Valuable knot usually used for securing loads or tarpaulins. VIDEO Trucker’s Hitch Details Found in: Arborist, Boating, Hitches, Household, Scouting Also known as: Harvester’s Hitch, Haymaker’s Hitch, Lorry Knot, Power Cinch Knot Use: The Trucker’s Hitch, known as the Power Cinch Knot, Lorry Knot, Haymaker’s Hitch, or Harvester’s Hitch (ABOK # 2124, p. 344), is unique. It gives you a mechanical advantage […]
Category: Scouting Knots
Square Knot
Simple way to join two ropes made up of two Half Knots. VIDEO Square Knot Details Found in: Basics, Horse & Farm, Household, Scouting Also known as: Reef Knot First Knot: The Square (Reef) Knot (ABOK # 1402, p. 258) is usually learned when we tie the laces on our first pair of shoes. It is often a bow that we […]
Rolling Hitch
Popular slide and grip knot, may fail with modern ropes. VIDEO Rolling Hitch Details Found in: Boating, Hitches, Horse & Farm, Scouting, Slide & Grip Also known as: Magner’s Hitch, Magnus Hitch Description: The Rolling Hitch Knot – Ashley Version 2 (ABOK # 1735, p. 298) connects a smaller rope to a larger one. This knot works best with the pull lines […]
Marlinspike Hitch
A stick or spike is used to make a knot in the rope . VIDEO Marlinspike Hitch Details Found in: Scouting History: Ashley lists the Marlinspike Hitch Knot as “Marlingspike” (ABOK # 2030, p. 330). He said someone made it with a marling-spike. This tool helps pull on a strand or line when splicing, seizing, or serving […]
Midshipman’s Hitch
An adjustable loop tied using a Rolling Hitch VIDEO Midshipman’s Hitch Details Found in: Boating, End Loops, Hitches, Scouting Also known as: Taut Line Hitch Structure: The Midshipman’s Hitch Knot (ABOK # 1855, p. 310) creates an adjustable loop at the end of a rope. You can slide the knot up and down the standing end, but when you tighten it, […]
Lashing Knot – Shear
Joins two poles with other ends apart as shear legs. VIDEO Lashing Knot – Shear Details Found in: Scouting Also known as: Shear Lashing Use: The Shear Lashing Knot (ABOK # 2108 – 2110, p 342.) is used to lash the ends of two poles together. They separate the other ends to make a pair of Shear Legs. Tying […]
Lashing Knot – Round
Securely binds two poles together to make an end join. VIDEO Lashing Knot – Round Details Found in: Scouting Also known as: Round Lashing Use: The Round Lashing Knot is like the one Ashley described for scaffolding (ABOK # 2103, p. 342). It’s used to tie two parallel spars together, making a longer one. Increased Security: Many descriptions note […]
Lashing Knot – Diagonal
Secures diagonal braces to hold a structure rigid. VIDEO Lashing Knot – Diagonal Details Found in: Scouting Also known as: Diagonal Lashing Use: The Diagonal Lashing Knot (ABOK #2115, p. 343) is used to lash two spars together. Diagonal lashing is different from square lashing. Square lashing is for poles that cross at right angles. Workers use diagonal […]
Farrimond Friction Hitch
Quick method of rigging an adjustable tent ridge line. VIDEO Farrimond Friction Hitch Details Found in: Hitches, Scouting, Slide & Grip Origin: The Farrimond Friction Hitch comes from British actor Barry Farrimond. He showed it in 2008 at the Yellow Wood Bush Camp in Wales. It is like the Prusik Knot which has three wraps, not two. Purpose: The Farrimond […]
Double Overhand Stopper
The Double Overhand Stopper is a knot that forms a larger, stronger stopper at the end of a rope. VIDEO Double Overhand Stopper Details Found in: Boating, Climbing, Household, Scouting, Search & Rescue, Stoppers Uses: The Double Overhand Stopper Knot (ABOK #516, p. 84) uses the Overhand Knot with one extra turn. It creates a reliable stopper knot that has a much […]
Constrictor Knot (Twisting Method)
