindtogetheranotherobjectorobjects.SeePartFour.
Loopknots:trueknotsinwhichtheropeistiedtoitselftoformaclosedloopthatcanbeplacedaroundanobject(likeapost),ortowhichanobjectcanbeconnected(likeacarabiner).Loopknotsmayfitlooselyortightlyaroundtheobjectandthesizeoftheloopmaybeadjustable(knownasslidingloopsornooses)orfixed.SeePartFive.
Bends:ropestructuresthattietheendsoftworopestogether.Nottrueknots.SeePartSix.
Hitches:ropestructuresthattiearopetoanobjectsuchasaringorapost,usuallyatoneend.(Theotherendisgenerallytiedtosomethingelse,likeaboatoratarp.)Hitchesarenottrueknots,astheyaretiedtotheobjectanddependuponitforpartoftheirstructure,whereasaloopknotisfreestandingandindependentoftheobjectitsurrounds.SeePartSeven.
Lashings:consideredbysomeropeworkerstobeinaspecialclassofbindingknots,theseropestructuresgenerallyincorporatenumerousroundturnsorwraps,totietwoormorepolestightlytogetherwhenbuildingastructure.SeePartEight.
Whipping:atightwrappingofheavythreadorsmallcordaroundtheendofarope,topreventitfromunraveling.Awhippingisnotaknot,eveninthegeneralsense.SeePartNine.
Seizing:atightwrappingofheavythreadorsmallcordaroundtwosectionsofrope,usedtojointworopesend-to-end,ortoformaneye(apermanentloop)intheendorinabightofasinglerope.Likewhippings,seizingsarenotknots.SeePartNine.
Coil:anarrangementofropethatkeepsitorderlyandpreventsitfromtanglingduringstorageortransportation.Asameasureofbasicropecare,coilsarecoveredinthispartofthebook,underCoilingforStorage.
Splice:astructureinwhichthestrandsofaropeareseparatedandthenwoventogetherinorderto:terminatetheendofaropetokeepitfromunraveling;formaneyeintheendofarope;orjointworopesend-to-end.Aspliceisnotaknot:itisnottied,anditisconsideredpermanentandnevertobeundone.Splicesarenotcoveredinthisbook.
WhenaKnot’sNotaKnotBecauseropeworkdevelopedasfolkcraftwithindifferenttradesindifferentplaces,andatdifferenttimes,there’smuchinconsistencyinterminology,extendingtotheverynamesofknotsthemselves.(Wecouldn’treallyexpectaScottishshepherd,aMassachusettswhaler,andanOklahomawheatfarmertoagreeonterms,couldwe?)Andsomeknotscanbeusedinmorethanoneway.Hence,aBloodKnotisreallyabend,theFisherman’sBendisactuallyahitch,andaSquareKnotistiedasabendasoftenasit’susedasabindingknot.Sodon’tbesurprisedtofindaknotnameinwhatappearstobethewrongpartofthebook.
FinishingKnotsIfaknotistiedcorrectlybutlackstheexpectedformorsymmetry,itcanoftenbe“faired”—workedintoshapeorrearrangedwithoutuntying.Iftheknotyou’vetiedlooksoutofshape,examinethephotoofthefinishedknotandseeifyoucanreplicateitsimplybypushingorpullingvariouspartsoftheknotrelativetoothers.Fairingaknotisnotonlyamatterofaesthetics:animproperlyformedknotmayalsobeinsecure.
Iftheknothastoomuchslack,itcangenerallybeworkedbackthroughtheknotineitherdirection—towardthestandingpartortowardtheworkingend.Thismayormaynotbeeasierthanuntyingtheknotandstartingagain.Ifyou’ve
mayormaynotbeeasierthanuntyingtheknotandstartingagain.Ifyou’vealreadypulledtheknottight,youwillprobablyhavetoloosenitfirst.Ifaknotsimplywon’ttighten,youmaybepullingthewrongpart.Thisisespeciallycommonwithloopknotsandbends,wherethereareusuallythreeorfourpartstochoosefrom.Thesequenceonthispageshowsanuntidyknot(1.)beingfairedbyfirstlooseningit(2.,3.),thenrearrangingandretighteningitsparts(4.,5.)withoutactuallyuntyingit.
UntyingKnotsTheprocessofuntyingmostknotsissimpleintheory:youidentifytheworkingend,loosenwhateverisholdingitinplace,andthenthreadtheworkingendthroughwhateverelseisholdingitinplaceuntilit’scompletelyfree.
Inpractice,though,manyknotsaredifficulttountieafterthey’vebeenputtouse.Oncetightened,theybecomelikeChinesepuzzlesinwhichyoucan’tloosenPartAuntilPartBisloose,butPartBisheldtightbyPartC,whichishelddownbyPartA.Thisisn’taccidental:it’skeytothetremendoussecurityofmanyknots.
TheSquareKnotiseasytountie.Grabonebightineachhandandpullinoppositedirections.
There’susuallyasolution,though,andeachknotinthisbookhasinstructionsforuntyingit.Thereareafewknots,however,thatjustcan’tbeuntiedreadily(especiallyiftiedinreallysmallstufflikemonofilamentfishingline)andhavetobecut.Thisissomethingtoconsiderbeforeyoutieaknot.
TheAngler’sLoopisverydifficulttountie,andoftenmustbecut.
BuyingRopeTherearedozensoffactorstoconsiderwhenbuyingropeforaspecificpurpose.Onehastoconsiderhowit’sgoingtobeused—theenvironmentitwillbeusedinandthestressesitwillincur—andweighthatagainsttheperformancecharacteristicsofdifferentkindsofrope.Thesefactorsaresummarizedinthetablebelow.
UsageConsiderations
Staticversusdynamicuses Willtheropeprettymuchstayputwhenit’sinuse(aswhensecuringabundle)orwillitbeinmotion(controllingasail,forexample)?Willitrubagainstroughsurfaces,makingabrasionresistanceimportant?Isstretchdesirable(forexample,toabsorbshockloads)orundesirable?
Strengthandsafetymargin Whatcontinuousandshockloadswillitbesubjectto?Howlargeamarginofsafetyisrequired?
Knottingrequirements Whatkindofknotsarerequired?Willtheropebetiedtightlyorloosely,andwillitbetiedtoitself,tootherropes,ortootherobjects?Willtherequiredknotsforcetheropeintosmall-radiuscurves,andwilltheydiminishthestrengthoftheropesignificantly?
Friction Isitdesirableorundesirablethattheropeslideseasilyagainstitselforagainstotherobjects?Willitbehandledfrequently?Ifso,willitoffersufficientgripwithoutexcessiveroughness?
Environmentalexposure Willtheropebeexposedtosunlightforalongtime?Willitbewetwhenit’sinuse?Willitremainwetforlongperiods?Willitbeexposedtohighheat,oil,orotherchemicals?
Weightandsize Isalargediameterdesirableforeasygripping,orasmalldiameterforeasierknotting?Whatlengthofropeisneeded?Howmuchspaceandweight-carryingcapacityisavailableforstorageandtransportation?
Buoyancy Someropesfloatandotherssinkinwater.Iseithercharacteristicrelevanttoyourapplication?
Appearance Arebright,easilyrecognizedcolorsdesirable,orisitpreferablethattheropeblendsinwithitssurroundings?
RopeVariables
Typeoffiber Numerouschoicesofnaturalandsyntheticfibers
Construction Laid,braided,andcombinationdesigns
Diameter Directlyaffectsstrength;alsoinfluencesknotting
ResistancetoUV,heat,rot,chemicals
Afactoroffibertypeandchemicalcoatingsortreatments
Breakingstrengthandworkingload
Afactorofconstruction,fibertype,anddiameter
Stretch Afactorofconstructionandfibertype
Durability Afactorofconstructionandfibertype
Price (Ofcourse)
There’salsoasubjectivefactorinropeselection.Youmaysimplypreferhowacertaintypeofropefeelsandhowitknots.Forknot-tyingpractice,buyavarietyofropetypesinshortlengths:10–12ft.(3–3.75m)ofeachshoulddoit.Getafeelforthemandformyourownopinions.
EstimatingLengthHowmuchcordagetobuy,howmuchtobringintotheoutdoors,andhowmuchyou’llneedforaparticularjoballinvolvedifferentcalculations.Inthelongrun,cordagetendstogetused,sowhenyou’repurchasingropebythefootormeter,it’softenagoodideatobuymorethanyourimmediateneeds.Youmightnotknowrightnowhowyou’llusetherest,butyoucanbeprettyconfidentthatyouwilluseit.
Howmuchtobringwithyou,though,isn’tsoeasy.Backpacks,bikes,horses,boats,andrecreationalvehicleshavelimitedcarryingcapacity,soyou’llhavetoestimatehowmuchropeyoumightneedbetweenresupplyopportunities,andbalancethatagainsthowmuchyoucancomfortablycarry.Planonhavingenoughtocoveronlylikelyemergenciesandropefailures,noteveryconceivableemergencyunderthesun.Sailingimposesheavydemandsonrope,anditisneitherpracticalnorsafetouseundersized,understrengthcordage,butnosailorhaseverhadtoreplaceallhisstays,shrouds,halyards,sheets,andanchorrodesonasinglepassage.Onehundredfeet(30m)ofgood-qualityparachutecordissmallandlightandwillsufficeformostsituationsthatabackpackerislikelytoencounter(excludingrescues).Bottomline:beprepared,notparanoid.
encounter(excludingrescues).Bottomline:beprepared,notparanoid.
Ontheotherhand,almostanygivenjobrequiresmoreropethanyouthink.Knotsuseupalotofinches,andthethickertherope,themoreaknotrequires.Everytimeyoupassaropearoundanobject,youhavetoaccountforstillmorelength.Andyouneedenoughextraropeattheendofaknottohavesomethingtograbontotopullittight.Asaruleofthumb,makeaninitialestimate,thenaddafudgefactorof25percent.
Ontheotherhand,havingtoomuchropeforaparticularjobhasdrawbackstoo.Longerropeismorelikelytobecometangled,andmostknotswilltakelongertotieifyouhavetopullanexcessiveamountofropethrougheverymanipulation.Whenyou’vefinishedtheknot,youmaybeleftwithalotofextrarope.Ifyouleaveitthere,itmightbeintheway.Ifyouchoosetocutextraropeoff,thenyouhaveatleastonemoreropeendtowhipandpossiblyalengthofroperemainingthat’stooshorttobeofanypracticaluse—inotherwords,awaste.
UncoilingNewRopeCordagemustberemovedfrompackagingcorrectlytoavoidcreatingkinks.Ropethatissoldonreelsmustbeunrolled,neverliftedofftheendofthereelasneeded.Passarodordowelthroughthemiddleofthereelandsupportithorizontally,sothatthereelrotatesfreelyasyoupulltheropeofffromthetop.Cordagethatissoldinhollowcoilsorballs(usuallycontainedwithinabox,forrope,orplasticwrap,fortwine)mustbeliftedoutfromthecenterofthecoil,withthecordagebeingtakenfromthebottomofthecoil.Packagedhanksofrope,inwhichcoilsarecompressedbymultipleroundturns,shouldbetreatedlikeareel:thehankshouldberotatedonitslongaxistounwindtheroundturnsuntilthecoilsareexposed.
RopeConstructionandMaterialsCordagederivesitsperformancecharacteristicsfromthetypeoffiberusedandthedesignormethodofconstruction.Thefibersfromwhicharopeismademaybenatural(e.g.,cotton)orsynthetic(e.g.,nylon).Virtuallyallnaturalfiberandmostsyntheticfiberropesconsistofasingletypeoffiber,butsomesyntheticropescombinemorethanonetypeoffiber.
Fibers,yarns,andstrandsmaybeeithertwistedorbraidedtogethertomakerope.Thevastmajorityofnaturalfiberropesaretwisted,whilesyntheticfiberropesareaboutequallydividedbetweenthetwotypesofconstruction.
Manysyntheticropesarebuiltintwolayers,withaninnercoreandoutercover,jacket,sheath,ormantle(seeright).Thiskindofconstruction,commoninclimbingropes,isknownaskernmantle,fromtheGermanfor“core”and“jacket.”Intheseropes,thecoreisthemainstrengthmember,whilethecoverprotectsthecorefromabrasionandenvironmentalwearandprovidesacomfortablegrippingsurface.Thetwoneednotbeofthesameconstruction.Ropeswithbraidedcoversmayhavebraidedcores,twistedcores,orevencoresofstraight,untwistedyarns;differentmaterialsmaybeselectedfortheirdifferentperformancecharacteristics.
Innercore(white)andoutercover(blue)
Aselectionoftwisted(left)andbraided(right)ropes
NaturalVersusSyntheticFibersUntiltheinventionofplastics,allropes(otherthanwireropes)weremadeofnaturalfibers.Indifferenttimesandplaces,thesehaveincludedbothanimalandvegetablefibers.Animalfibersusedinropeworkhaveincludedrawhide,leather,wool,andmanytypesofanimalandhumanhair,butnoneoftheseisincommonuseanymore.Theexceptionsare“catgut”(orsimply“gut”)andsilk.Catgutisactuallyderivedfromtheintestinesofbarnyardanimalssuchassheep,goats,andcattle,anditsuseincordageisalmostentirelylimitedtomedicalsutures,racketstrings,andstringsformusicalinstruments.Silkisalsousedforsuturesandforthreadthatgoesintofinefabricsandrugs.Althoughsilkisextremelystrong,itisneverusedforanybutdecorativeropes,becauseofitshighcost.Withplantfibersbeingsomuchcheaperandmoreabundant,itisnosurprisethattheybecamethenormforindustrial-scaleropemaking,andwhenspeakingofnaturalfiberropes,vegetablefiberisagiven.
Plasticsfirstcameintopracticaluseinthe20thcentury,andtheabilitytoextrudeordrawmoltenplasticintofiberspresentedanewrawmaterialforropemakingthatwasnotonlycheaperthannaturalfibers,buthadseveralperformanceadvantagesaswell.Aseconomiesofscaletookholdandnewplasticsweredeveloped,syntheticropesquicklygainedmarketshareandcametodominatemostuses.Naturalfiberropesaccordinglydeclinedinpopularity,andsomehavefallenoutofusealtogetherexceptforverylimitednicheorartisanalapplications.
NaturalVersusSyntheticFiberRopes
Characteristic Naturalfiberrope Syntheticfiberrope
Construction Mostlytwisted Twistedorbraided
Strength Lowtomedium Mediumtoveryhigh
Stretch Lowtohigh Lowtohigh
Knot-holdingability Mediumtohigh Lowtohigh
Durability Lowtomedium Mediumtoveryhigh
Appearance Traditional Traditionalormodern
Color White,tanorbrown Any
Surface,texture Hairy(maybesoftorbristly) Nothairy(maybesoftorhard)
Buoyancy Sinks(exceptcoir) Sinksorfloats
Chemicalresistance Lowtomedium Lowtoveryhigh
Rotresistance Lowtomedium Veryhigh
Sun/heat/UVresistance Lowtohigh Verylowtoveryhigh
Price Lowtomedium Lowtoveryhigh
NaturalfiberRopeWithfewexceptions(cottonclotheslinebeingoneofthem),naturalfiberropesareoftwistedconstruction.Insomediameterstheyaretheleastexpensiveoption,butforagivensize,eventhebestnaturalfiberropestendtobeweakerthanthecheapestsyntheticones.Comparedtosynthetics,naturalfibersarelessdurableandtheydegrademorequicklyfrommosttypesofenvironmentalexposure.Ontheotherhand,allnaturalfiberropesholdknotswell,whilemanysyntheticropesareslipperyanddifficulttokeeptied.
Althoughsomenaturalfiberropeswillfloatinwaterbriefly,allofthemexceptcoirwillsinkoncetheybecomesaturated.Waterabsorptionmakesnaturalfiberropesheavy,causesthemtoswell,andmakesknotsdifficulttountie.Evenwhiletheyswell,manynaturalfiberropeswillalsoshrinklengthwisewhenwet.Unlikesynthetics,naturalfibersaresubjecttorot.Whilethisisusuallyadrawback,biodegradabilitycanbeanadvantageinsomesituations.
Asidefromtheirsuperiorknot-holdingqualities,themainadvantagesofnatural
Asidefromtheirsuperiorknot-holdingqualities,themainadvantagesofnaturalfiberstendtobeintheareasoflookandfeel.Theycanbeusedtopresentarustic,naturalappearanceontraditionalboatsandassafetybarriersandhandholdsontrailsandincampsandcabins.Whilesomesyntheticropesmimicthistraditionallookconvincingly,itoftencomesatahigherprice.Somefindthefeelofnaturalropemorepleasingtoo,althoughsomenaturalfibersaresofterthanothers,andsomearequitecoarse.
ManilaManilacomesfromtheabacáplant(Musatextillis),aspeciesofbanana.Alongwithhemp,itisthestrongestofthenaturalfiberropes,butmanila’sresistancetorotandsaltwaterdamageissuperior.Itwasoncecommonlyusedforships’hawsers(anchorlines)andfishingnets.Manilaholdsknotswellandshrinkswhenwet,causingknotstotightenfurther:thiscanbeadvantageousinsomeapplicationsandundesirableinothers.
HempWithasmoothtexturemuchlikelinen,hempistheequaltomanilaasthestrongestofthenaturalfibersusedinropemaking.Priortotheintroductionofsynthetics,itwasthemostpopularropeforheavy-dutyapplications.(Shipswereriggedlargelywithhemprope,whichwastarredtopreventrot.)Itholdsknotswellbutissubjecttofairlyhighstretch.ItcomesfromCannabissativa,thesameplantthatisthesourceofmarijuana.Butsmokingapieceofhempropewon’tgetyouhigh;industrialfarmershavebredtheropemakingvarietyforstrength,notpsychoactiveproperties.
SisalThefiberofthesisalplant(Agavesisalana)isamongthestrongerofthenaturalfibers,withgooddurabilityandmediumtohighstretch.Sisaltwineisinexpensiveandisstillincommonuseforbalinghayandgeneralpackagetying.Heavierstuffexhibitsthesamegoodpropertiesbutishardtofind.Thefiberhenequen,whichcomesfromanotherspeciesofthesameplantgenus(Agavefourcroydes),wasonceacommoncordagefiber.Itisnotasstrongassisalandisalmostneverusedinmodernropemaking.(Athirdmemberofthegenus,Agavetequilanaorblueagave,isusedtomaketequilawhich,althoughitisnotcordage,canstillbeusedto“tieoneon.”)
CottonTheworld’smostpopularfiber,cottonissmoothandsoft.Cottonropeholdsknotswellandiseasytoworkwith,butitisratherlackingforseriousoutdoor
knotswellandiseasytoworkwith,butitisratherlackingforseriousoutdooruse(withtheexceptionofclothesline,forwhichitiscommon).Strengthanddurabilityareverypoor,stretchisveryhigh,anditrotsquickly.
NaturalFiberRopesCompared
Characteristic Strength
Manila Veryhigh
Hemp Veryhigh
Sisal High
Cotton Verylow
Jute Low
Coir Verylow
Characteristic Stretch
Manila Mediumtohigh
Hemp Mediumtohigh
Sisal Mediumtohigh
Cotton Veryhigh
Jute High
Coir Veryhigh
Characteristic Texture/feel
Manila Smooth
Hemp Smooth,hard
Sisal Soft,hairy
Cotton Verysoft
Jute Brittle
Coir Coarse
Characteristic Floats?
Manila No
Hemp No
Sisal No
Cotton No
Jute No
Coir Yes
Characteristic Durabilityandenvironmentalresistance
Manila Low
Hemp Low
Sisal Verylow
Cotton Low
Jute Low
Coir Low
Characteristic Price
Manila Mediumtohigh
Hemp High,notreadilyavailable
Sisal Low
Cotton Low
Jute Low
Coir Low,notreadilyavailable
JuteDerivedfromplantsofthegenusCorchorus,juteistheworld’ssecond-largestfibercrop(aftercotton).Itisveryinexpensiveandfairlystronganddurable,butitcanalsobebrittle,itlosesstrengthwhenwet,anditrotsreadily.Itsmost
commonuseascordageistwineforgardeningandpackagetying.Juteropeisrarelyputtoheavy-dutyuse,butitisuseddecoratively.Itis,accordingtooneS&Mwebsite,“thetraditionalchoiceinropeforbondage.”
CoirMadefromthefiberofcoconutshells,coirisoneofthefewnaturalfiberropesthatwillfloat.Itholdsknotswell,butthat’saboutthesumofitsbenefits.Coirhaspoordurabilityandveryhighstretch,andisquitecoarse.Itistheweakestofthenaturalropefibers,soropestendtobemadeinlargediameterstocompensate.CoirropeisrarelyfoundinWesternhardwarestoresorchandleries,butitisavailableforcraftpurposesandisstillwidelyusedintheproductionoffloormats.
Ropesmadefromplantfiberslikecoirhaveanatural,rusticappearance
SyntheticfiberRopeMostsyntheticfiberscanbeproducedinessentiallyendlesslengths.Simplybyeliminatingtheneedtooverlapshort,discontinuouslengthsoffiberwithinthetwistedyarns,syntheticfibersproduceropesthatarelighterandsmallerindiameterthannaturalfiberropesforagivenstrength.Andsincesyntheticfibersarethemselvesstrongerthannaturalfibers,evenlighterweightsandsmaller
arethemselvesstrongerthannaturalfibers,evenlighterweightsandsmallerdiameterscanbeachieved.Infact,syntheticropeisoftentwotofourtimesasstrongasnaturalfiberropeofequivalentdiameter,whileweighinghalfasmuch.
Somesyntheticropesfloatinwaterandothersdonot.Someshrinkwhenwet,butmostloselittlestrength,andallarehighlyresistanttorot.Oneofthefewcommondrawbacksofsyntheticsistheirslipperiness(especiallywhenwet),whichimpairstheirknot-holdingability.Somesyntheticshaveanaturalappearanceandcolor(white,tan,orblack),butmanyarebrightlycolored,whichcanbeanaidtovisibilityandidentification.
Brightcolorscanmakesyntheticropeseasytoidentify
NylonNylon(oraliphaticpolyamide)wasthefirstsyntheticropefiber,anditisstilloneofthebestandmostpopularfordemandingapplications.Itisverystronganddurable,anditholdsknotswell,butitdoesnotfloatinwateranditlosesasignificantamountofstrengthwhenwet.Nylonisverystretchy,whichishelpfulwhenusedasanchorandmooringlinesandasdynamicclimbingrope,toabsorbshockloadsinthecaseofafall.
PolypropyleneAmongtheleastexpensiveandweakestofsyntheticcordagefibers,polypropylene(alsoknownaspolyproorsimply“poly”)isverylightinweight,floatinghigherinwaterthanpolyethylene.Itdoesnotshrinkwhenwet,butitislessdurablethanpolyethyleneanditdegradesquicklywithexposuretosunlight,makingitinappropriateforlong-termoutdoorstructuresortyingupboats.Itmeltsatsuchalowtemperaturethatitcanbedamagedjustsittinginaclosedcaronahotday.Thefibercomesinseveralforms,eachlendingdifferentcharacteristicstorope.Polypropylenemonofilamentsofferthebestwearresistance;multifilamentsaresofterandholdknotsbetter;staple-spunandfibrillatedfibersprovideasoft,hairyfeel;andsplit-filmfibersaretheleastexpensive.
PolyethylenePolyethyleneropefloatsandhasgoodabrasionresistance,makingitattractiveasatowlineforwaterskiing,wakeboarding,andsimilarsports.Itisslipperierthanpolypropylene,doesnotholdknotswell,andmeltsatafairlylowtemperature.
PolyesterOftensoldunderthetradenameDacron®,polyesterisalmostasstrongasnylonwhendry,andstrongerwhenwet.Ithasgooddurabilityandknot-holdingability.Polyesterropehasmoderatestretch,andsometypescanbepurchasedpre-stretchedforlowerelongationinuse.Itdoesnotfloat.
High-techFibersTwomoresyntheticropematerialsbearmention,ifonlytowarnagainstspendingalotofmoneyonhigh-techropewithlimitedpracticalapplicationsforoutdooractivities.Botharamid(Kevlar®isthebest-knownbrandname)andhigh-moduluspolyethylene(HMPEorHMP,bestknownasthebrandsSpectra®andDyneema®)fibersareextremelystrong—somethreetimesstrongerthannylon—andbothexhibitminimalstretch,butneithercanbereadilyknottedwithoutgreatlyreducingtheirstrength,sosplicesandspecialterminationfittingsarecommonlyused.Absentsomeverycompellingreason(HMPEisusedincombinationwithotherfibersinsomespecializedstaticclimbingropes),theseexoticandexpensivefibersarebestlefttohigh-endsailboatracers.
SyntheticFiberRopesCompared
Characteristic Strength
Nylon Veryhigh
Polypropylene Medium
Polyethylene Low
Polyester High
Aramid,HMPE Highest
Characteristic Stretch
Nylon Mediumtohigh
Polypropylene Medium
Polyethylene Veryhigh
Polyester Verylow
Aramid,HMPE Verylow
Characteristic Knot-holdingability
Nylon Mediumtohigh
Polypropylene Mediumtohigh
Polyethylene Low
Polyester High
Aramid,HMPE Verylow
Characteristic Texture/feel
Nylon Soft,smooth
Polypropylene Slippery,stiff,texturevaries
Polyethylene Slippery,stiff
Polyester Smooth,notveryslippery
Aramid,HMPE Stiff
Characteristic Floats?
Nylon No
Polypropylene Yes
Polyethylene Yes
Polyester No
Aramid,HMPE Aramid:no;HMPE:yes
Characteristic Durabilityandenvironmentalresistance
Nylon High
Polypropylene Lowtomedium
Polyethylene Mediumtohigh
Polyester High
Aramid,HMPE Medium
Characteristic Price
Nylon High
Polypropylene Low
Polyethylene Low
Polyester Medium
Aramid,HMPE Highest
CaringforRopeEveryotherknotbookadmonishesthereadertotakegreatcareofrope,tokeepitclean,protectitfrombadinfluences,andsingittosleepatnight.Thisattitudeassumesthatallropeisexpensiveandwillbeusedinsafety-criticalwayswhen,infact,muchoftheropeinoutdoorusehaslessloftypurposes.Riggingatarp,hangingclothestodry,securinggearinacanoe,andlashinguptheframeofanemergencyshelterdonotrequireexpensive,orevenparticularlystrong,cordage.Someofthecordageyoubringintothebackcountrycanbeconsiderednotmerelyexpendablebutdownrightconsumable,requiringnospecialcareorprotection.
Thatsaid,ropethatisintendedfordemandinguses—climbing,sailing,andrescuecomequicklytomind—isexpensiveanddoesneedtobecaredforinordertomaintainpropersafetymarginsandprotectyourinvestment.Sothefollowingadvicedoesapply,butsomeofitonlytothegoodstuff.
•Keepropeclean.Keepitoutofthedirt.Grainsofdirtandsandwilldamagefibersintheropeandweakenit.Washdirtyrope.
•Don’tsteponrope.Ittendstogrinddirtintothefibers.
•Keepropeawayfromsolvents,petroleumproducts,andotherchemicals.
•Whip,tape,orsealropeendstopreventfraying.Takethesestepsbeforeorimmediatelyaftercuttingalengthofrope,andbeforeputtingitintouse.
•Preventchafingbyavoidingsharporroughsurfacesorbyusingchafinggear.
•Coilropeneatlyandsecurelybeforestoringortransportingit.
•Storeropeawayfromdirectsunlightandexcessiveheat.Drywetropebeforeplacingitinstorage.
WashingRopeRopethat’sgoodenoughtokeepshouldbewashedwhenitgetsdirty.Ropethatisusedinsaltwatershouldbesoakedinfreshwateratleastannuallytoremovesalts,evenifitappearsclean.
Tohand-washrope,soakitforabout30minutesinwaterwithliquiddishsoap,thenuseascrubbrushtoremovesurfacedirt.Soakagainandrinsetoremovethesoap,thenhangittodry.
Ropecanbemachine-washed,butdoitseparately,notinthesameloadwithyourbestcocktaildress.Useonlyasmallamountofmilddetergentandasmalldoseoffabricsoftener.Setthemachinetopre-soakfor30minutes,ordothepre-soakinabucketbeforeplacingtheropeinthemachine.Top-loadingwashingmachinesareyourbestbet.Somesmallerropeswillbeokayinafront-loadingwashingmachine,butlargeheavyoneswilldropandpoundalarminglyinfront-loaders.
Eitherwayyouwashtherope,don’tdryitinaclothesdryer.Hangitingarlandsfromalineandallowittoairdrycompletelybeforecoilingitforstorage.
CuttingRopeNaturalfiberropesmustbecutwithaknife,whilemostsyntheticscanalsobemeltedintwowithaheatedblade.Almostanyfoldingorfixed-bladeknifewilldo,aslongasithasaverysharpplain-edgedblade.Serratedbladescutmorequicklyandaregoodforemergencyandrescuesituations,buttheyleaveragged,frayedends.
Manystoresthatsellropebythefootorthemeteroffofreelshaveelectrichot-knives(alsoknownasguillotines)tocutsyntheticrope,andsomeallowtheircustomerstousethem.(Donotuseanelectrichot-knifefornaturalfiberrope.)Touseone,turnitonandwaitaminuteorsoforittoreachoperatingtemperature.Presstheropegentlyandsquarelyagainstthebladeandtheheatwillimmediatelybeginmeltingthefibers.Pressslowlysothatthefibersaremeltedtogetheronbothsidesofthecut.Thiseffectivelypreventstheropefromfraying.Don’ttouchthemeltedendsforseveralseconds,astheywillbehot.Remembertoturnthedeviceoffwhenyou’redone.
Electrichot-knivesarenotpracticalforoutdooruse,butyoucanachievethesameresultsbyheatingaknifebladeuntilveryhotovertheflameofagascampingstoveandthenimmediatelyapplyingittotherope.Thisisbestdonewithacheapknifewithalongblade,heatingitmainlynearthetipoftheblade.Theheatcouldpossiblydamagethetemperoftheblade,soyoudon’twanttouseagoodknife,anditcoulddamagethehandletoo,soyoudon’twanttouseaknifewithashortblade,likemostpocketknives.
PreventingFrayingNevercutaropewithoutfirstsecuringbothsidesofthecuttopreventunraveling.Thisapplieseventocheap,consumablerope,becauseafrayedendquicklyreducesanyrope’susablelengthandmakesitdifficultorimpossibletoworkwith.
Shortofabacksplice,whichwedon’tcover,whippingistheonlygood,nearlypermanentmethodtopreventnaturalfiberropeunraveling,andaveryattractiveoptionforsyntheticsaswell.Forwhippinginstructions,seePart9.
Whenusingacigarettelighteroramatchtomeltarope’send,bewareofdrippingmoltenplasticontobareskinorclothing
Meltingarope’sendisnotpretty,butit’saneffectivewaytopreventfraying
Electricaltapeisaneffective,ifnotquitepermanent,methodtopreventfraying
Wraptapearoundtheropeandcutrightthroughittosecurebothnewendsagainstfraying
Meltingisanoptiononlyforsyntheticrope.Iftheropeisnotmelt-cutwithaheatedblade,asdescribedabove,thefibersofacutropemaybemeltedwithacigarettelighterorotherflame(seeabove).Somesyntheticropeswillburnandmelt,whileothersjustmelt.Iftheropecatchesfire,blowitoutbeforeapplyingtheflameagain.Bewareofdrippingthemoltenplasticontoyourskinorclothing.
Ameltedendwillneverunravel(althoughtheheatofmeltingmakesthefibersoncheappolypropyleneropesobrittlethattheendmaybreakoffaftershortusage).Onthedownside,ameltedendisugly,anditoftenhassharppointsthatinconvenientlycatchontherope’sfiberswhentyingknotsorcoiling.Thosepointscanalsooccasionallycauseskincuts.
Plasticelectricaltapeisnotaspermanentanend-sealerasawhipping,butitworksprettywellandiseasilyreplaced.Wrapittwoorthreetimesaroundtheropeandcutdirectlythroughit,sothatbothendsaresecuredinasingleoperation(seeabove).Forlarge-diameterrope,coveralongersurfaceoftheropeandmakeadditionalwraps.
Dippingarope’sendincarpenter’sgluewillpreventfraying
Maskingtapemaybeusedasatemporarymeasureonly:forexample,whencuttinglengthsatthestore,orwhencuttingjustpriortowhippingtheends.
Twineorothersmallstuffcanalsobeusedasastrictlytemporarymeasuretopreventfraying.TieConstrictorKnotsaroundtheropeoneachsideofwhereyouwillcut.Youcan’treadilytieaknotwitharopewhoseendsaresecuredinthismanner,butitsufficestokeeptheendsunfrayedwhileawhippingisapplied.
Ropeendscanalsobesealedwithheat-shrinktubingsimilartothatusedfor
Ropeendscanalsobesealedwithheat-shrinktubingsimilartothatusedforelectricalconnections.Thereareliquid“whipping”solutionsintowhichonedipsaropeend.Aftertheydry,thesearequitepermanent,buttheydonotworkwithalltypesofrope.Dippedfinishescanalsobeappliedwithpolyvinylacetate(PVA,soldas“whiteglue”andyellowcarpenter’sglue)andlatex-basedglues(seeabove).
Astopperknottiedintheendofaropewillalsopreventfraying.Thisisoftentheonlypracticalapproachforjutetwineorothernaturalcordagethat’stoosmalltowhiportape.It’snotaviablepermanentsolutionforgoodrope,butithasitsplaceasanexpedient.
PreventingChafeIfaropewillmoverelativetoahardroughsurface—inotherwords,ifitwillrub—itmustbeprotectedfromabrasionorchafe.Climbershabituallyplacechafinggearontopropeswheretheypassoversharprockedges.Ifspecialtygearisnotavailable,apatchofcarpetingorathickpieceofclothwillsuffice,butitmustbesecuredwelltopreventshiftingandloss.
Wherethesame,relativelyshortsectionofaropewillbesubjectedtoabrasionrepeatedly(asonadedicateddocklineforaboatinitsregularberth),thenitisoftenpracticaltoprotectonlythatsectionwithapieceofplastictubingorhose(seeright).Thiscanbeheldinplaceattractivelywithheavywhippingsonbothends,orwithducttapeifappearanceisnotapriority.Iftheropecan’tbepushedthroughatight-fittingpieceoftubing,thenthetubingcanbesplitlengthwiseandsewnrightontotheropewithaheavy-dutysailmaker’sneedleandpalm.Athirdoption,usuallyemployedwhentheropewillremainstationaryandsomethingelsewillrubagainstit(usuallyanotherrope),isservice:atightwrappingofheavywhippingthreadaroundthesectionofropeinquestion.
Ifdifferentropeswillbeusedregularlyagainstaroughedgethatwouldcauserapidabrasion(asinacanallockoragasdock,wheredifferentboatsarealwaystyingup),thentheedgeitselfmaybeprotectedwithapatchofleather,asheetofplastic,orasmoothlycurvedpieceofsheetmetalfastenedpermanentlyinplace(seebelow).
Plastichosemaybeappliedtoasectionofropethatwillbefrequentlysubjecttoabrasion
Alternately,ahardedgecanbeprotectedwithasheetofplastic,metal,orleathertopreventchafe
CoilingforStorageToavoidtangles,ropemustbesecuredincoilsforstorageandtransportation.Coiledropesareeasiertocarryandmuchfastertoaccessandusethantangledones.
Laidropecoilswellinonlyonedirection,andifcoiledwrongproducestwistsandkinks.Thevastmajorityoflaidropehasaright-handtwist,knownasZ-laid.Todeterminethelayofarope,holdasectionvertically:ifthestrandstwistupwardfromlefttoright,itisZ-laid;iftheytwistupwardfromrighttoleft,itistheopposite:aleft-handtwist,knownasS-laid.
CoilZ-laidropeclockwiseandS-laidropecounterclockwise.Witheachlengthofropethatyougatherintoaloop,giveitafull360-degreetwistawayfromyouarounditsownaxisbeforeaddingittothecoil.
Mostbraidedropecoilsequallywellineitherdirection,butshouldalwaysbecoiledinthesamedirection,asthefibersmaytakea“set”afterlengthystorageandresistbeingcoiledtheotherway.Somebraidedropes,however,havelaidcoresthatwanttocoilinonlyonedirection(usuallyclockwise),andothersnaturallytaketobeingcoiledinfigure8s.
Climbingropeshavepermanentlyattachedendlabelsthatshowtheirlength,andthisisagreatideaforallstoredrope.Addlabelsortagsthatindicatelength,alongwithanyothercharacteristicsnotimmediatelyapparent(e.g.,fibertype,workingload,previoususe),toyourstoredropessothatyoucanreliablyselecttherightoneforthejobwithouthavingtouncoilandmeasureit.
Inadditiontothecoilingmethodsonthefollowingpages,onemoresimplemethodofsecuringacoilbearsmention:stoppingit.Tostopacoil,useshortlengthsoftwineorothersmallstuff;maketworoundturnsaroundthecoilnearoneoftherope’sends(oraroundbothendsiftheyoverlapneareachotheronthecircumferenceofthecoil).TiethesmallstuffwithaSlippedSquareKnot,ConstrictorKnot,orPacker’sKnot.Tiesimilarknotsataminimumoftwo(preferablythree)otherpointsequallyspacedonthecircumferenceofthecoil.
AlpineCoilAlsoknownas:Mountaineer’sCoil,Climber’sCoil,LapCoil,StandingCoilThismethodofcoilingisquickandeasy,anditworksforshortaswellaslonglengthsofrope.Ifmadelargeenough,thefinishedcoilcanbecarriedslungdiagonallyacrossthechestandcanbeuncoiledwiththestandingpartstillattachedtoone’sclimbingharness.Butbecauseitsecuresthecoilsatonlyonepointonthecircumference,itissomewhatpronetotangles.
Instructions
1.Coiltherope,leavingacoupleoffeet(60cm)looseatbothends(lessforasmallcoil).Foralonglengthofrope,eachcoilcanbethelengthofbotharmsstretchedout.Formabightinthestandingend.
2.Bringtheworkingendtotheinsideofthecoil.
3.Wraptheworkingendaroundthecoils,capturingbothpartsofthebightagainstthecoilswithaSingleHitch.
4.Makeatleastthreeroundturnsaroundthebightandthecoils,thenpasstheworkingendthroughthebight.
5.Readytotighten.
6.Pullthefreeendofthebightsothatthebightcapturestheworkingend.
7.ThecompletedAlpineCoil.
Uses:storingandtransportinglongorshortlengthsofrope
Pros:quickandeasytomakeandrelease
Cons:tanglesmorereadilythanWrappedandReef-knottedandButterflyCoils
Untying:Pullthebightbackthroughtheroundturnstoloosentheworkingend.
Fireman’sCoil
Thisisoneofthequickestandeasiestcoilstomake.It’snotsowellsuitedfortransportingrope,butitsbuilt-inhangingloopmakesitidealforstoringit.However,itmaynotholdinslipperysyntheticstuff.
Instructions
1.Coiltherope,leaving2–3ft.(70–100cm)looseattheworkingend.Formanoverhandcrossingturnintheworkingpartwhereitleavesthelastcoil,andmakeabightclosertotheworkingend.
2.Passthebightthroughthecoilsothatitisontheoppositesidefromthecrossingturn.
3.Passthebightthroughthecrossingturnfrombacktofront.
4.Pullthebightsothatthecrossingturnclosestightlyaroundit.
5.Thefinishedcoil.
Uses:storinglongorshortlengthsofrope
Pros:quickandeasy,hashangingloop,releasesinstantly
Cons:tanglesmorereadilythanWrappedandReef-knottedandButterflyCoils;notassecureasAlpineCoil
Untying:Pulltheworkingendsothatthehangingloopcomesthroughthecrossingturn.
WrappedandReef-knottedCoilAlsoknownas:WrappedCoil,WrappedSquare-knottedCoil
UnliketheAlpineandFireman’sCoils,whichsecurethecoilsatonlyonepointontheircircumference,thismethodsecuresthecoilsallthewayaround.Thisistime-consumingtodo,anditmakestheropelessavailableforreadyuse.Butitisaneffectivemethodofpreventingtanglesinropethatwillbestoredforlongperiodsortransportedwithothergearinacartrunkorboatlocker.
Instructions
1.Coiltherope,leavingabout3ft.(100cm)looseatbothends.
2.TieaHalfKnotwiththetwoends.
3.TieanotherHalfKnotintheoppositedirection,completingaSquareKnot.
4.Beginwrappingoneendinspiralsaroundthecoils,makingeachwrap2–3in.(5–8cm)fromthepreviousone.ContinuewrappinguntilitisoppositefromtheSquareKnot.
5.Beginwrappingtheotherendinidenticalspiralsaroundtheothersideofthecoil.Thesewrapsshouldnotbeamirrorimageofthefirstset.Theyshouldcontinuethespiraldirectionofthefirstsetofwraps.
6.ContinuethesecondwrapuntilitisoppositetheSquareKnot.
7.TieaHalfKnotwiththeends.
8.TieasecondHalfKnotintheoppositedirection,tocompleteasecondSquareKnot.
9.Thecompletedcoil.
Uses:storingandtransportinglonglengthsofrope
Pros:verysecure;effectivelypreventstangles
Cons:time-consumingtomakeandunmake
Untying:UntiethesecondSquareKnot,unwrapthespiralwraps,thenuntiethefirstSquareKnot.
ButterflyCoilAlsoknownas:BackpackCoil,Backpacker’sCoil
Aclimbingropeof200ft.(60m)ormoremakesabulky,heavyloadtocarry,andatime-consumingmessiftangledduringtransportation.TheweightoftheButterflyCoiliscarriedonbothshoulderslikeabackpack,andthecoilissecuredaroundthewaist,whichpreventsitfromswingingandcatchingwhileclimbing.ButunliketheAlpineCoil,itmustberemovedandundonebeforeitcanbeattachedtoaclimbingharness.
Instructions
1.Workingoncleanground,doubletheropebybringingbothendstogetherandpullingbothpartsequallythroughonehand.Theropeshouldbelaidoutbeforeyouwithnotanglesorkinks.
2.Pullabout20ft.(6m)ofropeintotheends,thenplacebothpartsoveryourshouldersandbehindyourneck.(Theendsareoutofframetotheleftsideofthephotograph,i.e.,totheclimber’sright.)Forbrevity,we’llcallthelong,doubledropeonthesideoppositetheendsthe“standingpart.”
3.Pullanarm’slengthofthestandingpart,formingthefirst“butterflywing”(ontherightsideofthephotograph).Bringyourarmallthewaydowntodrawthegreatestlengthpossibleintothiswing.
4.Pullanotherarm’slengthofthestandingpartwiththeotherarmandplaceitbehindyourneck.
5.Bringthatarmdownalltheway,formingthesecondbutterflywing(ontheleftsideofthephotograph).
6.Switchingtotheotherarmagain,pullanotherarm’slengthofthestandingpartbehindyourneckandbringitdowntoyourside.
7.Continuepullingloopsintothedoubledropeandplacingthemoveryourneckonalternatingsidesuntilallofthestandingpartisoveryourshoulders.
8.Removethecoilfromyourneck,supportingitsfoldedshapeoverthearmoppositefromtheworkingends.
9.Wraptheworkingendsaroundthefoldedcoiljustbelowthesupportingarm,leavingenoughroomtoremoveyourhand.
10.Continuewrappingtheworkingendsdownwardoverthecoiluntilabout10ft.(3m)ofbothendsremain.
11.Makeabightintheworkingendsabout1ft(30cm)fromthelastwrap.
12.Passthebighttothehandthatsupportsthecoil,thenpullthathandthroughthetopofthecoil,pullingthebightthroughaswell.
13.Pulltheworkingendsallthewaythroughthebight,sothattheysupportthecoil.
14.Holdingoneworkingendineachhand,hoistthecoilhighontoyourback.
15.Bringtheworkingendsdownoveryourshoulderslikebackpackshoulderstraps.Takebothhandsbehindyourbackandswitchtheendsoftheropebetweenyourhands.Bringyourarmsouttothesidesothatthecrossedendssecurethecoilagainstyourback.
16.BringyourarmstothefrontandtietheropeendstogetheraroundyourwaistwithaSquareKnotoraDoubleSlippedSquareKnotasshown(seeSlippedSquareKnot).
Uses:carryingclimbingrope
Pros:secure,comfortable
Cons:interfereswithcarryingarealbackpack;mustbeundonetoattachropetoclimbingharness
Untying:UntietheSquareKnotthatsecuresthecoilaroundyourwaist.Unwraptheendsfromyourwaist,removefromoveryourshoulders,extracttheendsfromthebight,unwraptheroundturns,andunfoldthecoilssotheylayfull-lengthontheground.
PartTwo
FoundationKnots
Mostknots,bends,andhitchesincorporatesimplerstructureswhicharethemselvesknots.Theknotsinthissectionarealleasytolearnandtie.Someofthemareusefulintheirownright,whileallofthemareimportantascomponentsofmorecomplexknotsorforunderstandingbasicproceduresorprinciplesthatcomeintoplaywhentyingthem.
1.OverhandKnot
Uses:stopper,binding,handgrips,topreventfrayingPros:quick,easy;formsthebasisofmanyotherknotsCons:difficulttountie;notsecure
2.SlippedOverhandKnot
Uses:stopper,simplenoose
Pros:quickandeasytotieandrelease;largerthanOverhandKnotCons:lesssecurethanastandardOverhandKnot
3.DoubleOverhandKnot
Uses:stopper,binding,handholds
Pros:quickandeasytotie;moresecurethanOverhandKnotCons:hardtountie
4.OverhandLoop
Uses:fixedloopanywhereonarope;attachment,tie-off,orpurchasepointPros:quickandeasytotieevenifneitherendisfreeCons:difficulttountie
5.SingleHitch
Uses:hitchtomaintainlight,instantlyreleasedtension;holdanendinplacetemporarilyPros:tiesandreleasesinstantly
Cons:extremelyinsecure
6.HalfKnot
Uses:light-dutyortemporarybindingofbundlesorpackagesPros:quickandeasytotie;easilyuntied
Cons:insecure
7.HalfHitch
Uses:maintainlighttensiononanobjectthatmustbeeasilyreleasedPros:quickandeasytotieanduntie
Cons:insecure;slipseasily
8.SlippedHalfHitch
Uses:maintainlighttensiononanobjectthatmustbeeasilyreleasedPros:easytotie,quickertoreleasethanHalfHitchCons:insecure;slipseasily
1.OverhandKnotAlsoknownas:SimpleKnot,ThumbKnot
TheOverhandKnotisthemostbasic“trueknot,”inwhichtheropeistiedtoitself.Inspiteofitssimplicity,itisusefulinitsownrightandofparamountimportanceasthefoundationofmanyotherknots.Andinspiteofitsname,itcanbetiedeitheroverhandorunderhand.
Uses:stopper,binding,creatingaseriesofhandholdsalongalengthofline;preventingfrayingattheendofalinePros:quickandeasytotie;formsthebasisofmanyotherknotsCons:difficulttountieiftightenedhard;canslip;notsecureasabinding
Instructions
1.Makeanoverhandcrossingturn.
2.Passtheworkingendunderthestandingpart.
3.Pulltheworkingendthroughthecrossingturn.
4.Pullbothendstotighten.
Untying:Grabthestandingpartwhereitcrossestheworkingpart,andtheworkingpartwhereitcrossesthestandingpart,andpullinoppositedirections.Ifitistiedverytightintwistedline,itcanbehelpfultotwisttheworkingendwiththelayoftheropeandpushitunderthecrossing.Inextremecases,afidmightbeneededtoloosentheknot.
2.SlippedOverhandKnotAlsoknownas:SlipKnot,RunningKnot,OverhandKnotwithDrawloopManyknotscanbetied“slipped,”orwithadrawloop,inwhichtheworkingendisformedintoabightbeforeitiscapturedbyanotherpartoftheknot.Neverusethebightintheworkingendofaslippedknotasalooptobearaload:itwillnothold.ButiftheworkingendoftheSlippedOverhandKnotisleftextralong,itcanbeturnedaroundsothattheworkingendservesasthestandingpart,andthedrawloopcanthenfunctionasasimplenoose.
Uses:stopper,simplenoose
Pros:quickandeasytotieandrelease;bulkierthanastandardOverhandKnotCons:lesssecurethanastandardOverhandKnot;notaseffectiveassomeotherstopperknots
Instructions
1.Makeanoverhandcrossingturn.
2.Formabightintheworkingend.
3.Passthebightunderthestandingpartandpartwaythroughthecrossingturn.
4.Theknotbeforetightening.
5.Totighten,pullthestandingpartwithonehand,andthebightwiththeotherhand.Becarefulnottodrawtheworkingendthroughthecrossingturnwhentighteningoryou’llbeleftwithastandardOverhandKnot.
Untying:Grabtheworkingendandpull.Itmaygetharderwhentheendofthebightreachesthecrossingturn,butmoreeffortwillusuallysucceedinpullingitthrough,unlesstheropeissostiffthatitwon’ttakeatightradius.
3.DoubleOverhandKnotAlsoknownas:DoubledThumborSimpleKnot
“Doubling”(takingpartoftheropeandpassingitthroughacrossingturnorotherelementtwice)isanotherbasicprocedureusedinmanyknots.Doublingcreatesmorebulkandincreasesfriction,whichequatestoholdingpower.WhiletheDoubleOverhandKnotislargeroverallthanastandardOverhandKnot,itsdiameteristhesamesoitwon’tpreventtheropefromrunningthroughalargerhole.
Uses:stopper,binding,handholdsalongaline
Pros:quickandeasytotie;lesslikelytoslipthanastandardOverhandKnotCons:hardtountieiftightenedhard
Instructions
1.MakeanOverhandKnot
2.Passtheworkingendthroughthecrossingturnasecondtime.
3.The“doubled”aspectofthisknotisclearbeforeyoutightenit.
4.Asyoupullbothends,theknotchangesform.
5.Worktheknotintoshapebypushingitupfromthestandingparttowardtheworkingend.
6.Thefinished,fairedknot.
Untying:Useyourthumbstopryapartthetwoadjacentcrossingturnsoneithersideoftheknot,thenpulltheworkingendthroughthecrossingturninthestandingpart
4.OverhandLoopAlsoknownas:LoopKnot
TheOverhandLoopissimplyanOverhandKnottiedinabight.Amongthesimplestofloops,itisfixed(i.e.,non-adjustable)and,ifplacedundermuchstrain,itbecomessotightthatitshouldbeconsidereduntieable.
Uses:formingafixedloopanywherealongthelengthofaropeorattheend;usefulasahandhold,anattachmentpointforhardware,aloopfromwhichtohangobjects,andapurchasethroughwhichaworkingendcanbepassedinordertopullthestandingparttightPros:quickandeasytotieevenifneitherendisfreeCons:verydifficulttountieiftightenedhard
Instructions
1.Formabightneartheworkingendoranywherealongtherope.
2.Makeacrossingturnwiththebightacrossboththestandingpartandtheworkingend.
3.Passthebightthroughthecrossingturn.
4.Holdingthestandingpartandworkingendtogetherinonehand,pullthebighttotighten.
