Knots for Survival

The Fisherman’s or Grapevine Bend is essentially just two hitches: one from the first line onto the second, and another from the second line onto the first. This makes it a strong, reliable knot, and fairly good for lines of different thicknesses. Especially in modern ropes it can have a tendency to jam shut and […]

The Icicle Hitch is an excellent knot for securing a line to a rod, post or another line when the direction of pull will be roughly in line with the length of the rod. It is so secure it can even be tied onto a tapered post like a marlinspike, hence the name ‘icicle’ hitch

To know the knot is to constantly find uses for it… Brion Toss, Master Rigger This is one of the most effective binding knots. It is constructed as a ‘half knot’ underneath a turn (called a ‘riding’ turn, because it ‘rides’ over the rest of the knot). As a friction binding knot it can be

This is a very similar method to other ways of tying the bowline but is very fast and controlled, if the anchor point is behind you, and you want the knot in front (e.g. if you have taken a line from and truck and walked to a load you wish to tow) the method is

The alpine butterfly is mostly used by climbers. It can be tied without using the ends and produces a loop which stands perpendicular to the rest of the rope. The Alpine Butterfly should be used when the direction of the load on the loop is close to perpendicular to the rope (or is not likely

This is the method of tying a bowline taught to cavers and search and rescue personnel, for tying a bowline around oneself with only one hand (leaving the other free to help a casualty or stay in place) when thrown a rescue line. Done in this way, it relies on the weight of the body

The Boom Hitch is essentially an extended, more complex relative of the Clove Hitch. It is something of a chore to learn, but worth it. It will hold fast and not slip under tension from any direction, even when tied in thick, slippery line. This makes it good for securing a line to a beam