Tie the Constrictor knot using the twisting method. VIDEO Constrictor Knot (Twisting Method) Details Found in: Boating, Horse & Farm, Household, Scouting Uses: The Constrictor Knot (ABOK # 1188, p. 216) deserves greater recognition and usage. It’s a great quick fix for a fraying rope end. You can use it to hold the rope together while whipping it. It secures […]
Cleat Hitch (Halyard)
Attaches rope to cleat – used for halyards, clotheslines, etc. VIDEO Cleat Hitch (Halyard) Details Found in: Boating, Scouting Uses: The Cleat Hitch is a knot used to secure a rope to a cleat, common in boating and sailing. History: “Belaying a rope” means securing it or making it fast. Before cleats were common, sailors tied a rope […]
Barrel Hitch
Secure method to lift barrels, buckets and other containers. VIDEO Barrel Hitch Details Found in: Hitches, Household, Scouting Name: Ashley describes two methods of tying this hitch (ABOK # 2176 and 2177, p 350.) but didn’t give either one a name. Today, people use the Barrel Hitch for both techniques when lifting a barrel upright. The Barrel Hitch offers […]
Adjustable Grip Hitch
Used to tension a rope, e.g., a tent ridge line or a guy line. VIDEO Adjustable Grip Hitch Details Found in: Hitches, Scouting, Slide & Grip Origin: The Adjustable Grip Hitch is a friction knot. It adjusts with ease when it’s not loaded. Uses: The Adjustable Grip Hitch is useful for tensioning a line such as a tent ridgeline or […]
Timber Hitch
Simple knot commonly used for towing a log. VIDEO Timber Hitch Details Found in: Arborist, Horse & Farm, Scouting Also known as: Countryman’s Knot. , Lumberman’s Knot Origin: The Timber Hitch is often used for cargo. According to (Ashley ABOK #1665, p. 290), it’s very handy. It comes apart with little effort when the pull stops. Uses: The Timber Hitch is […]
Sheet Bend
Joins two ropes of unequal, or similar, size VIDEO Sheet Bend Details Found in: Arborist, Basics, Bends, Hitches, Horse & Farm, Scouting Also known as: Weaver’s Knot Uses: Experts recommend using the Sheet Bend (ABOK # 1431, p 262) or Weaver’s Knot (ABOK # 485, p 78) to join two ropes of unequal size. Use the thicker rope for the simple bight as […]
Half Hitch Knot
Used to tie rope around an object and back to itself. VIDEO Half Hitch Knot Details Found in: Arborist, Basics, Scouting Uses: Ashley described the Half Hitch Knot (ABOK # 50, p 14) as “one end of a rope going around an object and securing to its own standing part with a Single Hitch.” Comparison: The animation shows the close […]
Double Fisherman’s Bend
Securely joins two ropes of similar size. VIDEO Double Fisherman’s Bend Details Found in: Arborist, Bends, Climbing, Scouting, Search & Rescue Also known as: Grapevine Bend Structure: The Double Fisherman’s, or Grapevine, Bend (ABOK # 294, p 50.) consists of two Strangle Knots. They tie around each other’s standing end, like double overhand knots. But, because another line creates it, this structure may […]
Coil Unattached Rope
Secure and neat rope storage, minimizes tangles and twists. VIDEO Coil Unattached Rope Details Found in: Arborist, Rope Care, Scouting Uses: A free, or unattached, rope (like a climbing rope) is best stored in a neat coil. You should secure the Rope Coil well. This keeps it tidy and ready for quick use without tangles or twists. Read […]
Clove Hitch – Rope End
Temporary hold, e.g., stage scenery or mooring buoy VIDEO Clove Hitch – Rope End Details Found in: Arborist, Boating, Climbing, Hitches, Horse & Farm, Household, Scouting, Search & Rescue Tying options: half hitches, using loops Alternatives: You can tie the Clove Hitch in a few ways. You can use Threading the End, Half Hitches, or Stacked Loops. Caution: The Clove Hitch (ABOK # 1245, p 224) was […]