Untying:Grabeitherstrandofthebightjustbeforeitpassesunderthestandingparts,andeitherstrandofthestandingpartwhereitpassesoverthebight,andpullinoppositedirections.Generally,however,youshouldconsiderthisknottobepermanentandbepreparedtocutit.
5.SingleHitchAlsoknownas:HalfKnot
Almosttoorudimentarytobeconsideredaknot,theSingleHitchisjustacrossingturnaroundanobject.Itwillholdgivenperfectconditionsoffriction,angle,andload,buteventhenwithonlyminimalsecurity.Oflimitedusebyitself,itservesasanelementofmanyotherknots.
Uses:asahitchtomaintainlighttensiononanobjectthatmustbeinstantlyreleasable;asanelementofotherknots,toholdoneendinplacependingasubsequentprocedurePros:quickandeasy;canbereleasedinstantly
Cons:extremelyinsecure
Instructions
1.There’sscarcelyanythingtoaSingleHitch.Takeacrossingturnaroundanobjectandcapturetheworkingendagainstitwiththestandingpart,orviceversa.
Untying:Releasetensionandthestructuresimplyfallsapart.
6.HalfKnotAlsoknownas:OverhandKnot
Eveniftheydon’tknowitbyname,everyoneknowstheHalfKnotasthefirststepintyingashoelace.Itisthesimplestofbindingknotsandformsthefoundationformanyimportantandmoresecurebindingsandbends.Whentiedinasinglepieceofcordage,it’sjustanOverhandKnottiedaroundanobject.Butitmayalsobetiedintheworkingendsoftwodifferentcords.
Uses:light-dutyortemporarybindingofbundlesorpackagesPros:quickandeasytotie;easilyuntied
Cons:insecure
Instructions
1.Crossoneendovertheother.
2.Takeeitherendandtuckitundertheoppositeone.
3.Pullbothworkingendstotighten.
4.TheHalfKnotmaybetiedwiththeendsoftworopes.
Untying:Pullthestandingpartsinoppositedirections.
7.HalfHitchAlsoknownas:SingleHitch
TheHalfHitchismuchliketheOverhandKnotorHalfKnot,buttheworkingenddoublesbackonitselftoformacrossingturnaroundthestandingpart.Anessentialcomponentofinnumerableotherknots,itisoflimitedusefulnessbyitselfbecauseitisnotsecure.
Uses:topullormaintainlighttensiononanobjectthatmustbeeasilyreleasedPros:quickandeasytotie;moresecurethanaSingleHitchCons:insecure;slipseasily;holdsonlywithlightconstanttensionatcertainangles
Instructions
1.Takeaturnaroundanobjectandcrosstheworkingendoverthestandingpart.
2.Passtheworkingendthroughthecrossingturnfrombacktofront.
3.Whilemaintainingtensiononthestandingpart,pulltheworkingendtightsothatitformsanoverhandcrossingturnaroundthestandingpartandliesperpendiculartoit.
4.ThefinishedHalfHitch.
Untying:Pullalittleslackintothestandingpart,thenpulltheworkingendthroughthecrossingturnthatsurroundstheobject.
8.SlippedHalfHitchAlsoknownas:HalfHitchwithaDrawloop
TieaSlippedOverhandKnotaroundanobjectandyou’vegotaSlippedHalfHitch.IthasthesamebenefitsanddisadvantagesasaregularHalfHitchbutthedrawloopmakesiteveneasiertountie.
Uses:tomaintainlighttensiononanobjectthatmustbeeasilyreleasedPros:quickandeasytotie;moreeasilyreleasedthanaregularHalfHitchCons:insecure;slipseasily;holdsonlywithlightconstanttension
Instructions
1.Makeacrossingturnaroundanobjectandformtheworkingendintoabight.
2.Pullthebightpartwaythroughthecrossingturn.
3.Pullthebightandthestandingparttotighten,beingcarefulnottopulltheworkingendthroughthecrossingturn.
Untying:Justpulltheworkingendandtheknotwillfallopen.
PartThree
StopperKnots
Stopperknotsare“trueknots”—structurestiedwithintheropeitselfandnottoanythingelse.Mostoftentiedattheendofarope,stopperknotsgettheirnamefromtheircommonfunctionofstoppingaropefromrunningoutthroughasmallopeningthroughwhichtheypass,suchasapulleyblock,afairleadonaboat,oragrommetonatarp.Othercommonusesaretoform“knobs”ontheropethatcanbeeasilyheldorpulled,ortoaddweighttotheendsothatitcanbethrown.
9.,10.Figure8Knot(andalternatemethod)
Uses:stopperforsailboatsheets,fenderpennants,tarpguylines;handhold
Pros:quickandeasytotieanduntie;reductionofropestrengthissmall
Cons:willnotstopaholelargerthanOverhandKnot
11.SlippedFigure8Knot
Uses:stopperthatcanbequicklyuntiedtopullthroughanopening
Pros:quickandeasytotie;nearlyinstantaneoustountie
Cons:willnotstopalargerholethanOverhandKnot
12.StopperKnot
Uses:stopper,handhold,heavingline
Pros:large,comfortable,attractive;easytotie
Cons:onlygoodformediumdiameterrope;smallerandlighterthanaHeavingLineKnot;cancreatekinks
13.SinkStopperKnot
Uses:stopper,especiallyinthinnerrope
Pros:stopslargerholesthanmanyotherstopperknots
Cons:verydifficulttountie
14.StevedoreKnot
Uses:stopper
Pros:large;easytountie
Cons:smallerthanaSinkStopper
15.HeavingLineKnot
Uses:addweighttotheendofaheavingline
Pros:adjustableforsizeandweight;workswithanysizecordage
Cons:time-consuming
16.Monkey’sFist
Uses:addweighttotheendofaheavingline;decorativepulls
Pros:easilythrown;weightadjustablewithdifferentcores
Cons:complicatedandtime-consuming
9.Figure8KnotAlsoknownas:Figureof8Knot,FlemishKnot
Oneofthemostcommonandmostusefulstopperknots,theFigure8issimpletotieandremember.Itisfrequentlyusedtopreventlinesfromrunningthroughsmallopenings,andthoughitisnotmuchbiggerthananOverhandKnot,itiseasilyuntied.Itisthebasisforawholefamilyofrelatedknots.
Uses:stopper,sailboatmainandjibsheets,fenderpennants,tarpguylines
Pros:quickandeasytotieanduntie;providesagoodsizehandholdatarope’send
Cons:willnotstopaholelargerthananOverhandKnot
Instructions
1.Makeanoverhandcrossingturn,thenpasstheworkingendbackunderthestandingpart.
2.Bringtheworkingendforwardandovertheupperstrandofthecrossingturn.
3.Passtheworkingendthroughthecrossingturn.
4.Pullbothendstotighten.
Untying:Grabthetopsofthetwocrossingturns.Pulltheworkingendthroughtheturnonthestandingend.
10.Figure8Knot—AlternateMethodAlsoknownas:Figureof8Knot,FlemishKnot
ThisissimplyadifferentwaytomanipulatetheropewhentyingtheFigure8Knot(opposite).Thefinishedknotsareidentical.Youmayormaynotfinditeasiertouse,butit’sincludedtoillustratehowdifferentknottingprocedurescanachievethesameends.
Uses:stopper,sailboatmainandjibsheets,fenderpennants,tarpguylines
Pros:quickandeasytotieanduntie;providesagoodsizehandholdatarope’send
Cons:willnotstopaholelargerthananOverhandKnot
Instructions
1.Makeabightneartheworkingendoftherope.Grabtheendofthebightandbegintotwistitaroundthestandingpart.
2.Continuetwistingsothattheworkingendcrossesoverthestandingpart.
3.Continuetwisting.Asecondcrossingturnwillbegintoform.
4.Aftertwistingthebightafull360degrees,theworkingendcrossesunderandoverthestandingpart.
5.Passtheworkingendthroughthefirstcrossingturn(i.e.,thebight)frombacktofront.Pullbothendstotighten.
Untying:Grabthetopsofthetwocrossingturns.Pulltheworkingendthroughtheturnonthestandingend.
11.SlippedFigure8KnotAlsoknownas:Figureof8KnotorFlemishKnotwithaDrawloop
AseasyasitmaybetountieaFigure8Knot,placingadrawloopintheworkingendto“slip”itmakesiteasierandquickerstill.
Uses:stopperthatcanbequicklyuntiedtopullthroughanopening
Pros:quickandeasytotie;nearlyinstantaneoustountie
Cons:willnotstopaholelargerthananOverhandKnot
Instructions
1.Makeanoverhandcrossingturn,passtheworkingendbackunderthestandingpart,andformabightintheworkingend.
2.Bringthebightforwardandpartwaythroughthecrossingturnfromfronttoback.
3.Pullthebightandthestandingpart,beingcarefulnottopulltheworkingendthroughthefirstcrossingturn.
4.Continuepullingthebightandthestandingparttotighten.
Untying:Pulltheworkingendtobringthebightthroughthecrossingturn.
12.StopperKnot
ThisspecificstopperknotisnamedtheStopperKnot.ItwillstopaholebiggerthananOverhandorFigure8Knot,makesanattractiveandcomfortable“handle”attheendofarope,andaddsenoughweightsothattheendoftheropecanbethrown.
Uses:stopper,handhold,heavingline
Pros:large,comfortable,attractive;easytotie
Cons:onlyworkswellinropeofmediumdiameters;moretime-consumingthanotherstopperknots;cannotbemadeaslargeorheavyastheHeavingLineKnot;kinkscanmakeitawkwardtountie
Instructions
1.Formabightaroundoneortwofingers,leavingalongworkingend.
2.Bringtheworkingendoverthestandingpart,formingacrossingturnaroundyourfingers.
3.Continuewrappingtheworkingendaroundyourfingers,workingtowardthestandingpart.Makeatleastfiveroundturns.
4.Slipthecoilontothefingersofyouroppositehand,beingcarefulthatitdoesn’tfallapart.Takeafinalturnwiththeworkingendaroundthestandingpart,thenpassitupthroughthecoilalongyourrestrainingfingers.
5.Pulltheworkingendthrough.
6.Pullbothends.Theroundturnswillneedtobeworkedintoshapeforafairedknot.
Untying:Bendtheknotbackandforthtoseparatetheturns.Bendthefirst(crossing)turndownfarenoughtopulltheworkingendthrough.Bendeachroundturndowninturnandpulltheworkingendthroughuntilyoucanpullitoutofthebottomoftheknot.
13.SinkStopperKnot
ThisstopperknotislargerthanOverhandorFigure8Knotsandwillstoparopethroughasignificantlylargerhole,butit’sshorterandlessobtrusivethantheStopperKnot.
Uses:stopper,especiallyinthinnerrope
Pros:stopsholeslargerthanmanyotherstopperknots
Cons:verydifficulttountieiftightenedhard
Instructions
1.Makeacounterclockwiseoverhandcrossingturn.Formabightinthestandingpart.
2.Passthebightintothetopofthecrossingturn.
3.PullthebightthroughtoformaSlippedOverhandKnot.
4.Passtheworkingendacrossthefrontofthestandingpartandthroughthebackofthedrawloop.
5.Pullbothendstotighten.
6.Pushtheknotupfromthestandingparttofairit.
7.Thefinishedknot.
Untying:TheSinkStopperisdifficulttountieandmayhavetobecut.Sometimes,though,itcanbeuntiedbycreatinglittlebitsofslackinsmallstages.Pullalternatelyon:i)theoppositesidesofthecrossingturn;ii)onesideofthecrossingturnandtheworkingendjustbeforeitpassesthroughthebight;andiii)theothersideofthecrossingturnandtheworkingendbeforeitpassesthroughthebight.Eventually,youmaygainenoughslacktoreleasetheworkingendfromthebight.
14.StevedoreKnotAlsoknownas:Stevedore’sKnot
Beforecargowasshippedincontainers,stevedoresunloadedshipswithablockandtackle.Iftheendofaropeslippedthroughapulleyblock,precioustimewaslostandcargocouldcomecrashingdown—hencetheneedforaneffectivestopperknot.TheStevedoreKnotwillstopaholelargerthanaFigure8KnotbutnotaslargeasaSinkStopperKnot.
Uses:stopper
Pros:large;easytountie
Cons:smallerthanaSinkStopper
Instructions
1.Makeaclockwiseoverhandcrossingturnandpasstheworkingendbackunderthestandingpart,likethefirststepsinaFigure8Knot.
2.Wraptheworkingendinaroundturnaroundthestandingpart.
3.Bringtheworkingendforwardandpassitthroughthetopofthecrossingturn.
4.Pullbothendstobegintightening.
5.Pushtheknotupfromthestandingparttofairit.
6.Thefinishedknot.
Untying:Grabthecrossingturninonehandandthetworoundturnsintheother.Pullthestandingpartthroughtheroundturnstofreetheworkingend.
15.HeavingLineKnotAlsoknownas:FranciscanKnot
Withnumerousroundturns,theHeavingLineKnotisreminiscentoftheStopperKnot.Bothcanaddweighttotheendofaropesothatitcanbethrown,butthemethodsoftyingaredifferent,andtheHeavingLineKnotcanbemademuchlargerbyaddingroundturns.Itcanbemadewideraswell,byaddingtwoorfouradditional,slightlyshorterbightsbeforebeginningtheroundturns.
Uses:heavingline
Pros:adjustableforlengthandthickness;workswithanyweightcordage
Cons:time-consuming
Instructions
1.Makeaclockwiseoverhandcrossingturnandpasstheworkingendbackunderbothstrandsoftheturn.
2.Beginwrappingtheworkingenduptowardthebightthatisformed.
3.Makeasmanyroundturnsaroundthebightastheworkingendallowswhileleavingafewinchestoworkwith.
4.Passtheworkingendthroughthebight.
5.Holdingtheworkingendagainstthelastroundturn,beginpullingthestandingpartthroughthecoil.
6.Keeppullinguntilthebighttightensovertheworkingend,lockingitinplace.
7.Thefinishedknot.
Untying:Flextheknotfromsidetoside,thenpullthebightuntilitreleasestheworkingend.
16.Monkey’sFist
Thispractical,nearlysphericalheavinglineknotissoattractivethatsomefolksmaketinydecorativeversionsaskeyfobsorzipperpulls.It’sdesignedtoholdaweightinitscoresothatitcanbethrownfarther,butitusesenoughropesothatitworksprettywellevenwithlightweightcoreslikeaballofaluminumfoil.Formoreweight,usearoundstone,awoodensphere,orasteelball,butbecarefulnottohittherecipientwithsuchaheavyknot.
Uses:heavingline;decorativeknobsandpulls
Pros:easilythrown;weightadjustablewithdifferentcores
Cons:complicatedandtime-consumingtotieanduntie
Instructions
1.Leavingalongworkingend,makethreeroundturnsaroundyournon-dominanthand,workingfromthewristtowardthefingertips.
2.Passtheworkingendaroundthebackoftheroundturns.
3.Makethreeroundturnsatrightanglestothefirstsetofroundturns,workingfrombottomtotop.
4.Passtheworkingendthroughthefirstsetofroundturnsfromfronttoback.
5.Theworkingendwillnowencirclethestrandsononesideofthefirstsetofroundturns,abovethesecondsetofroundturns.Don’tpullittight!Theroundturnsmustremainparalleltooneanother.
6.Workinginsidethefirstsetofroundturns,passtheworkingendunderthesecondsetofroundturnsfrombacktofront,andthenbringitoverthesecondsetofroundturnsfromfronttoback.
7.Makethreeroundturnsaroundthesecondsetofroundturnsandinsidethefirstsetofroundturns,keepingeverythingfairlyloose.
8.Placeasphereintothehollowcenteroftheknot.
9.Tuckthebitterendunderthefirstsetofroundturns.(Alternately,leavealongworkingendandseizeittothestandingpartwhentheknotiscomplete.SeeSeizing.
10.Keepingthebitterendinplace,tightentheknotbypullingouttheslackoneroundturnatatime,startingatthebitterendandworkingallthewaybacktothestandingpart.
11.ThefinishedMonkey’sFist.
Untying:Untyingistheoppositeoftying.Freetheworkingendandpullitallthewaythrougheachroundturn,oneturnatatime.
UsingaHeavingLineTothrowaheavyropeacrossawidegap,tiethemonkey’sfistinmedium-weightropetomakeasizeconvenientforthrowing,leavingarelativelyshortstandingpart.Tiethestandingparttoalightweight“messengerline”longerthanthegap,andtietheotherendofthemessengerlinetotheheavyrope.Thepersonontheotherendofthegapwhoreceivesyourtosswillusethemessengerlinetopulltheheavierlineacross.
PartFour
BindingKnots
Bindingknotsaretiedtightlyaroundanobjectorobjects,eithertosecuretheobjectitself(aswhentyingupapackageorbundle),ortoanchoroneendoftheropesolidlytoanobjectasafirststepinmakingasolidconnectionwithanotherobject—forexample,whenlashingtwopolestogethertobuildashelter(seeLashings).
17.SquareKnot
Uses:packages,bundles,reefingsails,bendingropesend-to-end
Pros:simpletotieanduntie;fairlysecure
Cons:canslip;worksasabendonlywithropesofequaldiameter;difficulttountieunderload;difficulttomaketightasabinding
18.SlippedSquareKnot
Uses:packagesandbundlesthatmustbeuntiedeasily;bootlaces
Pros:easytotie;secureunderload;untieseasily
Cons:notverysecureifnotunderload
19.GrannyKnot
Uses:objectlessoninimproperknotting
Pros:none
Cons:unstable;slipseasily
20.ThiefKnot
Uses:bindingpackagesorsacks
Pros:fairlysecure;signalspilferage
Cons:can’tbetiedtightly
21.Surgeon’sKnot
Uses:packages,bundles,surgicalligatures
Pros:secure,resistsslipping,easiertotietightunderloadthanaSquareKnot
Cons:requiresmoreforcethanaSquareKnottotighten;moredifficulttountie
22.Surgeon’sKnotwithSecondTuck
Uses:packages,bundles,slipperyitems
Pros:moresecurethanaregularSurgeon’sKnot,goodforslipperyrope
Cons:moredifficulttountiethanaregularSurgeon’sKnot
23.StrangleKnot
Uses:temporaryropewhipping,bagclosure,general-purposehitch
Pros:fairlysecure;easytotie
Cons:lesssecurethanConstrictorKnot;difficulttountie
24.Miller’sKnot
Uses:bagclosure
Pros:secure;easytotiewithoneorbothhands
Cons:notassecureasaConstrictorKnot;canbedifficulttountie
25.Packer’sKnot
Uses:packages,bundles
Pros:adjustablefortightness;worksinthinormediumcordage
Cons:morecomplexthanaSquareorSurgeon’sKnot
17.SquareKnotAlsoknownas:ReefKnot,HerculesKnot
ComposedofoneHalfKnotontopofanother,theSquareKnotissupremelyusefulbothasabindingknot(whentyingtheropetoitselfaroundanotherobject),andasabend(totietheendsoftworopestogether).Agoodmnemonicfortyingitcorrectlyis“rightoverleft;leftoverright.”Itcanbereadilyreversed,tyingit“leftoverright;rightoverleft.”
Uses:packages,bundles,reefingsails;bendingropesend-to-end
Pros:simpletotieanduntie;fairlysecure
Cons:canslip;worksasabendonlywithropesofequaldiameter;difficulttountieifunderload;difficulttotightenasabinding
Instructions
1.MakeaHalfKnotwiththerightworkingendoverthenundertheleftworkingend.
2.Bendbothworkingendsbacktowardtheirownstandingparts.Taketheworkingendthatisnowontheleftandpassitovertheonethatisnowontheright.
3.Passthefirstworkingendthroughthebightthathasformedintheotherrope,frombacktofront.You’vejustmadeasecondHalfKnotintheoppositedirection.Pullbothworkingendstight.
4.Pullbothstandingpartstight.
Untying:Pulltheworking-endsidesofthebightsinoppositedirections.
18.SlippedSquareKnotAlsoknownas:ReefKnotorHerculesKnotwithaDrawloop
AsingledrawloopmakesthissimplevariationoftheSquareKnot(opposite)easytountie,evenundertension.Youprobablyknowanothervariation,calledaDoubleSlippedSquareKnot,inwhichdrawloopsareaddedtobothends:it’showyoutieyourshoes.
Uses:packagesandbundlesthatmustbetiedsecurelyanduntiedeasily;bootlaces(whentiedwithtwodrawloops)
Pros:easytotieandremember;secureunderload,untieseasily
Cons:notverysecureifnotunderload
Instructions(NBR1=Rope1,R2=Rope2)
1.MakeaHalfKnot,placingtheworkingendoftheropetotheright(henceforth,R1)over,thenunder,theworkingendoftheropetotheleft(henceforth,R2),asifyouareabouttotieaSquareKnot(opposite).
2.MakeabightintheworkingendofR2.CrosstheworkingendofR1overtheworkingendofthebight.
3.MakeabightintheworkingendofR1.ReachthroughthefrontofthebightinR2tograbit.
4.Pullthenewbightthroughthefirstbightfrombacktofront.
5.Tightenbypullingthesecondbightinonehandandtheoppositeworkingendintheother.
Untying:Pulltheworkingendtodrawthebightthroughtheloopofthestandingpart.
19.GrannyKnotAlsoknownas:Lubber’sKnot,FalseKnot,CalfKnot,BoobyKnot
AGrannyKnotisanincorrectlytiedSquareKnot.Whileitwillholdinsomenoncriticalapplications,thereisneveragoodreasontouseit,asittakesexactlyaslongtotie,andusesexactlythesameamountofrope,asaSquareKnot,whileofferingnoadvantageswhatsoever.It’sincludedheresimplytoshowhownottotieaSquareKnot.
Uses:none
Pros:none
Cons:unstable;slipseasily
Instructions
1.Passtherightworkingendoverthenundertheleftworkingend,makingaHalfKnot.
2.Insteadof“rightoverleft;leftoverright,”asyouwouldforaSquareKnot,passthenewrightworkingendoverthenewleftworkingend.(Rightoverleft;rightoverleft.)
3.Pulleachworkingendthroughthebightmadebytheotherend.Holdtheworkingandstandingpartsofoneropetogetherineachhand,andpulltotighten.
4.Therightworkingendpassesfirstover,thenunderthebightoftheleftworkingend,andviceversa.InaSquareKnot,incomparison,oneendcrossesthebightabove-and-above,whiletheothercrossesbelow-and-below.
5.Pulledtight,theGrannyKnotcollapses.Pulledeventighter,itwillprobablyslip.
Untying:Pulltheworkingendsthroughthebights.
20.ThiefKnotAlsoknownas:BagKnot,BreadBagKnot
TheThiefKnotisdesignedtoresembletheSquareKnot.TheideaisthatathiefwhostealssomethingfromasackofprovisionswillretieaproperSquareKnottocoverhistracks,buttheownerwillnoticethedifference.(Ofcourse,themissingprovisionswillalsotipofftheowner,butthat’sfolkwisdomforyou.)
Uses:bindingpackagesorsackswhilesupposedlysignalingpilferage
Pros:fairlysecure
Cons:can’tbetiedtightly
Instructions
1.Imaginethatwehavemadeatightroundturnaroundtheneckofasackoutoftheframeatthetopofthephoto.Makeabightintheleftendoftherope.Passtheotherendthroughthebightfrombacktofront.
2.Passtheworkingendaroundthebight,goingfirstovertheworkingendofthebight,nextaroundthebackofthebight,thenforward.
3.Passtheworkingendthroughthebightfromfronttoback.Pullbothworkingends,thenthestandingpartstight.
4.ThefinishedknothassomeoftheSquareKnot’ssymmetry,inthatbothstrandsoftherightendoftheropepassunderthebightoftheleftend,andbothstrandsoftheleftendoftheropepassoverthebightoftherightend.ButwherebothworkingendsareonthesamesideofaSquareKnot,theworkingendsareonoppositesidesoftheThiefKnot—asubtledifference.
Untying:Pulltheworking-endsidesofthebightsinoppositedirections.
21.Surgeon’sKnotAlsoknownas:LigatureKnot
AnothervariationoftheSquareKnot,thisoneholdsbetterandiseasiertotietightlyasabindingknot.Thesecondtuckprovidesextrafriction,holdingthestructuretightuntiltheknotisfinished.Surgeonsusedthisknottotieoffslipperybloodvessels.
Uses:packages,bundles,surgicalligatures
Pros:secure;resistsslipping;easiertotietightunderloadthanaSquareKnot
Cons:requiresmoremusclethanaSquareKnottotighten;moredifficulttountie
Instructions
1.StartasifyouaretyingaSquareKnotaroundanobject,buttucktherightworkingendoverandundertheleftworkingendasecondtimebeforepullingtight.
2.Bringtheworkingendthatisnowontheleftandpassitoverandundertheotherworkingend,likefinishingaSquareKnot.Pulltight.
3.ThefinishedSurgeon’sKnotlookslikewhatitis:aSquareKnotwithanextratuck.
Untying:Freebothworkingendsbysimultaneouslypullingthemthroughthebights.
22.Surgeon’sKnotwithSecondTuckAlsoknownas:DoubledSurgeon’sKnot
ThisvariationoftheSurgeon’sKnotaddsasecondtucktothetopHalfKnotforextrasecurity.
Uses:packages,bundles,slipperyitems
Pros:moresecurethanaregularSurgeon’sKnot;helpfulwhenusingslipperyrope
Cons:moredifficulttountiethanaregularSurgeon’sKnot
Instructions
1.StartbytyingaSurgeon’sKnot(opposite),butdon’tpullittightyet.
2.Takeoneoftheworkingendsandtuckitthroughthebightintheotherendasecondtime.
3.Pullbothworkingendstotighten.
Untying:Freebothworkingendsbysimultaneouslypullingthemthroughthebights.Itmaybehelpfultofirstuntucktheworkingendsfromtheirsecondtucks.
23.StrangleKnotAlsoknownas:DoubleOverhandKnot
TheStrangleKnotisoftentiedwithsmall-diameterstuffaroundalarge-diameterropethatisabouttobecut,toholdthestrandsinplaceuntilpermanentwhippingcanbeapplied.ItcanalsoserveasabagclosureandasamoresecurealternativetoaCloveHitch.Forevengreatertenacity,however,useaConstrictorKnot.
Uses:temporaryropewhipping,bagclosure,general-purposehitch
Pros:fairlysecure;easytotie
Cons:lesssecurethanConstrictorKnot;difficulttountie
Instructions
1.TieaDoubleOverhandKnotaroundtheobjectbeing“strangled.”Oryoumaytietheknotinhand,makingthecrossingturnlargeenoughtothenslipoveroneendoftheobjectwhenit’sready.
2.Pullbothendstight.
3.ThefinishedStrangleKnot.
Untying:Thisknotcanbeverydifficulttountie.Ifafidisnotavailabletoworktheknotloose,cuttingmaybetheonlyoption.
24.Miller’sKnotAlsoknownas:SackKnot,BagKnot
Thisisagoodknottoclosethetopofasack.Ittightensdownwellandholdssecurelyagainstahigh-frictionsurfacelikeacanvasorburlapbag.Itmaybetiedwithadrawlooptomakeiteasiertountie.
Uses:bagclosure
Pros:secure;easytotiewithoneorbothhands
Cons:notassecureasaConstrictorKnot,butcanbedifficulttountienonetheless
Instructions
1.MakeaSingleHitcharoundtheneckofthebag,holdingthestandingpartdownwiththelongerworkingend.
2.Bringtheworkingendaroundthebagtomakearoundturnoverthestandingpart.
3.PasstheworkingendovertheroundturnandthroughtheSingleHitch.
4.Pullbothendstotighten.
5.Toformadrawloopthatwillmaketheknoteasiertountie:atstep3maketheworkingendintoabightbeforepassingitovertheroundturnandthroughtheSingleHitch.
Untying:Prytheturnsawayfromeachother(i.e.,towardthetopandbottomofthebag)untilthereissufficientslacktoreleasetheworkingend.
25.Packer’sKnot
Whenbutchersusedtowrapordersinpaper,theywouldtiethisknotinstringtosecurethepackages.ThestandingpartcanbesnuggedupastightasyouwishthroughtheFigure8Knotintheworkingend.
Uses:packages,bundles
Pros:adjustablefortightness;workswellinthinormediumcordage
Cons:morecomplexthanaSquareorSurgeon’sKnot
Instructions
1.Bringtheropeorstringaroundthepackageandcrosstheendsasshown.Wewillrefertotheendontherightsideofthephotographastheworkingend.
2.Withtheworkingend,makeanunderhandcrossingturncounterclockwisearoundthestandingpart.Notehowthestandingpartpassesthroughthecrossingturnfromfronttoback.
3.Bringtheworkingendtothefront,andpassitthroughthecrossingturnfromfronttoback,overthestandingpart.YouaretyinganOverhandKnotaroundthestandingpart.
4.PulltheOverhandKnottight.
5.PullthestandingpartthroughtheOverhandKnottotightentheropearoundthepackage.
6.Passtheworkingendbehindthestandingpart.
7.PasstheworkingendunderitselftocompleteaHalfHitcharoundthestandingpart.PulltheHalfHitchtight.
8.ThefinishedPacker’sKnot.
Untying:UntiethefinalOverhandKnot,thenpulltheworkingendthroughtheFigure8Knot.
PartFive
LoopKnots
Loopknotsareeasyenoughtounderstand,butdifficulttodefineprecisely.Likehitches,theyaretiedtofitaroundobjects(orpeople),buttheyarenotintendedtobindobjectstogether(that’sthejobofbindingknots).Loopknotsmaybetiedattheendofaropeoranywherealongitslength(onabight).Theymaybeofafixedsizeortheymaybeadjustable.Unlikeahitch,whichistiedonanobjectanddependsuponthatobjectforitsstructure,loopknotsmaybetiedintheropeitselfandthenplacedontheobjectwhenfinished.Loopknotsareusefulforliftingandpullingobjectsand,intheformofasafetyharnessorbosun’schair,toliftorsecurepeopleaswell.(Observeallsafetyrecommendationsinthisbookwhenusingropeforthesepurposes.)Apairofinterconnectedloopknotscanalsobeusedinplaceofabendtomakeastronganddurableconnectionbetweentheendsoftworopes.
26.DoubleOverhandLoop
Uses:lifting,hauling,hanginggearfromdoubledline
Pros:easytotie;workswellwithsmallstuff
Cons:difficulttountie;onlyappropriateonabight
27.Figure8Loop
Uses:lifting,pulling,hangingloopforgear;tie-inpointforclimbers
Pros:easytotieinropeofanythickness;fairlyeasytountie;verystrong
Cons:notaseasytountieasaBowline
28.ThreadedFigure8Loop
Uses:lifting,pulling,hangingloopforgear;belayingclimbers
Pros:verystrongandsecure
Cons:fussytotie
29.DirectionalFigure8Loop
Uses:climbing,lifting,loadbearing
Pros:easilytied;verystrong
Cons:willslipifloadedinwrongdirection;dangeroustocarelessusers;hardtountie
30.Fisherman’sLoop
Uses:general-purposetie-offorhangingpoint;fishingtackle
Pros:easytotie;relativelysecure
Cons:hardtomakewithasmallloop;difficulttountieinsmallstuff;mayslip
31.DoubleOverhandSlidingLoop
Uses:fishing,general-purposenoose
Pros:easytotie;workswellwithsmallstuff;tightenseasily
Cons:difficulttountie
32.Angler’sLoop
Uses:fishingleaders,tippetsandhooks,loopsinbungeecord
Pros:holdswellinanymaterial
Cons:verydifficulttountie;hardtofairandtighteninheavyrope
33.Bowline
Uses:lifting,connectingropeends,sail-to-sheetconnections,docklines
Pros:secureunderload;easytotieanduntie
Cons:cancapsizeifnotloaded;notthemostsecureformofbowline
34.BowlinewithStopper
Uses:lifting,personalsafety,connectingropeends;sail-to-sheetconnections,docklines
Pros:moresecurethanstandardBowline;controlsexcessivelylongworkingend
Cons:moretime-consumingthanstandardBowline
35.One-HandedBowline
Uses:generallifting,personalsafety,connectingendsoftworopes,sail-to-sheetconnections,docklines
Pros:secure;easytotie,easytountie
Cons:cancapsizeandslip;notthemostsecureformofbowline
36.DutchBowline
Uses:liftinglarge,heavyloads
Pros:workingendisonoutsideofloop,unlikestandardBowline
Cons:lesssecurethanstandardBowline
37.BowlinewithTwoTurns
Uses:generallifting,climbing,personalsafety
Pros:verysecure,easytountie
Cons:bulkierthanstandardBowline;requiresmorerope
38.WaterBowline
Uses:generalliftingandpulling,safety;docklines,especiallyinwet,slipperyrope
Pros:extremelysecure
Cons:usesmorerope,trickiertotiethanregularBowline
39.PortugueseBowline
Uses:liftinglarge,heavyloads
Pros:secure,adjustablesizeloops,untiesreadily
Cons:loopscanshift
40.EskimoBowline
Uses:lifting,pulling,safety;maybeusedasahitch
Pros:verysecure,especiallyinslipperyrope
Cons:trickytotieandfair
41.BowlineonaBight
Uses:lifting,hauling,safety,climbing
Pros:verysecureandstrong,easytountie,canuseoneorbothloops
Cons:insecureifbothstandingpartsarenotloaded
42.SpanishBowline
Uses:liftinglargeheavyloads,bosun’schair,orrescueharness
Pros:loopswillnotshiftunderload
Cons:difficulttotiewithloopsofunequalsize
43.AlpineButterfly
Uses:mid-ropetie-offpoint,purchasefortighteningaline
Pros:easyandquicktotie;suitableforloadsineitherdirection
Cons:onlyusefulonabight;awkwardtotielargeloops
26.DoubleOverhandLoopAlsoknownas:OverhandLoop,LoopKnot,DoubleOverhandKnotonaBight
AseasytotieasaDoubleOverhandKnot,towhichitisverycloselyrelated,theDoubleOverhandLoopsharestheliabilityofmostoverhandknotsinbeingdifficulttountie.Itisoneoftheeasiestwaystoformalooponabight,andfairlyattractivewithal.
Uses:lifting,hauling,andhanginggearfromdoubledline
Pros:easytotie;workswellinsmallstuff
Cons:difficulttountie;onlyappropriateonabight
Instructions
1.MakeanOverhandKnotwithabight.
2.Bringthebightaroundthestandingparts.
3.PassthebightasecondtimethroughthecrossingturntocompletetheDoubleOverhandKnotonthebight.
4.Pulltheloopagainstthetwostandingpartstotighten.Fairtheknotbylayingthefourcrossingturnscloseagainsteachother.
Untying:Prythedoubledcrossingturnsapart,twoofthestrandstowardthestandingpartsandtheothertwotowardtheendoftheloop.Thendrawtheloopthroughthecloserpairofcrossingturns.
27.Figure8LoopAlsoknownas:Figure8onaBight,Double(orDoubled)Figure8Knot,FlemishLoop
ThisfixedloopistiedjustlikeaFigure8Knot,butonabight.Thebightmaybeplacedneartheworkingendoftheropeoranywherealongitslength.Tiedinthemiddle,itprovidesagoodtie-offpointatthebottomofaropethathasbeendoubledforstrength.Theknotreducesthestrengthoftheropelessthanmostotherloopknots.
Uses:lifting,pulling,hanginggear;belayingclimbers
Pros:veryeasytotieinstuffofanythickness;fairlyeasytountie;verystrong
Cons:notaseasytountieasaBowline
Instructions
1.Makeabightanywherealongtherope.Makeacounterclockwiseunderhandcrossingturninthebight.
2.Taketheendofthebightoverthedoubledrope.
3.Passthebightthroughthedoubledcrossingturnfrombacktofronttocompletethefigure8.
4.Fairtheknotsothedoubledstrandsareparallelallthewaythrough.
Untying:Pulltheloopbackthroughthefirstcrossingturntowardthestandingpart.
28.ThreadedFigure8Loop
ThisvariationontheFigure8Loopistiedwiththeworkingend,notonabight,soitcanbeusedtotieofftoclosedrings,ortomakealooparoundanobjectwhoseendisnotaccessible.Itcreatesafixedsingleloop.
Uses:lifting,pulling,hangingloopforgear;belayingclimbers
Pros:verystrongandsecure
Cons:fussytotie
Instructions
1.StartwithastandardFigure8Knot,leavingaworkingendsomewhatlongerthanthedesiredloop.Passtheworkingendthroughtheringoraroundthetie-offpointtoformtheloop.
2.Threadtheworkingendbackthroughtheuppercrossingturn,nexttoandparallelwiththeworkingendwhereitexitsthefigure8,butintheoppositedirection.
3.Passtheworkingendbehindthestandingpart,alwaysworkingparalleltothecourseofthefigure8.
4.Passtheworkingendthroughtheuppercrossingturnofthefigure8,threadingitbeneaththetwostrandsthatformtheloop.
5.Stillworkingparalleltotheoriginalfigure8,passtheworkingendaroundbothlegsoftheloop,thenbackdownthroughthe(nowdoubled)lowercrossingturn,parallelwiththestandingpart.
6.Totighten,holdtheworkingendtogetherwiththestandingpartandpullagainsttheloop.Thenreleasetheworkingendandpullthestandingpartagainsttheloop.
Untying:Pullslackfrombothlegsoftheloopthroughtheupperdoublecrossingturn.
29.DirectionalFigure8LoopAlsoknownas:Inline8
Tiedonabight,theDirectionalFigure8Loopismeanttobearweightinonedirectiononly.Inthisroleitexcelsandisfavoredbyclimbers.Bewareofapplyingweightintheotherdirection,however,fortheknotwillcapsizeandslide,functioningasanunintentionalnoose.
Uses:climbing,lifting,loadbearing
Pros:easilytied;verystrong
Cons:willslipifloadisappliedinthewrongdirection;dangeroustocarelessusers;difficulttountieiftightenedhard
Instructions
1.Theworkingendisatthebottomofthephotograph.Makeabightintheworkingendalittlelongerthanthedesiredloopandpassitunderthestandingpart,formingacounterclockwisecrossingturn.
2.Bringthebightforwardandacrossthestandingpart.
3.Passthebightthroughthecrossingturnfrombacktofront.
4.Pullthebightthroughthecrossingturn.
5.Pullbothsidesoftheloopevenlyagainstthestandingparttotighten.Iftiedwithalongworkingend,makesurethattheloopbearsweightonlyonthestandingpart.
Untying:Loadmustberemovedfromtheknotbeforeitcanbeuntied.Pulltheloopupthroughthecrossingturn.
30.Fisherman’sLoopAlsoknownas:Middleman’sKnot,Fisherman’sEye,Englishman’sLoop
Thisisanotherfixedloopthatcanbetiedeitherattheendoronabight.ComposedoftwoOverhandKnots,itissimpletotiebutalittletrickytogetthesizeoftheloopexactlyasdesired.
Uses:general-purposetie-offorhangingpoint;fishingtackle
Pros:easytotie;relativelysecure
Cons:hardtomakewithasmallloop;difficulttountieinsmallstuff;mayslip
Instructions
1.Makeacounterclockwiseoverhandcrossingturn.Formabightneartheworkingendandpassitthroughtheturnfrombacktofront.Inotherwords,makeaSlippedOverhandKnotanddrawittight.
2.Makeaclockwiseunderhandcrossingturnwiththeworkingendaroundthestandingpart.
3.PasstheworkingendthroughthecrossingturntoformanOverhandKnot.
4.Pulltheworking-endlegoftheloopagainstthestandingpartofthelinetodrawtheoverhandknotsagainsteachother.
5.Thefinishedknot.
Untying:SlidethetwoOverhandKnotsapart,untiethesecondone,andpullthedrawloopthrough.
31.DoubleOverhandSlidingLoop
Thisknotispopularamonganglerstoattachswivelsandhooks.Whentiedinmonofilamentline,itdrawsuptightwithlittleeffort.
Uses:fishing,general-purposenoose
Pros:easytotie;workswellwithsmallstuff;tightenseasily
Cons:difficulttountie
Instructions
1.Makeanoverhandcounterclockwisecrossingturn.
2.Bringtheworkingendaroundthebacktoformacrossingturnaroundthestandingpart.
3.Bringtheworkingendforwardtoformaroundturnaroundthebaseoftheloop.
4.Passtheworkingendbehindtheloopandbringitforwardagain.
5.Passtheworkingendthroughtheroundturnandthecrossingturn.
6.Pulltheworkingendagainsttheworking-endlegofthelooptosecuretheknot,asshown.Thenpullthestandingpartoftheropeagainsttheworking-endlegofthelooptotightenthenoose.
Untying:Don’tplanonuntyingthisknot.It’sbestusedformonofilamentorothersmallstuffthatyouplantocut.
32.Angler’sLoopAlsoknownas:PerfectionLoop
Tiedinanykindofsmallstuff,thisfixedloopwillnotslip.Itworkswellwithmonofilament,bungeecord,andregularcordage.Itisdifficulttotieinheavierropebutitholdswellinthattoo—sowell,infact,thatyoushouldconsideritfairlypermanent,nomatterthetypeorsizeofcordage.Usuallytiedontheworkingend,itcanalsobetiedonthebight.
Uses:fishingleaders,tippetsandhooks,bungeecord,bungeedtentflytie-downs
Pros:holdswellinanymaterial
Cons:verydifficulttountie;hardtofairandtighteninheavyrope
Instructions
1.Makeabightofthedesiredsize.(Thebightisnottheloop,buttheloopwillbethesamesize.)Bringtheworkingendforwardtocreateacrossingturnaroundthestandingpart.
2.Bringtheworkingendbehindthebight.
3.Bringtheworkingendacrossthefrontofthebightonemoretime,completingaroundturn.
4.Holdingtheworkingenddown,reachthroughthebightfrombacktofrontwiththeotherhand,grabthecrossingturn,andpullitacrosstheworkingend.
5.Continuepullingthecrossingturnthroughthebightfromfronttoback,pullingalloftheslackoutofthebightandformingtheloop.
6.Tightentheknotbyholdingthestandingpartinonehand,usingtheotherhandtopullthecrossingturnthroughthebightuntilthebightlocksdownontheloop.
7.WhentyingtheAngler’sLoopinbungeecord,theknotmustbefairedcarefullyasitistightenedoritmaycollapseunderload.
Untying:Gotaknife?
33.BowlineAlsoknownas:BowlineLoop,BowlineKnot
Thebowlineisoneofthemostusefulfixed-sizeloops.Itisstrong,easytotieintheendofarope,anditcanbereadilyuntiednomatterhowtightithasbeenpulled.Ithasmanyvariations,severalofwhichfollow.
Uses:generallifting,connectingendsoftworopes,sail-to-sheetconnections,docklines
Pros:secureunderload;easytotie,easytountie
Cons:cancapsizeifnotunderload;mayslip;notthemostsecureformofbowline
Instructions
1.Makeacounterclockwiseoverhandcrossingturn,leavingaworkingendlongenoughtoformtheloopandcompletetheknot.
2.Passtheworkingendthroughthecrossingturnfrombacktofront.
3.Passtheworkingendbehindthestandingend.
4.Bringtheworkingenddownthroughthecrossingturnfromfronttoback.
5.Totighten,pullthestandingpartagainstthelegoftheloopclosertotheworkingend.
Untying:Pulluponthebightthatgoesaroundthestandingparttofreetheworkingendfromthecrossingturn.
34.BowlinewithStopperAlsoknownas:BowlineLooporBowlineKnotwithEndSecured
AsgoodaknotastheBowlineis,itcanslipiftiedinslipperyrope.AnOverhandKnottiedintheworkingendaroundonestrandoftheloopwillhelppreventthis.Itisalsoagoodwaytomaketheknottidieriftheworkingendistoolong.
Uses:generallifting,personalsafety,connectingendsoftworopes,sail-to-sheetconnections,docklines
Pros:increasessecurityofBowline;controlsexcessivelylongworkingend
Cons:bulkierandmoretime-consumingthanstandardBowline
Instructions
1.TieastandardBowline(opposite),leavingalongerworkingendthanusual.Makeanunderhandcrossingturnaroundtheworking-endlegoftheloop.
2.Bringtheworkingendforward,andpassitthroughthecrossingturnfromfronttobacktoformanOverhandKnot.HoldthestandingpartoftheropeabovetheBowline,andpulltheOverhandKnotdownandtighten.
Untying:UntietheOverhandKnot,thenpullthebightupalongthestandingparttofreetheworkingendfromthecrossingturn.
35.One-handedBowlineAlsoknownas:BowlineLoop,BowlineKnot
ClimbersoccasionallyneedtotieaBowlinewithonehandbecausetheotherisoccupiedholdingontosomethingfordearlife.Thismethodrequiresgoodmanualdexterity,butitproducesastandardBowlinewithallitsvirtues.
Uses:generallifting,personalsafety,connectingendsoftworopes,sail-to-sheetconnections,docklines
Pros:secure;easytotie,easytountie
Cons:cancapsizeandslip;notthemostsecureformofbowline
Instructions
1.Formthebodyoftheloopintheworkingendoftherope,thenmakeabightattheveryend.(Thebightisoptional;itdoesn’tformapartoftheknot,butit’seasiertomanipulatetheworkingendthisway.)
2.Holdingthebightwithyourpalmdown,useyourthumbtoliftthestandingpartoftheloop.
3.Twistyourwristupsothatthestandingpartoftheloopformsacounterclockwiseoverhandcrossingturnoverthebightintheworkingend.Becarefulthatthecrossingturndoesnotformoveryourwrist,oryoucouldfindyourselfentrapped.
4.Undothebightandpasstheworkingendbehindthestandingpart.
5.Pulltheworkingendthroughthecrossingturnfromfronttoback.
6.Continuetopulltheworkingendthroughthecrossingturn.Dependinguponhowlargeyouwanttheloop,youmightholdbothstrandsofthenewbightthatyou’vecreatedaroundtherope’sstandingpartandpullthemtogetherthroughthecrossingturn.
7.ThefinishedBowline.
Untying:Pulluponthebightthatgoesaroundthestandingparttofreetheworkingendfromthecrossingturn.
36.DutchBowlineAlsoknownas:BackwardBowline
ThisslightvariationofthestandardBowlinepositionstheworkingendoutsidetheloop.ItissaidtobesomewhatlesssecurethanastandardBowline,butitdoesplacetheloopinmorecompletecontactwiththeobjectitsurrounds.Ifusedasasafetyline,it’smorecomfortablethisway,withtheworkingendawayfromthetorso.
Uses:liftinglarge,heavyloads
Pros:secure;untiesreadily
Cons:lesssecurethanstandardBowline
Instructions
1.BeginlikeastandardBowline.Leavingalongworkingend,makeasmalloverhandcounterclockwisecrossingturnandpasstheworkingendthroughthecrossingturnfrombacktofront.Astheworkingendpassesthroughthecrossingturn,passitperpendiculartothestandingpart.
2.Passtheworkingendbehindthestandingpartandbringitforward.
3.Bringtheworkingendbackthroughthecrossingturnfromfronttoback.
4.Tightenbypullingonthestandingpartandworkingend.
5.Thefinishedknot,withtheworkingendontheoutsideoftheloop.
Untying:UntielikeastandardBowline:liftthebightalongtheworkingpartuntiltheworkingendisfreeofthecrossingturn.
37.BowlinewithTwoTurnsAlsoknownas:DoubleBowline,RoundTurnBowline
Anotherbowlinevariation,thisoneisstronger,moreresistanttoslippage,andresistscapsizingbetter.Climbersrelyonitforsafety.Afteryou’velearnedthestandardBowline,thisone’ssimple:justreplacetheinitialcrossingturnwithtworoundturns.
Uses:generallifting,climbing,personalsafety
Pros:verysecure;easytountie
Cons:bulkierthanstandardBowline;requiresmorerope
Instructions
1.Maketwocounterclockwiseroundturnsinthestandingpart,leavingtheworkingendlongenoughtoformtheloopandcompletetheknot.
2.Passtheworkingendthroughtheroundturnsfrombacktofront.
3.Passtheworkingendbehindthestandingpartandbringitforward.
4.Passtheworkingendthroughtheroundturnsfromfronttoback.
5.Pulltheworkingendandthestandingparttotighten.Theknotmayneedtobefairedbypullingthestanding-partlegoftheloopagainstthestandingpartoftherope.
Untying:Grabtheupperroundturnandpullsomeslackfromthestanding-partlegoftheloop.Thenpullthebightupalongtherope’sstandingparttoreleasetheworkingend.
38.WaterBowline
Probablythemostsecurebowline,theWaterBowlineformstwoHalfHitchesaroundthebightintheworkingend.It’sespeciallyusefultomaintainsecurityinwet,slipperyline,yetitcanstillbeuntiedeasily.
Uses:generalliftingandpulling,safety,docklines,especiallyinwet,slipperyrope
Pros:extremelysecure
Cons:usesmorerope;trickiertotiethanregularBowline
Instructions
1.Maketwocounterclockwiseoverhandcrossingturnsinthestandingpart,leavingtheworkingendlongenoughtoformtheloopandcompletetheknot.
2.Shiftthelowercrossingturn(theoneclosertotheworkingend)undertheupperoneandholdthemtogether.
3.TherestoftheprocedureisthesameasastandardBowline.Passtheworkingendthroughthecrossingturnsfrombacktofront,thenbehindthestandingpart.
4.Passtheworkingendthroughthecrossingturnsfromfronttoback.HoldbothendsofthebighttogetherinonehandwhilepullingonthestandingpartoftheropetotightentheupperHalfHitch.Thenpullthestanding-partlegofthelooptotightenthelowerHalfHitch.
5.ThefinishedWaterBowline.Iftheworkingendistoolong,itmaybesecuredwithanOverhandKnotaroundtheloop,asintheBowlinewithStopperKnot.
Untying:LoosenthebottomHalfHitchtorelieveitsgripovertheworkingend,thenliftthebightupalongthestandingparttofreetheworkingend.
39.PortugueseBowlineAlsoknownas:FrenchBowline
Thisdouble-loopbowlineistiedattheworkingend,notonabight.Itcanbetiedwithbothloopsofequalsizeorinanyproportiondesiredforbalancedliftingofodd-sizedloads.Itcanbeusedasabosun’schairwithtwoequalloopsaroundthelegs.Thebosun’schairissometimesarrangedwithonelooparoundbothlegsandtheotheraroundthetorso,butthisisdangerousandsonotadvisable.
Uses:liftinglarge,heavyloads
Pros:secure;adjustablesizeloops;untiesreadily
Cons:loopscanshifttowardtheonebearingtheheavierload
Instructions
1.TheknotbeginsjustlikeastandardBowline,butwiththeworkingendlongenoughtoformtwoloops.Makeacounterclockwisecrossingturn.Passthelongworkingendthroughthecrossingturnfrombacktofrontandpullitthroughtoformthefirstloop.
2.Passtheworkingendthroughthecrossingturnasecondtime,againfrombacktofront.
3.Passtheworkingendbehindthestandingpartandbringitforward.
4.Theworkingendnowgoesbackdownthroughthecrossingturnfromfronttoback.
5.Adjustthesizeofthetwoloopsasneeded,thenpullthestandingpartagainsttheworkingendtotightenandknotandlocktheloops.
Untying:UntielikeastandardBowline:liftthebightalongtheworkingpartuntiltheworkingendisfreeofthecrossingturn.
