The Timber Hitch is for hauling large logs (or anything that shape), often many times the diameter of the line used. It will not jam, will not slip and will always come apart easily once unloaded. The Timber Hitch is effectively a much improved, much stronger version of the same concept as the half hitch. …
The Reef knot (also called the Square Knot or Double Knot) is easy to remember and probably the widest taught and widest used knot as a bend. It is also not a bend, and should never be used as such. Clifford Ashley (author of the Ashley Book of Knots) wrote: “The REEF KNOT is probably …
This is a quicker-to-tie version of the standard trucker’s hitch, which affords a mechanical advantage for pulling a load (like a pulley or a winch might). It’s really useful for things like tent guylines or cinching down lashings (like for bundles of kit on the back of a truck) really tight. Step 1. First attach …
Quick Trucker’s Hitch Knot – Step by Step How to Tie It Read More »
The Poldo Tackle is a mechanical advantage system made of rope, specifically for drawing two objects together. In practice, only one object has to actually move, as this is enough for the two to get closer: a load drawn up towards the ceiling, the sides of a backpack being compressed or keeping the stopper in …
The Directional Figure of Eight is a directional loop, meaning that the loop lies naturally along the axis of the rope it is tied in (unlike for example the Alpine Butterfly, which stands perpendicular to the rope). So this knot should be used when the load on the loop is in roughly the same direction …
Directional Figure of Eight Knot: Step by Step How to Tie It Read More »
The Barrel Hitch is a knot for lifting a bucket, barrel or similar container straight up, as for moving equipment in. You are unlikely to need it often, but will be very glad of it when you do. This knot was often used by sailors for hoisting barrels or buckets of liquid aboard. It’s virtue …
This is the ultimate gripping hitch, especially made for tying one line to another or to pole or post when the pull is the direction of the first line. It would be the perfect gripping hitch but for it’s complexity: it is very difficult to learn and remember how to tie. This is probably not …
The trucker’s hitch (or power cinch, rope tackle, hay knot, harvester’s knot, dolly knot, there are many names) is the unchallenged king of tension knots. It is a compound knot (an arrangement of rope made of multiple different knots) which has the unusual feature of providing mechanical advantage, like a simple pulley system, for pulling …
Survival can easily depend on the strength of a knot. A climber, a sailor, a diver with a lifeline, all live and die by their knots. Here is a list of the most useful knots, and some more advanced stuff which will come in handy as you progress through your survival training, and making your …
The monkey fist is a neat little device that originated several hundred years ago on sailing vessels. Often referred to as a sailor’s knot, it started life as a halyard line tied around a cannon ball to toss the mooring line to a dockhand. Another use on ships was as a lifeline to be thrown …
