the field guide to knots: how to identify, tie, and untie over 80 essential knots for outdoor

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

Otherimagecredits:p.8©ueuephoto(Shutterstock);p.9©Pavelk(Shutterstock);p.10©aragami12345s(Shutterstock);p.30©defotoberg(Shutterstock);p.31©sharky(Shutterstock);p.33©CsehakSzabolcs(Shutterstock)QuidPublishingwouldliketothankLindseyPhilpottattheInternationalGuildofKnotTyers(www.igkt.net)andGlenNashattheAustralianSchoolofMountaineering(www.climbingadventures.com.au)fortheirassistance.

THEFIELDGUIDETOKNOTS:HowtoIdentify,Tie,andUntieOver80EssentialKnotsforOutdoorPursuits

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LibraryofCongressCataloging-in-PublicationDataHoltzman,Bob.Thefieldguidetoknots:howtoidentify,tie,anduntieover80essentialknotsforoutdoorpursuits/BobHoltzman.

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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