40.EskimoBowlineAlsoknownas:BoasBowline
AlthoughsimilarinitsfinalformtoastandardBowline,thisknotistiedquitedifferently,soit’sbesttoapproachitassomethingnew.ItistrickiertotieandfairthanastandardBowline,butitissaidtobemoresecure.ItisreliablyreportedasbeingoftrueInuit(i.e.,Eskimo)origin,andwastiedinrawhideashitchestoassembledogsleds.
Uses:lifting,pulling,safety;maybeusedasahitch
Pros:verysecure,especiallyinsyntheticline
Cons:trickytotieandfair
Instructions
1.Leavingalongworkingend,makeacounterclockwiseoverhandcrossingturninthestandingpart.
2.Passtheworkingendthroughthecrossingturnfromfronttoback.
3.Taketheworkingendbehindthestandingpartthenbringitforward.
4.Passtheworkingendthroughthecrossingturnagain,thistimefrombacktofront.
5.Tightenbypullingsimultaneouslyonbothpartsofthebightintheworkingendandthestandingpartoftherope.
6.Thefinishedknot.Whenproperlyfaired,theworkingendformsaneatbightwithadjacent,parallellegs.
Untying:Aftertensionisreleasedontheknot,theworkingendmaybereadilypulledthroughthecrossingturn.
41.BowlineonaBight
Thediverseandimmenselyusefulbowlinefamilydeservesan“onthebight”version.ThisknothastheadvantagesofastandardBowlinewiththeadditionalbenefitofdoubledlineinboththestandingpartandintheloopforextrastrengthandreliability.Itcan’tpossiblyslip,andthetwofixed-sizeloopscanfitaroundyourthighsaspartofaharnessforclimbing,rescue,orraisingasailorupamast.
Uses:lifting,hauling,safety,climbing
Pros:verysecureandstrong,easytountie;loopsmaybeusedtogetherorseparately
Cons:reliesonbothstrandsofthestandingpartforsupport;don’thaulorsupportwithonlyonestrand
Instructions
1.MakeacounterclockwiseoverhandcrossingturninabightandthenbringthebightthroughthecrossingturnfrombacktofronttoformalooseOverhandLoop.UnlikeastandardBowline,itistheinitialcrossingturnthatwillbecomethefinalload-bearingloops,sosizeitaccordingly.(We’llcalltheinitialcrossingturnthe“loops”henceforth,becauseanothercrossingturnwillbeformedpresently.)
2.Bringthebightdowntowardthebottomoftheloops.
3.Openupthebightwideandpassitundertheloops.
4.Bringtheopenedbightupbehindtheloops.
5.Bringthebightcompletelyoverthetopoftheloopsandaroundthestandingparts.
6.Holdingbothloopshighneartherope’sstandingpartsinonehand,tightentheknotbypullingtheotherendofbothloops(nearthebight).Thiswillformanewcrossingturninthebightaroundthestandingparts.
7.Thefinishedknot.
Untying:Untyingthisknotissimplythereverseoftyingit.Raisethebightalongthestandingpartsandpullituntilit’slargeenoughtopasstowardthebackandbringitforwardoverthetwoloops.
42.SpanishBowlineAlsoknownas:FrenchBowline,DoubleForkedLoop,ChairKnot
Thisisanotherdouble-loopedbowlineonabight,offeringnearlydoublethestrengthofasingleBowlineplustheabilitytospreadaloadevenlyacrosstwoloops.Theloopswillnotshiftortightenunderload,andwithone’slegsplacedthroughtheloops,itmakesagoodbosun’schairorrescueharness,althoughyouhavetoholdontothestandingparts(ortieyourupperbodytothemwithanotherpieceofline)tokeepfromfallingoutbackward.
Uses:liftinglargeheavyloads,bosun’schair,orrescueharness
Pros:loopswillnotshiftunderload
Cons:difficulttotiewithloopsofunequalsize
Instructions
1.Middletherope,thenpullthebightbeneaththetwostandingparts,creatingtwoopposingcrossingturns.
2.Twistbothcrossingturnsinward180degreesaroundtheirstandingparts,toformelbowsinbothlegs.
3.Overlapthetwocrossingturnswiththerightoneovertheleft.Grabtherightlegoftheleftcrossingturnthroughtherightcrossingturnandpullitthrough.
4.Withtheoriginalleftcrossingturnpulledthroughtheoriginalrightone,thereisnowanewcrossingturnaroundthestandingparts.
5.Reachthroughthebacksoftheoriginaltwincrossingturns.Grabtherightlegofthethirdcrossingturnwiththerighthand;grabtheleftsideofthethirdcrossingturnwiththelefthand.
6.Pullbothsidesofthethirdcrossingturnthroughtheoriginaltwincrossingturnstoformtwoloops.
7.Pulltheloopstighttofinishtheknot.
Untying:Pullbothstandingpartsthroughthebightthatsurroundsthemontheirwayintotheknot.Oncethisisloose,pulleitherloopoutfrombeneaththestandingparts,thenpulltheotherloopthroughthefirstone.
43.AlpineButterflyAlsoknownas:AlpineButterflyLoop,Lineman’sLoop
Thisisaquick,easylooptotieonabight.It’susedbymountaineerstocreateatie-inpointforathirdclimberbetweentwoothersclimbers.Itserveswellasapurchaseforlashingboatsorcargotoacar’sroofrackandformakingalinetightbetweentwotrees,toserveasaclotheslineoratarpridgeline.
Uses:mid-ropetie-offpoint,purchasefortighteningaline
Pros:easyandquicktotie,suitableforloadsineitherdirection
Cons:onlyusefulonabight,awkwardtotieforlargeloops
Instructions
1.Maketworoundturnsaroundonehand.Withthetwoendsfacingoppositedirections,therewillbethree“strands”intotaloveryourhand.
2.Taketheleftstrandandpassitoverthemiddleone,sothatitbecomesthenewmiddlestrand.
3.Pullslackintothenewleftstrand(originallythemiddleone)largeenoughfortheloop.
4.Passthisnewleftstrandovertheothertwostrands.We’llcallthisstrandtheloophenceforth.
5.Pulltheloopbeneathandthroughtheothertwostrands.
6.Holdbothstandingpartsinonehandandpullthelooptight.
7.Thefinishedknotwillbearaloadfromeitherstandingpartandfromtheloopitself.
Untying:Theloopisheldbytwoopposingcrossingturns.Levertheonethat’sfartherfromthestandingpartsdowntowardtheloop,thenpulltheloopthrough.Thenpulltheloopthroughthesecondcrossingturn.
PartSix
Bends
Bendsareusedtotietheendsoftwo—oroccasionallythree—ropestogether.Inaccomplishingthis,abendisgenerallyaneasier,quicker,andlessbulkysolutionthantyingtwoloopknotsthroughoneanother.Somebendsworkbestwithropesofsimilardiameter,whileothersareoptimizedforropesofdifferentsizes,andsomeworkwellinflatmaterialssuchasleatherstrapsornylonwebbing.
44.WaterKnot
Uses:loadbearing;bendingflatmaterialsorrope
Pros:easytotie;secure;strapsremainflat
Cons:difficulttountieinrope
45.SheetBend
Uses:temporarylight-dutyapplicationswhereconstantloadwillbemaintained
Pros:simpletotieanduntieinropesofequalordifferentdiameter
Cons:insecurewhenunloaded
46.DoubleSheetBend
Uses:joininglinesofdissimilardiameters;connectingheavingandmessengerlines
Pros:lesspronetoslippagethanaSheetBend;easytotieanduntie
Cons:relativelyinsecurewhenunloaded;maycatchonobstructionsifitwillbedragged
47.TuckedSheetBend
Uses:joiningtwolinesthatwillbedraggedortowed;dinghypainters;towlines
Pros:reducedchanceofcatchingonobstruction,lessdragwhentowedinwater
Cons:somewhatinsecureifnotkeptunderload
48.Three-waySheetBend
Uses:two-to-oneorone-to-twotowing
Pros:aneasythree-waybend;easytountie;workswithdifferentsizeropes
Cons:insecure
49.FlemishBend
Uses:standingrigging,staticanddynamicloads
Pros:secure
Cons:difficulttountieinnaturalfiberrope;onlyforropesofequaldiameter
50.DoubleFigure8Bend
Uses:joiningropesforclimbing,mountaineering
Pros:verysecureandstrong,absorbsshock
Cons:noneknown
51.CarrickBend
Uses:joiningheavy,stiffropes
Pros:moresecurethanSheetBendorReefKnot,easytountie
Cons:reducesropestrengthconsiderably
52.ZeppelinBend
Uses:loadlifting,safety
Pros:strong;remainssecurewhenunloaded;easilyuntied
Cons:trickytotie;bulky;maycatchwhendragged
53.Hunter’sBend
Uses:loadbearing
Pros:remainssecurewithorwithoutload;holdsslipperyropewell
Cons:fussytotieinhand;hardtountie
54.Ashley’sBend
Uses:loadbearinginthinrope,bungeecord
Pros:verysecure
Cons:fussytotieinhand,difficulttocheck;hardtountie
55.Fisherman’sKnot
Uses:joiningsmallormediumcordage
Pros:easyandquicktotie
Cons:cancapsizeorslipundertension;difficulttountie
56.DoubleFisherman’sKnot
Uses:joiningcordageofanyweight,includingmonofilamentandanchorlines
Pros:easytotie,quitesecure
Cons:difficulttountie
57.BloodKnot
Uses:joiningendsofropeofanyweight,especiallymonofilament
Pros:verysecure,simpleinconcept
Cons:difficulttomanipulate,verydifficulttountie
44.WaterKnotAlsoknownas:DoubleOverhandBend,TapeKnot,TapeBend
Thisknotworkswellwithflatstufflikenylonwebbingandleatherstrapsaswellaswithconventionalrope.It’susedbyclimbers,butalsopracticalforextendingthelengthofcargotie-downstraps.
Uses:loadbearing;joiningendsofstraps,webbing,andropes
Pros:easytotie,secure;strapsremainflat
Cons:difficulttountieinrope
Instructions
1.TieanOverhandKnotneartheworkingendofonestraporrope.Workingfromtheoppositedirection,threadtheotherline’sworkingendthroughtheOverhandKnot,paralleltothefirstworkingend.
2.ContinuethreadingthesecondworkingendparalleltoandaroundthefirstOverhandKnotsothatitformsitsownOverhandKnot.
3.Pulltheworkingendstoremoveslack,thenpullthestandingpartstotighten.
4.Whentyinginstrapsorwebbing,keepthetwolinesflat,untwisted,andparalleltooneanotherallthewaythroughtheknot.
5.Tokeepflatmaterialsfrombunchingup,theknotmustbetightenedgraduallyandcontinuallyfaired.
Untying:Prythetwocrossingturnsawayfromeachother,thenpulltheworkingendsthroughthecrossingturns.
45.SheetBendAlsoknownas:BasketHitch,Weaver’sKnot
TheSheetBendissimpletotiebutratherinsecure,especiallyifaconstantloadisnotmaintained.Itformsthebasisforseveralknotsthataremoresecure,soit’sanimportantonetolearn.Oftenusedtojoinlinesofdifferentdiameters,itactuallyholdsbetterinlinesofequalsize.
Uses:temporarypullingorstaticapplicationswhereloadwillbemaintained
Pros:simpletotieanduntieinropesofequalordifferentdiameter
Cons:insecure
Instructions
1.Makeabightinonerope.Ifthetworopesareofdifferentdiameters,makethebightintheheavierone.Passtheworkingendoftheotherropethroughthebightfrombacktofront,thenaroundthebight,goingfirstovertheworkingendbeforecomingbacktothefrontoverthestandingpart.
2.Passtheworkingendofthesecondropeunderitself.Thesecondropewillformanunderhandcrossingturnoverthebightofthefirstrope.Makesurebothworkingendsexittheknotonthesameside.
3.Pullthetwostandingpartstotighten.
Untying:Pulltheworkingendoutfromthecrossingturn.
46.DoubleSheetBendAlsoknownas:DoubledBasketHitchorWeaver’sKnot
LesspronetoslippageandmoresecurethanthestandardSheetBend(opposite),thedoubledversionisespeciallyusefulwhereoneropeissignificantlyheavierthantheotherorsostiffthatitcannotbebentintoasmallradiusforothertypesofbends.
Uses:joininglinesofdissimilardiameters;connectingaheavingormessengerlinetoadocklineorsafetyrope
Pros:lesspronetoslippagethanaSheetBend,easytotieanduntie
Cons:Maybeinsecureifnotkeptunderload;maycatchonobstructionsifitwillbedragged
Instructions
1.TieastandardSheetBend,usingalongerworkingendwiththethinnerrope.Passtheworkingendaroundthebightinthebiggerrope,goingfirstaroundtheworkingendofthebight,thenarounditsstandingpartbeforebringingitforwardagain.
2.Passtheworkingendofthethinnerropebeneathitsownstandingpart,sothattherearetwocrossingturnsaroundthebight.
3.Pullthetwostandingpartstotighten.
Untying:Pulltheworkingendofthethinnerlinefromthesecondcrossingturn,thenpullitfromthefirst.
47.TuckedSheetBendAlsoknownas:One-waySheetBend
ThisversionoftheSheetBendusesaFigure8Knottoreversethedirectionoftheworkingendofthethinnerrope,sothatitfacesthesamewayastheworkingendofthelargerrope.Withbothworkingendsfacingawayfromthedirectionofmovement,theknotislesslikelytocatchonanobstructionifthelineisdraggedalongtheground,anditwillcreatelessdragiftowedthroughthewaterbehindaboat.
Uses:joiningtwolinesthatwillbedraggedortowed;dinghypaintersorothertowlines
Pros:moresecurethanstandardSheetBend;reducedchanceofcatchingonobstruction;lessdragwhentowedinwater
Cons:insecureifnotunderload
Instructions
1.TieastandardSheetBend.
2.Bringtheworkingendofthethinnerropebackarounditsownstandingpart.
3.Tucktheworkingendthroughthecrossingturnattheendofthethinnerropefrombacktofront.ThiscompletesaFigure8Knotinthethinnerrope.
4.Holdbothpartsofthebightinthethickerropetogetherwiththeworkingendofthethinnerrope.Pullthestandingpartofthethinnerropetotighten.
5.Thefinishedknot.
Untying:PulltheworkingendofthethinnerlineoutofthetwocrossingturnsinsequencetoundotheFigure8Knot.
48.Three-waySheetBendThisknotcanbeusedtoformatowropejoinedtoabridlebetweentheportandstarboardsterncleatsonaboat.Usedintheoppositeway(withthesinglelineastheanchorandtheothertwolinestrailing),asinglestrongpaddlercouldtowtwoweakerones.Itisinsecureandpronetoslippage,butthiscanberemediedbyfinishingtheknotasaTuckedSheetBend(opposite).
Uses:two-to-oneorone-totwotowing
Pros:oneoffeweasythree-waybends;easytotieanduntie;workswithdifferentdiameterropes
Cons:insecureandsubjecttoslipping
Instructions
1.Makeabightwiththethickerrope.Keepingthetwothinnerropesparallel,passtheirworkingendsthroughthebightfrombacktofront,aroundthebight’sworkingend,andthenaroundthestandingpartof
thebight,bringingthetwoworkingendsforward.
2.Tuckboththinnerworkingendsbeneaththeirownstandingparts.
3.Totighten,pullbothpartsofthebightwithonehand,andthestandingpartsofboththinnerropeswiththeother.Ifatuckedfinishisdesired,thetwothinnerropesmaybebroughtforwardandpassedthroughtheirowncrossingturnfrombacktofront,sothatallthreeworkingendsfacethesamedirection.
Untying:Pulltheworkingendsofthethinnerropesoutfromundertheparallelcrossingturns.
49.FlemishBendAlsoknownas:FlemishKnot,Figure8Bend
Popularamongclimbersandsailors,theFlemishBendistwointertwinedor“threaded”Figure8Knots(alsoknownasFlemishKnots)tiedinropesofequaldiameter.It’sdifficulttountieinnaturalfiber,buteasyenoughinslipperiersynthetic.
Uses:staticrigging
Pros:moresecurethanmostsheetbends
Cons:difficulttountieinnaturalfiberrope;onlyforropesofequaldiameters
Instructions
1.TieaFigure8Knotintheendofoneoftheropes.
2.PullalongworkingendoftheotherropethroughthefirstcrossingturnofthefirstFigure8,paralleltothefirstone’sworkingendbutfromtheoppositedirection.
3.Usethesecondworkingendtofollowthefirstfigure8aroundinparallel.Gooverthefirstrope’sstandingpartandfollowitssecondcrossingturn,goingnextthroughitsfirstcrossingturnfrombacktofront.
4.Keepfollowingthefirstfigure8withthesecondworkingend.Thelastmovetakesitbackthroughthesecondcrossingturnofthefirstropefromfronttoback.
5.Thethreadednatureoftheknotisapparentbeforetightening.Bothlinesrunparallelthroughout.
6.Tighteningrequiresholdingonestandingpartandpullingalternatelyonthetwostrandsontheoppositeendoftheknot,thenswitchingtoholdtheotherstandingpartandpullingalternately“new”oppositeends.
Untying:Grabonepairofcrossingturnsineachhandandflextheknotbackandforthuntiltheyloosen.Thenpullbothworkingendsthroughthecrossingturns.
50.DoubleFigure8BendAlsoknownas:FlemishBend
Oneofthemostsecurebends,thisisafavoriteclimbingknotbecauseofitsgreatstrengthandabilitytoabsorbshockloads.LiketheFlemishBend,it’scomposedoftwoFigure8Knots,buthereeachoneistiedaroundthestandingpartoftheotherrope,ratherthanbeingthreadedtogether.
Uses:joiningropesforclimbing,mountaineering
Pros:verysecureandstrong,absorbsshockloads
Cons:noneknown
Instructions
1.TieaFigure8Knotinonerope.Turnitoverifnecessary,sotheworkingendemergesfromthefirstcrossingturnfrombacktofront.Passtheworkingendoftheotherropethroughthefigure8’sfirstcrossingturnfromfronttoback,parallelwiththefirstworkingendbutintheoppositedirection.
2.Makeanunderhandclockwisecrossingturnwiththesecondrope’sworkingendaroundthefirstrope’sstandingpart.
3.Finishthesecondfigure8bytakingtheworkingendoverthefrontofitsownstandingpart,thendrawingitthroughitsfirstcrossingturnfrombacktofront.Tightenbothfigure8sseparately.
4.Pullthetwostandingpartstodrawthefigure8stogether.Thetwomayalsobeleftsomeinchesapartasshown,toabsorbshockloads.
5.Thefinishedknotwiththetwofigure8sdrawntogether.
Untying:Pullthetwofigure8sawayfromeachother,thenuntieeachseparately.
51.CarrickBendAlsoknownas:CarrickBendwithEndsAdjacent,DoubleCarrickBend,JosephineKnot
Composedentirelyoflarge-radiuscurves,theCarrickBendisidealforjoiningtheendsofstiffropesofequaldiametersthatcan’ttaketightcurves.Thisversionplacestheworkingendsnexttoeachotherwhenitistightened.Anotherversion,theCarrickBendwithEndsOpposed,hastheworkingendspointinginoppositedirectionsandisstrictlyfordecorativeuse—hencenotincludedhere.
Uses:joiningheavy,stiffropes
Pros:strongerandmoresecurethanaSheetBendorSquareKnot;won’tjam
Cons:noneknown
Instructions(NBR1=Rope1,R2=Rope2)
1.Laythetworopeswithworkingendsfacing.Makeanunderhandclockwisecrossingturnintheropeontheright(R1).PassthestandingpartofR2beneaththecrossingturn,andtakeitsworkingendoverthestandingpartandundertheworkingendofR1.
2.BringtheworkingendofR2overthestanding-partlegofthecrossingturninR1andunderitsownstandingpart.
3.PulltheworkingendofR2overtheoppositelegofthecrossingturninR1tocompletethesecondoftheinterlockingcrossingturns.
4.Pullbothstandingpartstotighten.
5.Theknotwillcapsizeasittightens,losingsomeofthevisualappealithaswhenloose,butbecomingverysecure.
Untying:Eachworkingendiscapturedbyabightinthestandingpartofthesamerope.Startingwitheitherrope,pushthebightinthedirectionofthestandingpart,thenpullslackfromthestandingpart,andfinallyremovetheworkingendoftheoppositerope.
52.ZeppelinBendAlsoknownas:Rosendahl’sKnot
Thisisaverystrong,secureknotthatwillsnugupandfairitselfnicelywhenfirstplacedunderload.Itworkswellinequal-sizecordageofanydiameterandcanbeeasilyuntied,buttheworkingendsstickingoutinoppositedirectionsatrightanglestothestandingpartsmakeitinappropriatefordraggingovergroundortowingthroughwater.
Uses:loadlifting,safety
Pros:strong;remainssecurewhenunloaded;easilyuntied
Cons:trickytotie;bulky;maycatchwhendragged
Instructions(NBR1=Rope1,R2=Rope2)
1.Placethetworopesnexttoeachother,facingthesamedirection.Makeanoverhandclockwisecrossingturninthelowerone(hereafter,R1)sothatitsworkingendpassesoverR2.
2.BringtheworkingendofR1behindbothstandingpartsandtiealooseOverhandKnotaroundR2.
3.HoldingthetworopestogetherattheOverhandKnot,pullabightintothestandingpartofR2belowtheknot.
4.PulltheworkingendofR2throughthebightfrombacktofront.
5.PulltheworkingendofR2throughtheOverhandKnotfromfronttoback.
6.Holdbothstandingpartstogetherinonehandandpullthetwoworkingendstightwiththeother.
7.Theknotassumesitspropershapeafterthetwostandingpartsarepulledtightinoppositedirections.
8.Theoppositesideofthefinishedknot.
Untying:TheknotendswithwhatareessentiallytwoHalfHitcheslockingthetwoworkingendsagainsteachother.Alternately,theymaybeviewedasturnsaroundtheirownstandingpartsandthefirstcrossingturnoftheotherrope.Whateveryouwishtocallthem,pulltheminoppositedirectionstoloosentheknot.
53.Hunter’sBendAlsoknownas:Rigger’sBend
Withitsworkingendsfacinginoppositedirections,perpendiculartothestandingparts,theHunter’sBendresemblestheZeppelinBend.Becausetheopposingcrossingturnsmustremainparallelbeforetightening,itisbesttiedonaflatsurface.Foryearsitwasusedbyriggersandclimbersandnotbyhunters,butitwaspopularizedbyaDr.Hunterinthe1970s.
Uses:loadbearing
Pros:remainssecurewithorwithoutload;holdsslipperyropewell
Cons:fussytotieinhand;jams
Instructions(NBR1=Rope1,R2=Rope2)
1.Layoutthetworopeswiththeirworkingendsfacingeachotherandoverlappingbyafoot(30cm)ormore,withtheropeontheright(R1)abovetheoneontheleft(R2).
2.MakeanoverhandclockwisecrossingturnwithR1,thenacounterclockwiseunderhandcrossingturnwithR2paralleltoandaroundthefirstone.Theworkingendswillcontinuetofacethesamedirectionasintheoriginallayout.
3.PasstheworkingendofR1throughbothcrossingturnsfrombacktofront.
4.PasstheworkingendofR2throughbothcrossingturnsfromfronttoback.
5.Theknotbeforeitistightened.
6.Holdtheworkingendsstationarybetweenthumbandindexfingerasshown.Grabthestandingpartsbetweenyourotherfingersandtheheelofyourhand,andpullthestandingpartstoremovealltheslack.
7.Theknotwillcollapseintoitspropershapeastheslackisremoved.Pullthestandingpartstotighten.
Untying:Eachrope’sworkingendiscapturedbyabightinitsownstandingpart.Workingwitheitherrope,pushthebighttowardthestandingpart;pullslackfromthestandingpartthenfreetheworkingendoftheotherrope.
54.Ashley’sBend
Ashley’sBendissecureevenifsubjectedtomovementandunloading,andisoneofthebestfortyinginthinstuffandbungeecord.LiketheHunter’sBend,itconsistsoftwointertwinedcrossingturns,butinAshley’scase,thesetupplacesthetworopesinthesamedirection.Thefinishedknotissomewhatuntidybuteffective.
Uses:thinrope,bungeecord,generalloadbearing
Pros:verysecure;untieseasily
Cons:fussytotieinhand;difficulttoseeifit’stiedcorrectly;jams
Instructions(NBR1=Rope1,R2=Rope2)
1.Laythetworopessidebysidefacingthesamedirection.Makeaclockwiseunderhandcrossingturnwiththeleftrope(R1)aroundR2.
2.MakeaclockwiseunderhandcrossingturnwithR2,placingtheworkingendontopofthestandingpartofR1.
3.Takebothworkingendsandpassthemthroughbothcrossingturnsfromfronttoback.
4.Pullbothworkingendsagainstbothstandingpartstoremoveslack.
5.Pullthetwostandingpartstotighten.Fairtheknotsothattheworkingendsareparallelandadjacent,witheachworkingendperpendicularandadjacenttoitsownstandingpart.
Untying:BothworkingendsareheldunderacrossingturnofR2.Leverthisdowntowardtheworkingends,thenpulltheendsfree.R2remainsheldbyanOverhandKnotinR1whichmustthenbeloosened.
55.Fisherman’sKnotAlsoknownas:TrueLover’sKnot,WaterKnot,Waterman’sKnot,EnglishKnot,Englishman’sKnot
ThissimplebuteffectivebendconsistsoftwoOverhandKnots,eachtiedaroundthestandingpartoftheotherrope.Theworkingendsmaybetapedagainstthestandingpartsforaddedsecurity.
