![]() ![]() The bowline is a must-know for anyone working with rope in the woods. Even in cases where I want a closing or slip loop, I’ll start with a bowline and then pass the rope through the loop to create a noose structure. There are plenty of situations where you might want to start with a secure loop in the rope that doesn’t slip. Tie the first half hitch, then cross the end of the rope on itself again and pass it through. Therefore, the two half hitch knot is literally tying two half hitches. The problem with a half hitch is that as tension is applied to the load, the end of the loop can slip through itself. Wrap the end of a rope around an object, cross that working end on itself, and pass it through the loop created (think about the first thing you do when tying your shoes). It is also referred to as an overhand knot. I’ll get into a couple other kinds of knots below but if you’re tying the end of a rope to a tree to secure a bear hang, tying a boat to a dock, or pulling your gun or bow up into your tree stand, you’re using a hitch of some kind to tie the end of the rope.Ī single half hitch is one of the most basic types of knots. It makes for a great temporary knot that tightens on itself.Ī hitch is basically a knot used to tie a rope to an object. The two half hitch can be tied in a matter of seconds and is easy to untie. This list is not in any really particular order, but I’m starting with the one that is probably the most simple and will find use in the widest variety of situations. ![]() Here are five knots you should know that will get you by most situations. For each of the knots below, I’ll go through the base form and you can look up its variants for more specialized situations. Most knots have a number of variations depending on the type of rope you’re using, the load you need to secure, and some advanced situations such as creating a knot in the middle of a rope rather than having access to one of the loose ends. For most of us, knowing a few different kinds of knots and which situations they can be adapted to is a good place to start. There are hundreds of knots out there suited to particular activities and you can spent hours learning them all. Bights are often used to create quick-release or slip knots where you only need to pull the end of the rope for the knot to untie (when you tie your shoelaces, you basically create two bights that you tighten down). A bightrefers to a loop of rope, rather than the end of the rope. ![]() A turn is a loop made by crossing the rope over itself. The other side of the rope, that might be tied to the load, is the standing end. The working, tail, or running end refers to the piece of the rope that you use to tie the knot. Whether you are pulling a bear hang up to keep your food safe overnight, tying a canoe to a car, hanging a tarp in a downpour, or just doing general tasks around the house or camp, it’s important to understand the purposes of different knots and which are most useful for the situation.Īs a quick note on terminology, when tying knots, you can think of having one piece of rope in each hand. He emphasized the importance of ensuring your rope was neat and tidy, knots were secure, and you know where the end of your rope was so you could work with it when needed. My grandfather spent years sailing by himself on a 22-foot sailboat and that guy knew his way around rope. On week long back country canoe trips, day hunts from a tree stand, or actual sketchy situations, knowing how to work with rope to secure loads and tie off gear is key for any outdoors person. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |