| Knots are handy things. For many people, knots play a | | | | Trucker's Hitch |
| crucial role in their work or recreation. They may even | | | | This knot is so named because it is used to cinch |
| save a life! For connecting, lifting, securing or towing, | | | | down a load (usually on trucks or trailers). While the |
| you will need to learn the names of different knots, | | | | knot itself is complicated compared to other knots, it |
| and when to use them. | | | | produces unusual strength and tension. The overall |
| Bowline | | | | mechanical advantage produced by this knot is a 3 to |
| The bowline was originally used in a marine setting (as | | | | 1 ratio. |
| are many knots), but has proved itself useful in a wide | | | | Mooring Hitch |
| range of situations. The qualities of this knot are its | | | | Typically, this knot is used to tie a boat down to a |
| simplicity, strength and resistance to jamming. Because | | | | stationary point. This technique is called "mooring." The |
| of the intentionally open loop in the completed knot, the | | | | mooring hitch should be used temporarily. It can remain |
| bowline can be slung over a post or other object after | | | | taught under tension, but can also be quickly released |
| it has been tied. This knot can also be tied after the | | | | with a tug on the free end. |
| rope has been passed through a ring. You should be | | | | Double Fisherman's |
| cautious as the knot can become undone if it is | | | | One of the most secure ways to connect two pieces |
| shaken or jostled. | | | | of rope is with the fisherman's knot. For crucial |
| Square Knot | | | | situations such as rock climbing and search and |
| A very quick knot to tie, the square knot can join two | | | | rescue, the double and triple fisherman's knot have |
| ropes together in a simple and effective way. | | | | proved reliable. This knot is particularly helpful because |
| However, you should be aware that this knot is not | | | | the knot lies rather flat throughout the connection. This |
| reliable for heavy weights or critical situations. The | | | | rope will not slip or slide, which makes it a reliable |
| square knot has been used for centuries to join two | | | | choice in critical situations. |
| ends together for bandages or shoelaces or belts. The | | | | Constrictor Knot |
| Boy Scouts require skill with this knot for general | | | | To bind or gather groups of objects, the constrictor |
| purposes. | | | | knot will provide security for temporary and |
| Water Knot | | | | semi-permanent situations. Because the knot grips |
| Most knots are designed with regular round rope in | | | | itself, it will not work itself loose. However, the tightness |
| mind. The water knot is a particularly useful knot for | | | | that can be exerted by the rope can damage the |
| webbing. The resulting loop makes its applications | | | | objects being bound. This knot can also be used to |
| comparable to the bowline. If this not is in fact made | | | | close open bags or packages shut. This knot will come |
| with webbing, it is often applied as a sling and can hold | | | | in handy in many circumstances and is very reliable. |
| very heavy loads depending on the integrity of the | | | | Buntline Hitch |
| webbing. Repeated stress on this knot can cause the | | | | This particular hitch is useful when a rope is tied to a |
| tail to slip, therefore make sure to leave a long tail end. | | | | ring, eye, or snap. When completed, the knot bunches |
| Rolling Hitch | | | | neatly and tightly to the ring. The buntline hitch can |
| The rolling hitch is used to attach ropes to poles and | | | | withstand much tension and is very strong. In fact, this |
| other objects. Unlike other hitches, this particular knot is | | | | knot can be difficult to remove after use because of |
| designed for stress in a parallel direction along the | | | | the continual tightening of the knot. |
| object to which the knot is attached. In other words, | | | | Tautline Hitch |
| the stress on this hitch will be lengthwise and not | | | | The unique feature of this knot is the ability to adjust |
| perpendicular or at a right angle. | | | | the tension on a given object. The knot itself is very |
| Clove Hitch | | | | secure and reliable. The loop created by this knot can |
| The clove hitch is a simple and useful knot that needs | | | | be tightened or loosened as needed. |
| to be used with an understanding of its strengths and | | | | Tying It All Together |
| weaknesses. As with other hitches, this knot is | | | | These are some of the more common knots used for |
| attached to an independent object other than the load | | | | work or play. An emergency situation is not the time to |
| itself. This knot is particularly strong when a load pulls | | | | try to tie one of these knots. It is best to be prepared |
| on either end of the hitch as in a crossing knot. If the | | | | by practicing these knots before you need them. Many |
| clove hitch is used in a more common application with | | | | knot tying guides are available. Find one with good |
| stress on one end, be aware, the hitch can easily | | | | illustrations and practice with inexpensive rope or |
| become undone. Yet this can also work to your | | | | scraps. You will then have the confidence to take full |
| advantage if you need an adjustable length of rope on | | | | advantage of rope and the many situations you are |
| the running end. Overall, this hitch is not particularly | | | | likely to encounter. |
| strong, but maintains many useful qualities. | | | | |