Uses:joiningendsofsmallormediumcordage
Pros:easyandquicktotie
Cons:cancapsizeorslipundertension;difficulttountie
Instructions
1.Withtheropesfacingoppositedirections,overlaptheirworkingendsbyseveralinches.TieanOverhandKnotintheworkingendofoneropearoundthestandingpartoftheother.
2.TieasecondOverhandKnotinthesecondropearoundthestandingpartofthefirst.TightenbothOverhandKnots.
3.PullthestandingpartstodrawtheOverhandKnotstogether.
4.Thefinishedknotdrawntight.
Untying:SlidethetwoOverhandKnotsapartanduntieeachseparately.
56.DoubleFisherman’sKnotAlsoknownas:GrinnerKnot,GrapevineKnot,DoubleEnglishKnot
ThissimplevariationontheFisherman’sKnotplacesDoubleOverhandKnotsaroundthestandingpartsoftheoppositerope.ItismuchmoresecurethanthestandardFisherman’sKnotandworksbetterinlargerrope.
Uses:joiningendsofropeofanyweight,includingfishingmonofilamentandanchorlines
Pros:easytotie;quitesecure
Cons:difficulttountie
Instructions
1.Withtheropesfacingoppositedirections,overlaptheirworkingendsbyseveralinches.Makeacrossingturnwithoneworkingendaroundthestandingpartoftheotherrope.
2.Makearoundturnaroundthestandingpart,workingbacktowardthefirstrope’sstandingpart.
3.PasstheworkingendthroughtheroundturnandthecrossingturntofinishthefirstDoubleOverhandKnot.Pullittight.
4.TieanidenticalDoubleOverhandKnotintheotherworkingendaroundthefirstrope’sstandingpart.
5.PullthetwostandingpartstodrawtheDoubleOverhandKnotstogether.
6.Thecompletedknot.Trimtheworkingendsshortforfishingline;leavethemlongforload-bearingapplicationssuchasanchorlines.
Untying:SlidethetwoDoubleOverhandKnotsapartanduntieeachseparately.
57.BloodKnotAlsoknownas:BarrelKnot,BloodKnotwithInwardCoil
Thisisaverypopularfishingknot,butitworkswellinheavierstufftoo.Itsnugsupsotightthatit’squitedifficult,ifnotimpossible,tountie.
Uses:joiningendsofropeofanyweight,especiallymonofilament
Pros:verysecure;simpleinconcept
Cons:difficulttomanipulate;verydifficulttountieunderload
Instructions
1.Withtheropesfacingoppositedirections,overlaptheirworkingends.Makeacrossingturninoneworkingendaroundthestandingpartoftheotherrope.
2.Pullthecrossingturntightandmakearoundturnaroundtheotherrope’sstandingpart,workingtowardthefirstrope’sstandingpart.
3.Keepwrappingroundturnsaroundthestandingpartofthesecondrope.
4.Withaminimumoffiveturnsaltogether(includingtheoriginalcrossingturn),passtheworkingendbetweenitsownstandingpartandtheworkingendoftheotherrope.
5.Holdingthefirstworkingendinplace,makeanidenticalsetofcrossingandroundturnswiththesecondworkingendaroundthestandingpartofthefirstrope.Thisrequiressomedexterityorasuperabundanceoffingers.
6.Thetwoworkingendsshouldfacethesamedirectionbetweenthestandingpartsasyoupullonthestandingpartstodrawthecoilstogether.Iftyinginmonofilament,adropofwaterorspitonthecoilswillhelpthemslidemoreeasilyandtightenmoresecurely.
7.Thefinishedknot.
Untying:Considerthisknotpermanent.Ifyoumustattempttountieit,trytopullthecoilsawayfromeachother.Thatwillfreetheworkingends.
PartSeven
Hitches
Tieahitchwhenyouneedtoconnecttwoobjectswithalengthofrope.Unlikeloopknots,inwhichtheropeistiedtoitselfandisindependentoftheobjectencircled,hitchesgenerallydependupontheobjecttowhichtheyaretiedfortheirformandintegrity:removetheobject,andthereisnoknot.Theyareoftentiedaroundroughlycylindricalobjectsliketrees,posts,rails,stakes,poles,bitts,andbollards.
58.MarlinespikeHitch
Uses:temporary“handle”forpullingline
Pros:quick,easy,untiesinstantly
Cons:strictlytemporary;canslip
59.RoundTurnandTwoHalfHitches
Uses:hitchoradjustablenooseforperpendicularloads,e.g.,boats,tarpridgelines
Pros:strongandfairlysecure,easytotieanduntie,adjustable
Cons:canslip,adjustmentnotassecureasTautLineHitch
60.TurnandTwoHalfHitches
Uses:hitchoradjustablenooseforperpendicularloads,e.g.,boats,clotheslines
Pros:useslessropeandeasiertoadjustthanRoundTurnversion
Cons:somewhatlesssecurethanRoundTurnversion
61.TautLineHitch
Uses:adjustablehitch;tentandflyguys,cargotie-down,clotheslines,tarpridgelines
Pros:tightenseasily;holdsadjustmentbetterthanTwoHalfHitches
Cons:canslip,morecomplicatedthanTwoHalfHitches
62.BuntlineHitch
Uses:halyards,sailsheets,tarpguyattachment,frictionnoose
Pros:verysecureevenifshaken
Cons:difficulttountie
63.AnchorBend—Version1
Uses:anchors,grapnels,hitchingtoaring
Pros:verysecureinslipperyline;canbetiedloosearoundtheobject
Cons:noneknown
64.AnchorBend—Version2
Uses:anchors,grapnels,hitchingtoaring
Pros:strong,secure,morecompactthanVersion1
Cons:strainonropeisgreaterthanVersion1
65.,66.CloveHitch(alsoonabight)
Uses:light-dutyhitchforboats,hanginggear;bindingknot
Pros:easyandquicktotie
Cons:insecure;canjam
67.ConstrictorKnot
Uses:heavy-dutyhitchinthinline;binding;seizing
Pros:verysecure,easytotie;endscanbecutshort
Cons:verydifficulttountieiftightenedhard
68.RollingHitch
Uses:pullingortakingstrainoffanotherrope,securingaloadinlinewithfixedobject
Pros:secureandeasy
Cons:insecureifloadisperpendiculartoobject
69.TimberHitch
Uses:haulingandliftinglargeheavycylinders
Pros:simpletotie,easytountie
Cons:insecureifloadisperpendiculartoobject
70.,71.,72.,73.CowHitch(onabight,inasling,overtheend,withoneworkingend)
Uses:hitchinganimals;addinghangingloopsortie-offstorails,rings,otherropes
Pros:easyandquicktotiebymanymethods,easytountie;doesnotjam
Cons:insecure;unequalloadswillshift
74.PedigreeCowHitch
Uses:hitchingtorails,posts,andrings,hanginggear
Pros:onlycowhitchwithasingleload-bearingpart;secureinanydirection
Cons:notamongthemostsecurehitches;canbedifficulttountie
75.CowHitchwithToggle
Uses:hanginggearfromhorizontalropesorrails
Pros:quickandeasytotieanduntie;workswhenonlyabightisavailable
Cons:insecure;willslipifloadedunevenly;requiresatoggle
76.MooringHitch
Uses:quick-releaseadjustablehitchforconstantlightloads
Pros:releasesinstantlyandadjustablefarfromthefixedobject
Cons:insecure
77.Highwayman’sHitch
Uses:quick-releasehitchforboatsorhorses
Pros:releasesinstantlyfarfromthefixedobject
Cons:insecure;notadjustableliketheMooringHitch
58.MarlinespikeHitchAlsoknownas:MarlingspikeHitch
ThisisaSlippedOverhandKnotwithashaftpassedthroughthedrawlooptoprovideatemporaryhandlewithwhichtopulltheline.Itcanbeusedwithheavyrope,butitsmainuseistoapplytensiononthinstuffthatwouldotherwisecutintoyourhands.It’sespeciallyusefulforpullingthreadtightinwhippingsandseizings(seePartNine).Ascrewdriveroranyothersmoothrodcanbeusedinplaceofapropermarlinespike.
Uses:addingatemporary“handle”forpullingthincordage
Pros:quickandeasy,untiesinstantly;addspowerandcomfortwhenpulling
Cons:strictlytemporary;canslipinuse
Instructions
1.Makeanunderhandcrossingturn
2.Positionthestandingpartbeneaththecrossingturntomakea“pretzel”shape.
3.Passthemarlinespikeover-under-overthroughthecrossingturn:overthetopofthecrossingturn,underthestandingpart,andoverthebottomofthecrossingturn.
4.Pullthemarlinespikesothatitdrawsabightintothestandingpartthatcomesthroughthecrossingturnfrombacktofront.Continuepullinguntilthecrossingturntightensagainstthemarlinespike.
Untying:Removethemarlinespike.TheknotbecomesaSlippedOverhandKnotthatcanbeeasilypulledstraight.
Marline,Marling,MarlinMarline(alsomarlingandmarlin)isthin,strongcord,usuallytarred,usedforseizingsandservingsonsailingships.Thewordhasaconfusedetymologybutitclearlyhasnothingtodowiththemarlinfish.Amarlinespikeisatooltopullmarlinetight,andmarlinespikeseamanshipreferstothiskindofwork,inadditiontosplicing.
59.RoundTurnandTwoHalfHitches
Oneofthebesthitchesforloadsthatareroughlyperpendiculartoafixedobject,TwoHalfHitchesareeasytotieanduntie,fairlysecure,adjustablefortightnessorlength,andstrongerthanmosthitches,becausetheloadisbornbytheturnsaroundtheobject,notbytheknotitself.Thepreferredmethodbeginswitharoundturnaroundtheobject.
Uses:hitchforanyloadperpendiculartoobject;boats,clotheslines,ridgelines,towing,tentguys
Pros:strong,secure,easytotieanduntie,adjustable
Cons:notassecureasaTautLineHitch
Instructions
1.Makearoundturnaroundtheobject.Iftheobjectisvertical,itisoftenmoreconvenient,butnotessential,towindtheroundturndownward,sothattheworkingendfinishesbelowthestandingpart.
2.MakeanoverhandcrossingturnaroundthestandingparttoformthefirstHalfHitch.
3.BeginthesecondHalfHitchbytakingtheworkingendinfrontofthestandingpartagain.
Untying:Ifthelineisloaded,slidethehitchestowardthefixedobjecttoreleasetension.ThenundotheHalfHitches.
4.CompletethesecondHalfHitchbymakinganotheroverhandcrossingturnaroundthestandingpart.
5.Notehowtheworkingendiscapturedbetweenthetwocrossingturns.
6.Totightenthestandingpart,slidetheHalfHitchesawayfromtheanchoringobject,feedingslackthroughtheroundturnasneeded.
60.TurnandTwoHalfHitchesAlsoknownas:HalfTurnandTwoHalfHitches
ThisslightlysimplerwaytotieTwoHalfHitchesplacesasingleturn—notaroundturn—aroundthefixedobject.It’smarginallyquickertotie,requireslessropeifitistobetiedaroundalargeobjectlikeatreetrunk,andgenerateslessfrictionagainsttheobject,makingitlesssecurebuteasiertoadjustfortension.
Uses:hitchforanyloadperpendiculartoobject
Pros:strong,fairlysecure,easytotieanduntie
Cons:lesssecurethanaRoundTurnwithTwoHalfHitches
Instructions
1.TakeaturnaroundthefixedobjectandcompleteaHalfHitch.
2.CompletethesecondHalfHitch.
3.Slidethecompletedknottowardtheworkingparttotakeuptheslack,feedinglinearoundthefixedobject.
4.Orsnugthecompletedknotagainstthefixedobjectforslackinthestandingpartandgreatersecurityintheknotitself.
Untying:Ifthelineisloaded,slidethehitchestowardthefixedobjecttoreleasetension.ThenundotheHalfHitches.
61.TautLineHitchAlsoknownas:Midshipman’sHitch,Blackwall’sHitch
ThisslidingknotisalittlemorecomplicatedthanTwoHalfHitches,butitholdsbetter.It’safavoriteamongcanoeistsandothersmallboaterstotightentheboat’sbowandsternlinestoacar’stowinghookswhencar-topping.
Uses:adjustablehitch;tentandflyguys,roof-rackcargotie-down,clotheslines,tarpridgelines
Pros:tightenseasily;holdsbetterthanTwoHalfHitches
Cons:canslip
Instructions
1.TieaHalfHitcharoundorthroughthefixedobject.
2.Lifttheworkingendtomakeanoverhandcrossingturnaroundthestandingpart,thenpasstheworkingendbehindthestandingpart.
3.Bringtheworkingendthroughthehalfhitchfrombacktofrontwithoutoverlappingthecrossingturn(i.e.,keeptheworkingendfartherfromthefixedobjectthanthecrossingturn).
4.Theworkingendpulledtightatthisstage.
5.Passtheworkingendbehindthestandingpartandbringitforwardagain.
6.PasstheworkingendunderitselftocompleteaHalfHitcharoundthestandingpart.
7.Theknotresistsslippingwhenloadisappliedtothestandingpart.Itcanbeslidtowardthestandingparttotightentheline,orslidtheotherwaytosnugupagainstthefixedobjectandputslackinthestandingpart.
Untying:Slidetheknotalongthestandingparttocreatesomeslack,thenundothefinalHalfHitchtofreetheworkingend.
62.BuntlineHitch
TheBuntlineHitchholdsexceptionallywellwhensnuggedupagainsttheobjecttowhichit’stied,whichmakesitafavoriteinjobswheretheknotwillbesubjectedtoalotofshakingabout,likeflaghalyardsanddiningflies.Itcanalsobeusedasafrictionnoose,likeTwoHalfHitches,totightenthestakeendofguylinesontentsandflies.
Uses:sailandflaghalyards,sailsheets,tarpssetflying,frictionnooseforguylines
Pros:verysecure
Cons:difficulttountie
Instructions
1.Makeaturnwiththeworkingendaroundthefixedobjectorthroughtheringfrombacktofront.Makeanoverhandcrossingturnintheworkingendaroundthestandingpart.Crosstheworkingendoverthestanding-partlegoftheturn.
2.Passtheworkingendunderthestanding-partlegoftheturnandpullitthroughtotieaHalfKnot.
3.PushtheHalfKnotandthecrossingturntogether,capturingtheworkingendbetweenthem,thenpulltheworkingendtight.Asshown,theknotfunctionsasafrictionnoose.
4.Iftheknotissnuggeduptightagainstthering,itwillholdtenaciouslyandbecomeverydifficulttountie.
Untying:Itmaybenecessarytocreateslackinthestandingpartfirst.Thenslidetheknottowardthestandingparttocreateslackaroundtheobject.Atthatpoint,theworkingendcanbepulledfree.
63.AnchorBend—Version1Alsoknownas:Fisherman’sBend
Inspiteofitsname,theAnchorBendisahitch,anditisusuallytiedtoaring.Itisidealfortyingananchor,becausetheinitialroundturnisnottightenedaroundtheanchor’sring.Thislooseconnectionallowstheknottoshiftincompensationtoaboat’scontinualmovementswhenatanchor,reducingstrainontherope.
Uses:anchors,grapnels,hitchingtoanyring
Pros:verysecure;doesnottightenagainstthehitchedobject;holdswellinslipperyline
Cons:noneknown
Instructions
1.Passtheworkingendthroughtheringfrombacktofront,thenthroughagaintomakearoundturn.Passtheworkingendbehindthestandingpart.
2.Passtheworkingendthroughtheroundturn.
3.Theworkingendmaybepulledtightatthispoint,asshown,ifyouwanttheknottobesolidagainstthering.Ifyouwanttheknotto“float”aroundthering,leaveitloosefornow.
4.Passtheworkingendbehindthestandingpart,bringitforward,andpassitthroughtomakeasingleHalfHitcharoundthestandingpart.
5.PulltheHalfHitchtightagainsttheroundturn.
Untying:UndotheHalfHitch,thenpulltheworkingendthroughtheroundturn.Ifyoucan’tpulltheworkingendthrough,loosentheroundturnbypullingslackfromthestandingpart.
64.AnchorBend—Version2
UnlikethestandardAnchorBend,thisversiondoesnot“float.”Itneedstobetightenedagainstthering.Whatitgivesupinstrainreductionitgainsinlowerabrasion.
Uses:anchors,grapnels,hitchingtoanyring
Pros:strong,secure,compact;lowerabrasionthanstandardAnchorBend
Cons:appliesmorestraintoropethanastandardAnchorBend
Instructions
1.Passtheworkingendthroughtheringfromfronttoback,thenthroughagaintomakearoundturn.PasstheworkingendinfrontofthestandingpartthenthroughtheroundturntomakeakindofdoubledHalf
Hitch.Don’tpullittightyet.
2.Taketheworkingendacrossandinfrontoftheroundturn.
3.Passtheworkingendthroughtheroundturnasecondtime.Theknotmustbeworkedgraduallyintoshape,pullingslackthroughtheroundturnandhitchesandintotheworkingendandstandingpartsabitatatimeuntiltheroundturnistightaroundthering.
Untying:Pulltheworkingendthroughtheroundturn.Ifnecessary,firstloosentheroundturnbypullingslackfromthestandingpartthroughthedoubledHalfHitch.
65.CloveHitchAlsoknownas:Builder’sKnot,DryWeatherHitch
Thisisausefullight-dutyhitchforsituationswheretheloadwillbefairlyconstantandatrightanglestoastationaryobject,butitcanbeinsecure—oritmayjam—inothersituations.It’seasytotieintheendofarope,asdescribedhere,oronabight,asshownonthefollowingpage.Itformsthebasisforseveralotherhitchesandcanalsoserveasalight-dutybindingknot.
Uses:light-dutyhitch,tyingupboats,hanginggearfromhorizontalpoles,bindingknot
Pros:easyandquicktotie
Cons:insecure;canjam
Instructions
1.FormaSingleHitchwiththeworkingendoverthestandingpart.Bringtheworkingendaroundtheobjectagainbutdonotpullittight.
2.Passtheworkingendunderneathitself,besidethestandingpart.Tomaketheknoteasiertountie,theworkingendmaybeformedintoabightbeforepassingitthrough,tomakeadrawloop.
3.Pullbothendstotighten.
Untying:PulltheworkingendthroughthefirstSingleHitchthatsecuresit,thenthroughthesecondone.
66.CloveHitchonaBightAlsoknownas:Builder’sKnot,DryWeatherHitch
ItissometimesconvenienttotieaCloveHitchonabight—forexample,iftheworkingendisespeciallylong.Thismethodplacestheropeinitsfinalarrangementbeforeitisslippedoveroneendoftheobject,butitresultsinaknotthat’saproperCloveHitch.
Uses:light-dutyhitch,tyingupboats,perimeterlinesonstakes,bindingknot
Pros:easyandquicktotie
Cons:insecure;canjam
Instructions
1.Inabightoftherope,makeanunderhandandanoverhandcrossingturnnexttoeachother.
2.Placetheunderhandcrossingturnovertheoverhandcrossingturn.
3.Slidebothcrossingturnsoveranendoftheobject
4.Pullbothendstotighten.
Untying:LoosenbothSingleHitchesbypullingsomeslackfrombothends,thensliptheknotofftheendoftheobject.
67.ConstrictorKnotAlsoknownas:Gunner’sKnot
TheConstrictorKnotisfarmoresecureasahitchthanthecloselyrelatedCloveHitchandisoneofthebestbindingknotsaround.Itexcelsinthinlineandmakesaveryeffectiveseizingintheendofaheavierropetopreventunraveling.Ifpulledtight,itcanbenearlyimpossibletountie.
Uses:heavy-dutyhitchinthinline,binding,seizing
Pros:verysecure;easytotie;endscanbecutshort
Cons:verydifficulttountie
Instructions
1.TiealooseCloveHitcharoundtheobject.
2.Liftthestandingpartwhereitbeginstomakeaturnaroundtheobjectandtucktheworkingendthrough.
3.Pullbothendstight.
Untying:Iftheknothasbeenpulledtight,itmaybeimpossibletountie.Tocutsafely,applyyourknifetothetopdiagonalpart.
68.RollingHitchAlsoknownas:MagnusHitch,Magner’sHitch
WheretheCloveHitchonlyworkswellwhentheloadisatnearlyarightangletotheobject,thiscousinknotholdssecurelywhentheloadandtheobjectareinornearalignmentwitheachother.Itthereforeworkswelltohoistspars,pilings,andotherpolesinaverticalorientation.
Uses:liftingorsecuringaloadinthesamedirectionasashaftorline,takingstrainoffanotherrope,pullingorsecuringanotherrope
Pros:secureandeasy
Cons:onlysecurewithloadinlinewithobject
Instructions
1.MakeaSingleHitcharoundtheobjectorotherropewiththeworkingendoverthestandingpart.Ultimately,loadwillbeappliedbythestandingpartfromthedirectioninwhichtheworkingendoverlapsthestandingpartatthisstage(i.e.,fromtherightinthephoto).
2.Makeaturnaroundtheobject,bringingtheworkingendbetweenthestandingpartandthecrossingturn.
3.Makeanotherturnaroundtheobject,thistimeoverthestandingparttocaptureitasecondtime.
4.Bringtheworkingendunderthepreviousturn,formingaHalfKnot.Theworkingendmaybeformedintoabighttocreateadrawloopifdesired.
5.Pullbothendstotighten.Whenloadisappliedintheproperdirection,thestandingpartwilloverlapthetwoturnstotheright,nottheworkingend.
69.TimberHitch
ThetimberandconstructionindustriesusetheTimberHitchregularlyforhaulingandliftinglogs,poles,pilings,andculverttubes.Itcannotbetiedtightlyaroundtheobject,butwhenloadisapplied,thepressureoftheropeagainsttheobjectsecuresitwell,andwhentheloadisreleased,theknotbecomeslooseagainandiseasytoundo.
Uses:hauling,liftingortowinglogs,pipes,heavyobjects,orbundlesofpoles
Pros:simpletotieanduntie
Cons:insecureifloadisperpendiculartoobject;mayrequireturningtheobject
Instructions
1.Makeanunderhandcrossingturnaroundtheobjectalittlewaybackfromtheendfromwhichtheobjectwillbepulled.
2.Bringtheworkingendforwardtoformanoverhandcrossingturnaroundthestandingpart.
3.Tucktheworkingendunderneaththecrossingturnthatsurroundstheobject.
4.Makeatleasttwomoretucksaroundthefirstcrossingturn.Moretuckswillbemoresecure.
5.Pullthestandingparttightandhaultheloadfromthestandingpart.
Untying:Simplyunwraptheworkingendthroughthetucks.
70.CowHitchAlsoknownas:Lark’sHead,LanyardHitch,RingHitch,TagHitch,BaleSlingHitch
ThepanoplyofalternatenamesfortheCowHitchhintsatitspopularityindifferenttrades.It’saquick,easywaytoaddalooporapairoftie-offpointstoafixedobject,anditcanbetiedbyseveralmethods,attheendofaropeoronabight.Aslongasbothworkingendsaresecure,itcan’tcomeundone.
Uses:hitchinganimals,hanginggear,addingloopsortie-offstoposts,rails,rings,orotherropes
Pros:simpleandquicktotiebymanymethods;easytountie;doesnotjam
Cons:insecure;slipsunderunequalloads
Method1:OnaBightUsethismethodwhenbothworkingendsarefreeandwillbetiedtotheobjectbeingsecuredafterthehitchisinplace.
1.Doubletherope,makingabightatthehalfwaypoint.Passthebightthroughoraroundthefixedobject.
2.Passbothworkingendsthroughthebight.
3.Pullbothworkingendstighttofinishthehitch.
71.Method2:InaSlingThisisaconvenientmethodtoaddalooptoafixedobjectforhanginggear.It’squitesimilartothepreviousmethod.
1.Formabightintheslingandpassitthroughoraroundtheobject.
2.Passtherestoftheslingthroughthebightandpullittight.
Untying:Ifbothworkingendsarefree,simplygrabthecrossingpartandpull.Ifonlyoneworkingendisfree,pullontheturninthestandingparttodrawthefreeworkingendthroughthecrossingpart.Ifbothendsaretoremaintied,pullsomeslackintothestandingparts,thenpulltheslackintothecrossingpart:theknotcanthenbeslidovertheendofthefixedobject.
72.Method3:OvertheEndThisisaconvenientmethodforhitchingtoanopen-endedobject.Itworkswithtwofreeendsorwithaclosedloop.It’saneffectivewaytotieahorse’sclosedreinstoastakeorpost.
1.Makeabightintherope,thenfoldthebightoverthetwostandingpartstoformtwooverhandcrossingturns,oneclockwiseandtheothercounterclockwise.
2.Foldthetwocrossingturnsbackaroundthestandingparts.
3.Slidethecrossingturnsovertheendofthefixedobjectandpullthestandingpartstight.
73.Method4:WithOneWorkingEndThismethodisusedwhenoneoftherope’sendsisalreadyattachedtotheobjectbeingsecured,buttheotherendisfree.
1.Makeanoverhandcrossingturnaroundthefixedobject.Passtheworkingendbehindtheobject.(Theworkingendisshortinthephotoforclarity.Itwouldnormallybeaslongasthestandingpart.)
2.Bringtheworkingendforwardanddown,adjacentandparalleltothestandingpart.Thiscreatesanunderhandcrossingturnnexttotheoverhandone.
3.Pullbothendstight,thenattachthefreeworkingendtotheobjecttoberestrained.
74.PedigreeCowHitch
AllotherCowHitcheshavetwostandingparts,bothofwhichmustbeloadedfairlyequally.Incontrast,thePedigreeCowHitchisdesignedtobetiedwithashortworkingend,andtobearloadonasinglestandingpart.It’softenrecommendedforhanginggardentoolsfromahorizontalpole(withthestandingpartoftheropepermanentlyattachedtothetoolhandle),butit’sfairlysecurenomatterwhatdirectionthepullisfrom.
Uses:hitchingtorails,postsandrings,hanginggear
Pros:theonlycowhitchforloadononestandingpart;secureinanydirection;easytotie
Cons:notamongthemostsecurehitches;canbedifficulttountie
Instructions
1.Makeabightneartheworkingendoftheropeandpassitthroughtheringfrombacktofrontorbehindtheobjecttowhichitwillbetied.
2.Passbothendsoftheropethroughthebight,formingtwocrossingturnsaroundtheobject.(Ifeitherendisnotavailable,followthefirsttwostepsofCowHitch,Method4.)
3.Passtheworkingendthroughbothcrossingturns.
4.Pulltheworkingendtight,thenpullthestandingparttotightentheknot.
Untying:Ifthehitchistootighttopulltheworkingendfree,pullslackfromthestandingpartthroughthebight,thenloosenthebightandthecrossingturnthatsecurestheworkingend.
75.CowHitchwithaToggle
SometimesaCowHitchisdesiredandnoneofthepreviousmethodsapply,becausethefixedobjectisclosed(likearing),neitherendoftheropeisfree,andtheobjectbeingrestrainedistoolargeorunwieldytopassthroughabight.Thishitchreliesonatoggle—ashortstickorshaftofsomesort—tohold.It’sanexcellentmethodbywhichgearwithahangingloopalreadyattachedcanbehungfromahorizontalline.
Uses:hanginggearfromringsandhorizontalropesorrails
Pros:quickandeasytotieanduntie;workswhenonlyabightisavailable
Cons:insecureifsubjecttomotion;willslipifloadedunevenly;requiresatoggle
Instructions
1.Passthebightthroughtheringoraroundthefixedobject.
2.Bendthebightdownoverthetwostandingpartstomaketwoopposedcrossingturns.
3.Slipthetogglethroughbothcrossingturns,goingover,under,under,andoverthelegsinorder.
4.Pullthestandingpartstosecurethetoggle.
Untying:Pulloutthetoggleandthebightcanbewithdrawnfromthefixedobject.
76.MooringHitchAlsoknownas:HighPostHitch
Thishitchisusedtotieaboattoabollard,tree,orpostonashorelinehighabovethewater,especiallyusefulinlocksandareasofwidetidalchange.Iftheworkingendisleftlong,theknotcanbeinstantlyreleasedfromthedeck.Whenreleased,theroperemainsaroundthebollard,untilyoureleasetheworkingendandpullitallthewayoff.
Uses:quick-releaseadjustablehitchforconstantlightloads
Pros:releasesinstantlyandadjustablefarfromthefixedobject
Cons:ratherinsecure
Instructions
1.Takeaturnaroundthefixedobject.Makeanunderhandcrossingturnintheworkingendandpositionitoverthestandingpart.Makeabightintheremainingworkingendjustbelowthecrossingturn.(Thelooparoundtheobjecthasbeenmadeshortinthephotographforclarity;inpractice,makeitlongenoughsothattheknotisclosetotheboat.)
2.Placethebightover-under-overthroughthecrossingturn.Thefirsttwopartsofthatmaneuverareshownhere:overthestanding-partlegofthecrossingturnandunderthemainstandingpartoftherope.
3.Asthefinalpartoftheover-under-overmaneuver,thebightispulledovertheoppositelegofthecrossingturn.YouhavejusttiedaMarlinespikeHitch,usingthebightinplaceofthespike.
4.Inonehandholdtheworkingendagainsttheotherlegofthebightwhereitcrossestheturnaroundtheobject,andpullthestandingpartoftheropetotightentheknot.Slidetheknotalongthestandingparttotakeuporletoutslack.Pullingontheworkingendwillinstantlyreleasetheknot.
Untying:Simplypulltheworkingendandtheknotcomesapart.
77.Highwayman’sHitch
TheHighwayman’sHitchcanbeinstantlyreleasedfromapointfarfromtheobjecttowhichitistied.ButunliketheMooringHitch(opposite),whichsharesthisfeature,theHighwayman’sHitchissnuggedagainsttheobject,andwhenreleasedtheropeiscompletelyfreeoftheobjectanddoesnothavetobepulledfromaroundit,allowingaquickergetaway,beitinacanoeoronahorse.
Uses:quick-releasehitchforboatsorhorses
Pros:releasesinstantlyfarfromthefixedobject
Cons:ratherinsecure;notadjustableliketheMooringHitch
Instructions
1.Makeabightintheworkingendandpassitaroundthefixedobject,leavingtheworkingendofthebightbehindtheobject.Makeanotherbightinthestandingpart.(Theworkingendhasbeenleftshortinthephotographforclarity,butleaveitlongenoughtoreachtheboat,horse,orwhateveratthefarend.)
2.Passthesecondbightthroughthefirstonefrombacktofront.
3.Makeathirdbightintheworkingend.
4.Passitthroughthesecondbightfrombacktofront.
5.Holdingthethirdbight,pullthestandingparttotightentheknot.
Untying:Pulltheworkingendandtheknotisimmediatelyfreeofthefixedobject.
PartEight
LashingsandSpecial-purposeKnots
Campstructuresandemergencysheltersrelyonlashingstotiepolestogetherinvariousconfigurations.Suchstructuresareoftenlashedwithrelativelylightcord,andalotofcordageisneededtomakealashingthatwillbearmuchweightandretainrigidity.Theotherknotsinthissectionarespecifictoclimbers,boaters,andanyonecarryingcargoontopofavehicleoronatrailer.
78.SquareLashing
Uses:bindingpolesatrightangles
Pros:verysecure
Cons:time-consumingtotieanduntie;usesalotofcordage
79.DiagonalLashing
Uses:bindingdiagonalbraces
Pros:verysecure
Cons:time-consumingtotieanduntie;usesalotofcordage
80.SheerLashing
Uses:lashingpoleslengthwise;extendingpolelength
Pros:verystrongandsecure
Cons:time-consumingtotieanduntie;usesalotofcordage
81.PoleLashing
Uses:lashingpolesforcarrying
Pros:quickandsecure
Cons:mayrequirecuttingshortlengthsofrope
82.SlipKnotTrucker’sHitch
Uses:tyingcargoonvehicles,securingtarpsoverstackedmaterial
Pros:tight,secure,adjustable
Cons:usesalotofrope;maybedifficulttountie
83.Sheepshank
Uses:shorteningaline;bypassingawornsection,slingingaladder
Pros:strong,secureunderconstantload
Cons:insecureifsubjectedtomovement
84.CleatHitch
Uses:tyingboats;securinghalyards,sailsheets,andboatfenders
Pros:easytotieanduntie;secure
Cons:noneknown
85.PrusikKnot
Uses:moveablehandholds,tie-offs,orclip-onpointsonclimbingrope
Pros:quick,easy,fairlysecure
Cons:onlysecureunderload;canslipifwetoricy
86.KlemheistKnot
Uses:moveablehandholds,tie-offs,orclip-onpointsonclimbingrope
Pros:moresecurethanPrusikKnot
Cons:onlysecureunderload
87.ItalianHitch
Uses:climbing:belaying,braking,rappelling
Pros:flexible,multi-purposeslide-and-lockhitch
Cons:kinks;canruinropewhenrappelling
78.SquareLashing
Usethislashingtoconnectaverticalandhorizontalpoleatrightanglestoeachotherforshelters,platforms,scaffolds,andladders.Theconnectionwillbesolidandthehorizontalpolewillbearagreatdealofweight.
Instructions
1.Positionyourselfonthesideofthestructuresothattheverticalpoleisinfrontofthehorizontalone.TieaCloveHitcharoundtheverticalpole,justbeneaththehorizontalone.
2.Passtheworkingendbehindthehorizontalpoleatthe3:00position,infrontoftheverticalpoleat12:00,thenbackbehindthehorizontaloneat9:00.Whenyoupulltheropetightafterpassingitbehindthehorizontalpolethefirsttime,theclovehitchmaysliparoundthepoleasshown:thisisOK.
3.Continuewrappingtheropeinthesamecounterclockwisedirectionaroundthecrossing,goingbehindthehorizontalsandinfrontoftheverticals.Wraptheropenextto,notover,thepreviouswrap,andpullitastightaspossiblewitheachturn.Makethreefullwrapsallthewayaround.(ThestartingCloveHitchmakesitappearthattherearemorethanthreewrapsatthe6:00position.)
4.Makearoundturnbehindthehorizontalpoleatthe3:00position.
5.Workingnowinaclockwisedirection,passtheropebehindtheverticalsandinfrontofthehorizontals.Pullingtheropeverytightwitheachofthesefrappingturnswillfurthertightenthefirstsetofwraps.
6.Makethreefullfrappingturns.
7.Afterthelastfrappingturn,makeaHalfHitchbelowthewrapsontheverticalpoleat6:00.
8.PasstheropearoundtheverticalpoleonemoretimeandcompleteafinalCloveHitch.
Uses:bindingpolesatrightangles
Pros:verysecure
Cons:time-consumingtotieanduntie;usesalotofcordage
Untying:UndothefinalCloveHitch,thenunwrapallthefrappingturnsandroundturnsaroundthepoles,endingbyuntyingthefirstCloveHitch.
79.DiagonalLashing
Mostperpendicularstructuresrequirediagonalbracingtoremainsquare:withoutit,they’relikelytocollapseparallelogram-wise.Afterlashingastructure’smainhorizontalandverticalmemberswithSquareLashings,adddiagonalbracesfromcornertocorner.UseDiagonalLashingswherethediagonalscrossverticalsandhorizontals,andwherethediagonalscrosseachother.
Instructions
1.TieaTimberHitchverticallyaroundbothpoles,withbothendsfinishingupontopofthepoleclosertoyouandthelongworkingendfacingdownward.
2.Makethreeroundturnsaroundbothpolesinthesamedirection,pullingeachturnverytight.TheroundturnswillgorightovertheTimberHitch,butshouldnotoverlapeachother.
3.Taketheworkingendbehindthepolethat’sclosertoyou,workingcounterclockwise.
4.Passtheworkingendoverthefirstsetofroundturnsandhorizontallyacrossthecrossingofthepoles.
5.Makethreefulladjacentroundturnsaroundbothpolesinthesamedirection,pullingeachturnverytight.
6.Afterthethirdhorizontalroundturn,shifttheworkingenddownwardandbeginmakingfrappingturnscounterclockwisebetweenthetwopolesandoverthetwosetsofroundturns.Makethreefullfrappingturns,pullingeachoneverytight.
7.Finishthelashingwithaclovehitcharoundthebackpole.
Uses:bindingdiagonalbracestoeachotherandtohorizontalandverticalmembers
Pros:verysecure
Cons:time-consumingtotieanduntie;usesalotofcordage
Untying:UndothefinalCloveHitch,thenunwrapallthefrappingturnsandroundturnsaroundthepoles,endingbyuntyingtheTimberHitch.
80.SheerLashing
Thislashingisusedwhenyouneedashaftlongerthanyourlongestpole.Forlight-dutyuse,suchasanimprovisedfishingrod,asingleSheerLashingmaysufficetosplicetheoverlappedendsoftwothinsaplingpolestogether.Butforstructuralmemberslikeverticalsupportsonsignaltowers,flagstaffs,orridgebeams,thepolesshouldhaveconsiderableoverlapandlashingsatbothends.
Instructions
1.TieaCloveHitcharoundbothpoles,leavingaverylongworkingend.
2.Foldtheshortstandingpartbetweenthetwopoles.Taketheworkingendaroundbothpolestoholdthestandingpartinplace.
3.Makeaseriesofroundturnsaroundbothpoles,untilthewrappingistwiceaslongasthecombineddiametersofthepoles.Makethewrapssnugbutnotsotightthatyoucan’tsneaktheropebetweenthepolesforthenextstep.
4.Makeaturn(notaroundturn)aroundoneofthepolesandpasstheworkingendbetweenthem.
5.Bringtheworkingenddowntotheoppositeendofthewrapsandpullitbackbetweenthetwopoles.Pullthisfrappingturntight.
6.Makeasecondfrappingturnandpullittight.
7.TieaHalfHitcharoundthepoleoppositetheonethattookaturnbeforethefrappingturnsbegan.
8.BringtheworkingendaroundthesamepoleandcompleteaCloveHitch.
9.Completethelashingbytuckingtheworkingendbetweenthepolesonemoretime.
Uses:lashingpoleslengthwise;extendingpolelength
Pros:verystrongandsecure
Cons:time-consumingtotieanduntie;usesalotofcordage
A-frameLashingTheSheerLashingisalsothebasisforbuildingasturdyforkorA-frameforasheltergable,abuckinghorse,ateepeeframe,orsimilarstructure.Placetwoequal-lengthpolessidebysideandtieaSheerLashing,butleavethefrappingturnsandwrappingsrelativelyloose.ThebottomsofthepolescanthenbespreadoutsothatthepolesformanX,thetopangleofwhichcansupportahorizontalpole.Itcanalsobeusedasatwo-manliftingdevicetoraiseamastorabeam.
Untying:UndothefinalCloveHitch,thenunwrapthefrappingturnsandroundturnsaroundthepoles,endingbyuntyingthefirstCloveHitch.
81.PoleLashing
Thisisanexcellentknotfortyingtogetherbundlesofpolesorotherlong,narrowobjectsforcarrying,becausetheinitialbightssnugthepolestogethertightlybeforethey’resecuredwithaSquareKnot.Tiealashingateachendofabundleofcanoeorkayakpaddles,tentpoles,skisandskipoles,longsticksoffirewood,orpolesforshelters.
Instructions
1.Workingonthegroundnexttothepolesthatwillbelashed,arrangeshortlengthsofropeintotwobightsfacingoppositedirections.Itdoesn’tmatteriftheropesformSorZshapes,asshownattherightandleft.
2.Laythepolesovertheropessothatanendandabightareaccessibleoneachside.Takeoneropeendandpassitthroughthebightontheoppositesideofthepoles.
3.Taketheotherropeendandpassitthroughtheotherbight.
4.Pulltheendsfirmlydownandawayfromeachother.Thiswillshiftthebightstowardthebottomofthebundle.
5.TieaHalfKnotwiththetwoends.
6.TieanotherHalfKnotintheoppositedirectiontocompleteaSquareKnot.
7.Thecompletedlashing.
8.CompletedPoleLashingsatbothendsofthebundle.
Uses:lashingpolesforcarrying
Pros:secure
Cons:mayrequirecuttingshortlengthsofrope
Untying:UntietheSquareKnotbypullingtheworkingendsthroughthetopHalfKnot.
82.SlipKnotTrucker’sHitch
Aneffectivelashingisessentialwhentyingboatsorgeartoacar’sroofrack.Variousknotsgobythename“Trucker’sHitch,”buttheyallfollowtheprincipleofthisversion:aftertyingoffthestandingend,theworkingendgoesovertheloadthendownandaroundthesecondtie-offpoint,thenupthroughaloopknotinthestandingpartandbackdown,whereitistiedofftoitselfwithaslidinghitch.
Instructions
1.Imaginethatthestandingpartoftherope(outofthephotographtothetop)hasalreadybeentiedtoafixedpointontheoppositesideofthevehiclewithaBowline.Theropehasthenbeenthrownovertheloadandwe’reabouttotiedownonthisside.Beginwithanoverhandcrossingturn.
2.Makeabightjustbelowthecrossingturnandpassitthroughfrombacktofront.
3.PulldownonthebighttocompleteaSlippedOverhandKnot.Thisprovidespurchase—apointwheremechanicaladvantagecanbeexerted,muchlikeonapulley.
Uses:tyinggeartoroofracksortrailers;securingtarpsoverstackedmaterial
Pros:tight,secure,adjustable
Cons:usesalotofrope;slipknotmaybedifficulttountie
Untying:SlidetheTautLineHitchuptocreateslack,thenundothefinalHalfHitchtofreetheworkingendandunraveltherestofit.Pulltheworkingendthroughtheloopknot,removeitfromthesecondtie-offpoint,thenpullitsharplytoremovetheloopfromtheSlippedOverhandKnot.
4.Bringtheworkingendaroundtheattachmentpointonthenearsideofthevehicle,thenthreaditthroughthedrawloopoftheSlippedOverhandKnot.
5.Hauldownhardontheworkingend,thentieittoitselfbetweentheSlippedOverhandKnotandtheattachmentpointusingaTautLineHitch.
ABowline(shown)isagoodknottobeginthetie-downprocess.ASlipKnotTrucker’sHitchsecuresthecanoetotheroofrackcrossbarontheothersideofthecar.Similarknotcombinationsshouldbeusedonbothcrossbars,andfromthebowandsternofthecanoetothefrontandrearbumpersortowhooksonthevehicle.
BoatsandRoofRacksAthighwayspeeds,thewindcanexerthundredsofpoundsofforceagainstaboatonavehicle’sroofrack.Addinthejoltingthatislikelytooccuralongthetypicalaccessroadtotheput-in,andtheneedforareallysecuretie-downsystembecomesclear.Canoes,seakayaks,androwboatsshouldhaveaminimumofthreetie-downs:oneacrosstheboatateachendoftheroof
aminimumofthreetie-downs:oneacrosstheboatateachendoftheroofrack,andathirdfromthebowoftheboattothefrontbumper,atie-offpointunderthehood,oratowingloopbeneaththefrontofthevehicle.Afourthline,fromtheboat’ssterntoasuitablepointonthebackofthevehicle,isalsoadvisable.Allshouldbehigh-qualityropethatholdsknotssecurely(notcheapclotheslineorhollow-braidpolypropylene).Shovingagainstaproperlysecuredboatshouldrockthevehicleonitssuspensionwithoutshiftingtheboatontherack.Beware,however,ofpullingthelinessotightastodamagetheboatorthevehicle.Protectthecar’sfinishbypaddingbowandsternlineswitharagorapieceoffoampipeinsulationwheretheypressagainstthebodywork.
83.SheepshankAlsoknownas:DogShank
TheSheepshankisusefultoshortenaline.Forexample,whenlashingatarpoveraloadonatrailer,aSheepshankcanbeusedtotakeupanyexcesslengthofrope,sothatonlyasufficientlengthofworkingendhastobepulledthroughthepurchaseofaTrucker’sHitch.It’salsoagoodwaytobypassaweakorwornsectionofropeifyoudon’twanttocutitout.
Instructions
1.Makethreeunderhandcounterclockwisecrossingturns.
2.Reachthroughthebackoftheleftcrossingturnandgrabtheleftlegofthemiddlecrossingturn.
3.Reachthroughthefrontoftherightcrossingturnandgrabtherightlegofthemiddlecrossingturn.
Uses:shorteningaline;bypassingawornsection;loopknotwithtwofixedloops
Pros:verystrong;secureunderconstantload
Cons:insecureifsubjectedtomovementorirregularloading
Untying:Withloadofftherope,pullthepartoftheoriginalmiddlecrossingturnthatrunsdirectlybetweentheleftandrightcrossingturns,sothattheloopsaredrawnthroughthecrossingturns.
4.Pullingoutwardwithbothhands,pullbothlegsofthemiddlecrossingturnthroughtheleftandrightcrossingturns.
5.Continuepullingontheexpandedmiddlecrossingturnuntiltheoutercrossingturnstightendownaroundit.
6.Pullbothendsoftheropetofinishtighteningtheknot.
7.ThefinishedSheepshank.
Sheepshankrefinements:IftheSheepshankisbeingusedtobypassaweaksectionofrope,theweaksectionshouldbeatthetopofthemiddlecrossingturninStep1.Whentheknotistightened,theweaksectionwillrundirectlybetweenthetightenedcrossingturnstotherightandleftandwillnotbeapartofeitherofthem.Thesizeofthecrossingturnscanbevariedtotakeupmorelengthofrope(makethemiddlecrossingturnlarger)ortomakeapairoflargerloops(maketherightandleftcrossingturnslarger).
84.CleatHitch
Cleatsprovideconvenienttie-offpointsonboats,docks,flagpoles,truckracks,boathoists,andelsewhere.Tyingtheknotshouldbeequallyconvenient:quick,secure,andeasytountienomatterhowmuchloadisontheline.Thiscommonmethod,whichhasnorecognizedname,fillsthebillwithnoneofthesuperfluouswrapsonesooftensees.
Instructions
1.Mostcleatsaremountedatanobliqueangletothedirectionoftheline.Runthelineunderthefarhornofthecleatsothatitdoesnotpassbeneaththenearhorn.Donotrunthelineallthewayaroundthebaseofthecleat.
2.Takethelineoverthetopofthecleat,thenunderneaththenearhorninthesamedirectionthatitpassedunderthefarone.(Inotherwords:ifthelinepassesunderthefarhornfromrighttoleft,asshown,itshouldalsopassunderthenearhornfromrighttoleft.)
3.Makeanoverhandcrossingturnintheworkingend.
4.Turnthecrossingturnoversothatitbecomesanunderhandcrossingturn.Placeitoverthefarhornofthecleat.
5.Pulltheworkingendtight,completingaSingleHitch.
6.Thefinishedknotconsistsoftwounderhandcrossingturns.Theworkingendisparallelandadjacenttotheunderhandlegofthecrossingturnonthenearhorn.Theoverhandlegofthenearcrossingturnholdsdowntheworkingend.Foradditionalsecurity,anotherunderhandcrossingturnmaybeaddedtothenearhorn.Thisisespeciallyimportantifthecleatismountedverticallyandthesecondoverhandcrossingturnisaroundthebottomhornofthecleat.
Uses:tyingboatsinslipsandatdocks;securinghalyards,sheetsandfenders;flaghalyards
Pros:easytotieanduntie;secure
Cons:noneknown
Untying:PulltheworkingendthroughtheSingleHitch,thenunwrapitfromthehornsofthecleat.
85.PrusikKnot
ClimbersusethePrusikKnottocreatemoveabletie-offpointsonaverticalclimbingrope.Tiedwithaslingaroundthemainclimbingrope,itcanbeeasilyslidupordowntorepositionacarabinerorserveasahand-orfoot-hold.Theslinggraspstheclimbingropeonlywhenloadisappliedupordown.Theropeoftheslingshouldbenomorethanhalfthediameterofthemainrope.
Instructions
1.Makeabightinthesling,passitbehindthemainrope,andpasstherestoftheslingthroughthebight,formingalooseCowHitch.
2.Grabtheslingattheoppositeendfromthebightandformitintoasecondbight.
3.PassthenewbightbetweenthemainropeandthecrossingpartoftheCowHitch.
4.Pullthenewbightthroughsothattheslingmakestworoundturnsaroundthemainropebothaboveandbelowthebight.
5.Pullthebighttighttocloseuptheroundturnsaroundthemainrope.Pullingdownonthefreepartoftheslingwillcauseittogripthemainrope.Withloadoffthesling,theroundturnscanbeslidupordownthemainrope.
Uses:climbing;handholds,tie-offsorclip-onpoints;whitewaterrescue;purchaseonananchorrope
Pros:quick,easy;secureinmostsituations
Cons:onlysecureunderload;canslipifwetoricy
Untying:Withloadoff,pullthebightthroughthecrossingpart,pullitaroundtheanchoringropeorpole,thenpullitthroughasecondtime.
86.KlemheistKnot
TheKlemheistKnotisknownasa“Prusikingknot,”becauseitslidesandgripslikeaPrusik(opposite).Itworkswellwithaslingthatismadeofropeatleasthalfthediameterofthemainrope,orwithtubulartape,andissaidtobemoresecurethanaPrusikKnot.
Instructions
1.Makeabightintheslingandpassitbehindthemainrope.
2.Wrapthebightupthemainrope,makingfourorfiveroundturnsandleavingashortloop.
3.Makeabightintheotherendoftheslingandpassitthroughthebottomoftheloop.
4.Pulldownonthesecondbighttolocktheslingontothemainrope.Theknotcanbeeasilyslidupordownthemainropewhenitisunloaded.
Uses:climbing;moveablehandholdsorclip-onpointsonclimbingrope
Pros:moresecurethanPrusikKnot
Cons:noneknown
Untying:Pullthesecondbightoutofthefirstbight,thenpulltounwindtheslingfromthemainrope.
87.ItalianHitchAlsoknownas:SlidingRingHitch,MunterFrictionHitch
Thisknotpaysoutslackinacontrolledmannerthroughacarabinertotheloadedleg,andreadilylocksupwhentensionisappliedtotheotherend.It’susefulasasafetyropefordescending,wheretheclimberhimselforanassistantcancontrolthebrakingendoftheline.Itcanbeusedforrappelling,butit’sveryhardonropeandshouldonlybeusedinapinch.Itcanalsobeusedtolowerheavyloadswhereapulleyisnotavailable.
Instructions
1.Maketwocrossingturnsinthebightoftherope,withanunderhandcrossontheleftandanoverhandcrossontheright.
2.Foldthecrossingturnsbacktoback.
3.Oncetheyarefoldedtogether,theleftcrossingturnbecomesabight.
4.Keepingthemsidebyside,placethebight,thentheremainingcrossingturn,onthecarabiner.
5.Bothendspulledtight.Thelegofthecrossingturnbearstheload;thelegofthebightisthebrakingorcontrolleg.Pullingthebrakinglegtightensthecrossingturnaroundtheloadedlegandpreventsitfromfeedingoutslack.
Uses:climbing:belaying,braking,rappelling
Pros:flexible,multi-purposeslide-and-lockhitch
Cons:kinks;canruinropeifitrunstoofast
PartNine
WhippingandSeizing
Therearemanywaystopreventtheendofaropefromunraveling(seePreventingFraying),butwhippingisbyfarthemosteffective.Whippinginvolvesbindingtherope’sstrandsoryarnswithatightwrappingofheavythreadorlighttwine.Thisseeminglyimposingtaskisactuallyquiteeasy,andafterdoingitonceortwice,you’llfinditsecondnature.Seizingisasimilarproceduretopermanentlyjointwolengthsofropeorsectionsofthesamerope.Aseizedeyeintheendofaropeisstronger,moresecure,andmorecompactthananyloopknot.
CommonWhipping
Uses:preventfraying;markpositionsonrope
Pros:easy,quick,andeffective
Cons:whippingwillunravelifthethreadbreaks
FrenchWhipping
Uses:preventfraying;markpositionsonrope;asservicetopreventabrasion
Pros:resistsunravelingifcut
Cons:moretime-consumingthanCommonWhipping
FlatSeizing
Uses:eyes;joiningropesforlengthordoubling;fasteningropetoashaft
Pros:stronger,moresecure,useslessrope,andlessbulkythanknots
Cons:moredifficultandtime-consumingthanknots;cannotbeuntied
MaterialsandGeneralMethods
Fewtoolsandmaterialsarerequiredforthewhippingsandseizingthatfollow.Here’swhatyou’llneed:
WhippingThreadAlsoknownaswhippingtwine,thisheavythreadissoldbyboatchandlersandriggingsupplyvendors.Itiswaxed,whichhelpsitstayinpositionwhileyou’rewindingitaroundtherope.Forneedle-and-threadwhippingmethods,thewaxalsohelpsitpasssmoothlythroughtherope’sfibers.
Traditionally(orasfarbackassyntheticropesgo),oneusednaturalfibertwinefornaturalfiberrope,andsynthetictwineforsyntheticrope.Nowadays,mostofthethreadthatissoldforwhippingisnylon,anditworkswellforropesofeithernaturalorsyntheticfiber.Itisimmenselystrongforitsdiametersoitcanbepulledverytight.Nylonalsostretches,andifitispulledtightaroundtheropewhilewhipping,itwillgriptenaciously.
Ifproperwhippingthreadisnotavailable,carpetthreadorotherveryheavysyntheticthreadswilldo.Thesesubstitutes,however,willnotbewaxed,andevenforthenon-needlewhippingmethodsshownhere,itishelpfultowaxthethreadfirstbydrawingitacrossablockofbeeswaxorcanningwax.
SeizingTwineWhippingthreadisoftenusedforseizing,buttarredmarline,whichisheavier,isrecommended.Seizingsaresubjectedtogreaterstressthanwhipping,andwhenpulledtightenoughforaseizing,narrowerthreadmightbiteintoandcutsomeoftherope’sfibers.Marlineisexpensiveandhardtocomeby,butbraidednylonmason’stwineisagoodalternative.Availableatanybuilder’ssupplystore,itisverystrongandquiteinexpensive.Makesureyougetthebraidedstuff,nottwisted.
KnifeAnytypewilldo,aslongasit’ssharpandstraight-bladed,notserrated.
Marlinespike
MarlinespikeWhippingsandseizingsmustbepulledsotightthatyoucan’tdoitbare-handed;thetwinewillbiteyou!BytyingaMarlinespikeHitcharoundapropermarlinespike,screwdriver,icepick,orsimilarobject,youcanexertallthetensionyouneed.
Electrician’sTapeTapeworksbetterthancordagefortemporarilyholdingthestrandstogetherwhileyouwhiptheend.It’seasiertowrapthewhippingrightuptotheedgeofthetape.Maskingorpainter’stapewillworkinapinch,butneithercanbestretchedtightlikeplasticelectrician’stape.
CuttingBoardYou’llwantsomethingtocutthewhippedendagainst.Ascrapofplywoodordimensionallumberwilldothejob.
CommonWhippingAlsoknownas:PlainWhipping,OrdinaryWhipping
Thisistheeasiestwhippingtoapply,anditisreliableinmostapplications.Itsdrawbackisthatifasinglewrapofthethreadiswornthroughorcut,theentirewhippingwillunravel.
Uses:whippingtheendofaropetopreventfraying;markingpositionsonaline
Pros:easy,quick,andeffective
Cons:ifthethreadiscutanywhere,theentirewhippingwillunravel
Instructions
1.Applyelectricaltapearoundtheropejustabovewhereyouintendtowhipit.Iftheropeisalreadyfrayed,applythetapeonapartthatisstillintact.Cutthroughthetapetoremovethefrayedendorexcess
lengthofrope.
2.Makeabightneartheworkingendofthewhippingthread.Thiswhippingwillbeeasierifyoupaythethreaddirectlyfromthespool,asshown,ratherthancuttingoffthelengthyouwillneed.
3.Laythebightinthethreadagainsttherope,withthebightoverlappingthetape.Thebottomofthebightshouldbeonetotwotimestherope’sdiameterbackfromthetape,andyoushouldleaveafewinchesofworkingendbeyondthat—enoughtopullonlater.(Leavealittlemorethanisshowninthephoto.)Wrapthethreaddirectlyfromthespoolaroundtheworkingendofthebight,makingaSingleHitcharoundtheropeinthesamedirectionasthelayoftherope.
4.Takearoundturnaroundtheropeandthebight,layingitrightagainsttheSingleHitch.Takeasecondroundturn,layingitagainstthefirst,workingtowardtheendoftherope.Holdingthespool,pullthethreadreallytight.
5.Continuemakingroundturns,pullingthethreadtightandlayingeachonerightagainstthepreviousturn.Stopwhenthewrapscoveralengthofropethatisbetweenoneandtwotimesitsdiameter.Theendofthebightshouldstillbevisible,andthereshouldbeenoughropeexposedbetweenthewrapsandthetapetocutthroughsafely.
6.Holdingthewrapstightagainsttherope,cutthethreadfromthespool,leavinganendlongerthanthewhipping.
7.Passthenewlycutendallthewaythroughthebight.
8.TieaMarlinespikeHitcharoundaspikeintheworkingendofthebightatthebottomofthewhipping.Pullonthatend,tobringtheeyeofthebightunderthewraps.Itwillpulltheoppositeendofthethread
alongwithit.Stoppullingwhenthebightiswellburiedunderthewraps.Trimtheendsatthetopandbottomofthewhipping.
9.Cuttheropebetweenthewhippingandthetape.
Untying:cannotbeuntied;mustbecut.
FrenchWhipping
FrenchWhippingisalittlemoredifficulttotiethanCommonWhipping,butitismoresecure,becauseeachwrapistiedasaHalfHitch.Shouldanysinglewrapbewornthroughorcut,therestofthewhippingwillremainintact.HalfHitchescannotbetiedreadilyfromthespool,sothewhippingthreadmustbecutfirst,allowingagoodlylengthforpullingandtyingthefinalknotstight.
Uses:whippingtheendofaropetopreventfraying;markinglengthsonaline;service
Pros:resistsunravelingifcut
Cons:moretime-consumingthanCommonWhipping
Instructions
1.Allowingonetotwotimestherope’sdiameterforthewhipping,tieaHalfKnotaroundtheropewithbothendsofthewhippingthreadfacingtherope’send.Ifyouarewhippinglaidrope,thelongworkingendofthethreadshouldfacethesamedirectionasthetwisttowardtheend.
2.Aligntheshortstandingpartofthethreadtowardtherope’send.
3.TieaHalfHitchintheworkingendofthethreadadjacenttotheHalfKnot,capturingtheshortendagainsttherope.
4.PullthefirstHalfHitchtightupagainsttheHalfKnot.Trimtheshortendofthethreadsothatitisalittleshorterthantheintendedlengthofthewhipping.
5.ContinuetyingHalfHitches,pullingeachoneverytightrightupagainstthepreviousoneandcontinuingtoburythethread’sshortendagainsttherope.
6.Whenthewrapscoveralengthofropeatleastequaltoitsdiameter(1.5timesthediameterisbetter),tieadoubledHalfHitchbymakingtwowrapsaroundtheropebeforepassingtheendthroughboth.Pulltheknottight.MakeaseconddoubledHalfHitchandpullittight.
7.Trimthelongendofthethread,trimtheshortendifanyremainsexposed,thencuttheropebetweenthewhippingandthetape.
8.ThestackedHalfHitchesconferaspiralpatterntothefinishedFrenchWhipping.
Untying:cannotbeuntied;mustbecut.
ServingaRopeWrappingtwinearoundaropetoprotectitfromabrasionisknownasservingit,andtheresultingropeworkiseitheraservingorservice.Serviceislikewhipping,butmuchlonger.Servicewasusedextensivelyonthestandingriggingofsailingshipstopreventabrasionfromotherpiecesofstandingorrunningrigging.AFrenchWhippingseveralinchesinlengthmakesaneffectiveservicecalledaGrapevineService.Inapplicationswhereitwon’tbeflexed,itcanbepaintedtoenhanceitsdurability.
FlatSeizing
Aflatseizingisanextremelyeffectivewaytomakealoopintheendofarope,tojointworopestogethertoextendtheirlength,todoubleropesforstrength,ortofastenaropeinlinewithashaftorpole.Theseizingisextremelysecure,useslessropethanaknot,andislessbulkyandapttocatchonobstructions.
Uses:formingeyes;joiningtworopesforlengthorthickness;fasteningropetoashaft
Pros:comparedtoknots:stronger,moresecure,useslessrope,lessbulky
Cons:comparedtoknots:moredifficult,time-consuming,cannotbeuntied,requirestwine
Instructions
1.Leavingthetwineonthespool,tieaConstrictorKnotaroundthetwopiecesofropetobejoinedorbothlegsofabight(asshown).PositiontheConstrictorKnotsoastoallowthelengthofthecompletedseizingtobetwicethatofthediameteroftherope.
2.Aligntheshortendofthetwinebetweenthelegsofthebight.Usingthespooltopullthetwine,beginwrappingroundturnsaroundbothlegsoftheropeandtheshortendofthetwine.
3.Placeeachroundturnrightupagainstthepreviousone,andpulleachoneastightaspossible.
4.Trimtheshortendofthetwinesothatitwillbecompletelycoveredbytheseizing.Keepwrappinguntiltheseizingistwiceaslongastherope’sdiameter.
5.Makeafinalturnthroughonelegofthebight,thenpullthetwinedownoverthewrappings.
6.Bringtheendbetweenthelegsofthebightandpullituptightontheotherside.Pulltheendthroughtheeye,completingthefirstfrappingturn.Thengoaroundagaintomakeanotherfrappingturn.
7.Bringthetwinethroughtheeyetocompletethesecondfrappingturn.Passtheendunderthefirstfrappingturn.Apointedtoolcanbeusedtoliftthistightfrappingturnslightlysothattheendcanbepassedthrough.
8Completearoundturnaroundthefirstfrappingturn,thenpassthetwineunderbothfrappingturns.
9.Bringtheendofthetwinethroughtheeyeandpullittighttobringthefinalknotbetweenthelegsofthebightatthebaseoftheeye.Trimtheendclose.
10.Thefinishedseizing.Asecondseizingshouldbeaddedtosecurethebitterendtothestandingpartasshownbelow.
NoteThemetalthimbleshowninthebightwillpreventabrasioniftheeyewillholdashackleorbearagainstaclevispin,butitisnotnecessaryinmanyapplications.
applications.
Untying:cannotbeuntied;mustbecut.
Glossary
aramid:asyntheticropefiberoftensoldunderthetradenameKevlar®
bend:aknotwhichtiestheendsoftworopestogether
bight:1.asmall-radiuscurveinaropeinwhichtheworkingandstandingpartsarebroughtneartoorincontactwithoneanother;2.onthebight:describingaknottiedinanypartofaropeotherthantheendsbindingknot:atrueknotthattightlyenclosesorbindstogetheranotherobjectorobjectsbitterend:thelastinchortwoofarope’send
bosun’schair:asling,smallsuspendedplatform,orseatusedtoraiseapersonupaboat’sorship’smastbreakingstrength:thetensileloadatwhicharopewillbreakunderlaboratoryconditionsbungee,bungeecord:shockcord;cordorropewithahighlyelasticcoreandbraidedfabriccover,oftensoldinshort,fixedlengthswithhooksatbothendscable:veryheavycordagemadeupofthreetwistedhawsers(definition2)capsize,capsized:aknotthathasdeformedintoadifferentstructurewhentightenedchafinggear:anymaterialusedtoreduceabrasiontoarope
cleat:apieceofhardwarewithtwohorn-likeextensionstowhichropesarehitchedclockwise,counterclockwise:describingthedirectionofacrossingturnfromthestandingparttotheworkingendcoil:1.anarrangementthatpreventsropefromtanglingduringstorageortransportation;2.asingleloopofropeinacoilcoir:anaturalropefiberfromcoconutshells
core:thecentral,strengthelementofaropewithtwo-layerconstruction
crossingturn:acurveinwhichtheropecrossesoveritself
drawloop:abightplacedintheworkingendofaropejustbeforethefinalstageoftyingaknot,tomakeiteasytountie.Seeslipped
dynamicuse:ropeusageinwhichtheloadwillchange
elbow:inadoublecrossingturn,oneoftwosectionsofropebetweenthecrossingturnatthetop,andtheworkingendandstandingpartatthebottomeye:asmallclosedloopinarope’send(oronabight)formedbyseizingorsplicingfair/fairing:tosmoothorrefineamisshapenknot
fiber:thesmallestcomponent,eithernaturalorsynthetic,fromwhichcordageismadefid:atapered,pointedtoolusedtoloosenknots
foundationknots:anad-hoccategoryinthisbookthatintroducesbasicknotsandconceptsfrappingturn:inalashingorseizing,turnsofthelineoverandatarightangletopreviousroundturnsorwrappings,totightenthemguillotine:astationaryelectrichot-knifeforcuttingrope
halyard:alineusedtoraiseasailoraflag
hawser:1.aheavyline,oftenacable,fortowing,anchoring,ortyingupaship;2.occasionally:anyrope,especiallyoneofthreetwistedintoacableheavingline:aropemeanttobethrown
heavinglineknot:astopperknottiedtoaddweighttotheendofaheavingline.Also:thenameofaspecificheavinglineknot.
hemp:anaturalropefiberfromthehempplant(Cannabissativa)
henequen:anaturalropefiberfromthehenequenagave(Agavefourcroydes)high-moduluspolyethylene:asyntheticropefiberoftensoldunderthetradenamesSpectra®andDyneema®
hitch:aknottiedtoanobject,usuallyusedtoconnecttwoobjectstogetherwithalengthofropebetweenthemjute:anaturalropefiberfromplantsofthegenusCorchorus
kernmantle:two-layerropeconstruction,withabraidedcoverandaload-bearingcorelaid:twisted,describingamethodofropeconstruction
lash,lashing:ropeworkthattiestwoormorepolestightlytogether,usuallyincorporatingnumerousroundandfrappingturnsline:ageneraltermforaropewhenitisinuse
loopknot:atrueknotthatformsaclosedloopthatcanbeplacedaroundanobjectloop:1.acurveinaropeofalargerradiusthanabightthatenclosesmoreareathanabight;2.Thepartofaloopknotorhitchthatgoesaroundanobjectmanila:anaturalropefiberfromtheabacaplant(Musatextillis);ropeofthatfibermantle:thebraidedcoverofaropewithtwo-layerconstruction
middle:tofindthemid-pointofaropebyfoldingitinhalf
monofilament:1.cordageoracordagecomponentmadefromasingle,relativelythickfiberofsyntheticmaterial;2.monofilamentfishinglinenoose:aloopknotinwhichthesizeoftheloopcanbeadjustedaftertheknotistiednylon:asyntheticropefiber,analiphaticpolyamide
overhand:acrossingturninwhichtheworkingendisoverthestandingpartpalm,sailmaker’spalm:aleatherstrapwithametalinsert,wornonthehandtopushneedlesthroughropeorcanvasparachutecord(also:paracord,550cord):small-diametertwo-layersyntheticcordagewithabraidedcover,originallydevelopedforuseforparachutesuspension,nowacommonutilitycordagepolyester:asyntheticropefiberoftensoldunderthetradenameDacron®
polyethylene:asyntheticropefiber
polypropylene:asyntheticropefiber
purchase:afixedlooptiedonabightandusedlikeapulley,toreversethedirectionoftheworkingend’spullandincreaseforcewhentighteningalinerode:ananchorline
rope:cordageofroughly3/8in.(9mm)orgreaterindiameterroundturn:arevolutionofropeof360to540degreesaroundanobject
runningend:seeworkingend
seize,seizing:atightwrappingofheavythreadorsmallcordtojointworopesend-to-endorside-by-side,ortoformaneyeservice,serving:wrappingofsmallstuffaroundasectionofropetopreventabrasionsheath:seemantle
sheet:alineusedtocontrolthesetofasail
shockload:asuddenapplicationofforcetoarope
shroud:afixedlinethatsupportsaship’sorboat’smasttransversely
sisal:anaturalropefiberfromthesisalplant(Agavesisalana)
S-laid:clockwisetwistinthestrandsofalaidrope,whenviewedfromanend.SeeZ-laid
sling:afixed,closedloopofrope,webbing,ortubulartape
slipped:aknottiedwithadrawlooptoeaseuntying.Seedrawloop
splice:astructureinwhichthestrandsofaropeareseparatedandthenwoventogetherto:terminatearope;formaneye;orjoinropesend-to-endstandingend,standingpart:theendoftheropethatisnotfullysubjecttomanipulationinknottyingstaticuse:ropeusageinwhichtheloadforceanddirectionwillnotchangestay:alinethatsupportsaship’sorboat’smastlongitudinally
stop/stopping:smallcordstiedaroundacoilofropetosecureit
stopper:aknotusedtopreventalinefrompassingthroughasmallopeningstopperknot:atrueknotthatpreventsaropeendescapingthroughasmallopening,allowsittobethrown,orservesasahand-hold.Also:thenameofaspecificstopperknotstrand:1.acomponentincordagemadefromtwistedyarns.Laidropesconsistofstrandstwistedtogether;2.onesideofacrossingturnorotherknotcomponent;legthreaded:describingtwoknotstiedinparalleltomakeasingleknot,withthesecondropeorpartfollowingthepathofthefirstropeorparttoggle:ashortcylinderofanymaterialusedtoholdpartofaknotinplacetoprope:aropeattachedtoafixedpointtoassistclimbersbelowit
trueknot:aclassofknotsinwhicharopeistiedtoitself.Trueknotsincludebinding,stopper,andloopknots.
turn:ahalf-revolutionofropearoundanobject
underhand:acrossingturninwhichtheworkingendisunderthestandingpartwhip,whipping:1.atightwrappingofheavythreadaroundarope’send,topreventitfromfraying;2.anymaterialsoapplied,suchastapeworkingend,workingpart:thefreeendofaropethatissubjecttomanipulationintyinga
knotworkingload:themaximumtensileloadconsideredsafebyarope’smanufacturerwrap:oneofseveraladjacentroundturns
yarn:acomponentincordagemadefromtwistedfibers;oftenaboutthediameterofsewingthreadZ-laid:counterclockwisetwistinthestrandsofalaidrope,whenviewedfromanend.SeeS-laid
Resources
Books
Ashley,CliffordW.,TheAshleyBookofKnots,Doubleday,1944
Budworth,Geoffrey,TheIllustratedEncyclopediaofKnots,LyonsPress,2000
Budworth,Geoffrey,TheUltimateEncyclopediaofKnots&Ropework,LorenzBooks,1999
Day,CyrusL.,Knots&Splices,InternationalMarine,1953
Owen,Peter,L.L.BeanOutdoorKnotsHandbook,LyonsPress,1999
Pawson,Des,TheHandbookofKnots:AStep-By-StepGuidetoTyingandUsingMoreThan100Knots,DKPublishing,1998
Philpott,Lindsey,PocketGuidetoKnots,InternationalMarine,2006
Smith,HerveyGarrett,TheMarlinspikeSailor,JohndeGraff,1971
Spencer,CharlesL.,andP.W.Blandford(reviser),Knots,Splices&FancyWork,Brown,Son&Ferguson,1958
Taylor,RogerC.,KnowingtheRopes:Selecting,Rigging,&HandlingLinesAboard,2ndedition,InternationalMarine,1993
Websites
AnimatedKnotsbyGrog:www.animatedknots.com
Backcountry.com,page“WhentoReplaceYourClimbingRope”:www.backcountry.com/explore/when-to-replace-your-climbing-rope/
Knots3D:http://knots3d.com
NetKnots.com:www.netknots.com
RopersKnotsPage:www.realknots.com
Ropework:www.ropebook.com
ScoutPioneering:Good,Ol’-Fashioned,Outdoor,ScoutingFunforthe21stCentury,page“Knot-TyingTerminology”:http://scoutpioneering.com/2013/02/11/knot-tying-terminology/
Index
AAlpineButterfly114–115AlpineCoil38–39AnchorBend147–148Angler’sLoop24,98–99Ashley’sBend132
Bbends21,116–137bights18bindingknots20,74–85bitterends18BloodKnot136–137boats171Bowline100BowlineonaBight110–111BowlinewithStopper101BowlinewithTwoTurns105BuntlineHitch146ButterflyCoil43–45buyingrope25–26
Ccables16careofrope33–36CarrickBend127chafe,preventing36characteristicsofknots11CleatHitch174–175clockwisedirection19CloveHitch149
CloveHitchonaBight150coilingforstorage37–45coils22coirrope30CommonWhipping181–182ConstrictorKnot151constructionofrope27cottonrope29counterclockwisedirection19CowHitch154–155CowHitchwithaToggle157crossingturns18,19cuttingrope34
DDiagonalLashing164–165DirectionalFigure8Loop94DoubleFigure8Bend126DoubleFisherman’sKnot134–135DoubleOverhandKnot51–52DoubleOverhandLoop90DoubleOverhandSlidingLoop96–97DoubleSheetBend121DutchBowline104
Eelbows18EskimoBowline108–109estimatinglength26
Ffibers16Figure8Knot60–61Figure8Loop91finishingknots23Fireman’sCoil40
Fisherman’sKnot133Fisherman’sLoop95FlatSeizing185–186FlemishBend124–125foundationknots20,46–57fraying,preventing34–36FrenchWhipping183–184
Gglossary187–188GrannyKnot78guidelinesfortying12
HHalfHitch56HalfKnot55HeavingLineKnot69–70hemprope29high-techfibers32Highwayman’sHitch159hitches21,138–159hawsers16Hunter’sBend130–131
IItalianHitch178
Jjuterope30
KKlemheistKnot177knottypes20–22
Llashings21,160–169length,estimating26
lines16loopknots21,86–115loops18,19
Mmanilarope29MarlinespikeHitch141materials27–32Miller’sKnot83Monkey’sFist71–73MooringHitch158
Nnaturalfiberrope27,28–30nylonrope31
OOne-handedBowline102–103OverhandKnot48OverhandLoop53overhands19
PPacker’sKnot84–85PedigreeCowHitch156PoleLashing168–169polyesterrope32polyethylenerope32polypropylenerope31PortugueseBowline107PrusikKnot176
Rresources189RollingHitch152roofracks171rope16,25–27,33–36
RoundTurnandTwoHalfHitches142–143roundturns19runningends17
Ssafety13–15seizing22,179,180,185–186Sheepshank172–173SheerLashing166–167SheetBend120SingleHitch54SinkStopperKnot65–66sisalrope29SlipKnotTrucker’sHitch170–171SlippedFigure8Knot62SlippedHalfHitch57SlippedOverhandKnot49–50SlippedSquareKnot77SpanishBowline112–113special-purposeknots170–178splices22SquareKnot24,76SquareLashing162–163standingends17standingparts17StevedoreKnot67–68StopperKnot63–64stopperknots20,58–73storage37–45strands16StrangleKnot82Surgeon’sKnot80Surgeon’sKnotwithSecondTuck81syntheticfiberrope27,31–32
T
TautLineHitch144–145terminology16–19testingknots15ThiefKnot79ThreadedFigure8Loop92–93Three-waySheetBend123TimberHitch153trueknots58TuckedSheetBend122turns19tyingguidelines12types20–22
Uuncoilingrope26underhands19untyingknots24
Wwashingrope34WaterBowline106WaterKnot119websites189whipping22,179–184workingends17workingloads13,14workingparts17WrappedandReef-knottedCoil41–42
Yyarns16
ZZeppelinBend128–129
Credits
BobHoltzmanisanoutdoorsman,writer,editor,andsportinggoodsmanufacturer.Anavidcanoeist,heistheauthorofTheCampingBibleandWildernessSurvivalSkills:HowtoStayAliveintheWildWithJustaBlade&YourWits,aswellastheBoats&Shipsseriesofbooksforchildren.HelivesinRockport,Maine,whereherunsMythicGear(www.MythicDrysuits.com),manufacturinginexpensivedrysuitsforpaddlesports.
FeatherWeightisafullservicephotographystudiobasedinMainespecializinginlifestyle,product,andportraitwork.www.feather-weight.com
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THEFIELDGUIDETOKNOTS:HowtoIdentify,Tie,andUntieOver80EssentialKnotsforOutdoorPursuits
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pagescmIncludesindex.ISBN978-1-61519-276-2(hardcover)--ISBN978-1-61519277-9(ebook)1.Knotsandsplices--Handbooks,manuals,etc.I.Title.VM533.H642015623.88’82--dc23
2015019181
Conceived,designed,andproducedby,QuidPublishing,PartoftheQuartoGroup,Level4SheridanHouse,114WesternRoad,HoveBN31DD-www.quidpublishing.comDesignbyRehabKnotsonfrontcoverare,clockwisefromleft:FlemishBend,SheetBend,Figure8Knot,CarrickBend,andBowline.Knotsonbackcoverare,fromtopdown:CleatHitch,SlippedHalfHitch,AlpineCoil,MooringHitch.
Maincoverimage©BobHoltzman;icons©Shutterstock;backcoverimages©FeatherWeightDistributedbyWorkmanPublishingCompany,Inc.DistributedsimultaneouslyinCanadabyThomasAllen&SonLtd.
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