Knots

[tdw28210]

Use it from time to time:

https://www.animatedknots.com/

[Skytrooper]

Originally Posted by tishabet

i'm a devoted fisherman, an eagle scout and spent years working as an alpine guide... I got knots out the wazoo.

Bowline and square are top two for sure, for most people these two will cover 99% of their needs.

I would say clove hitch (attach the middle of your rope to something) and taut line hitch (look like a hero attaching your christmas tree to the car) round out the top 4 for me in terms of practical, everyday knots.

+1

[jyl]

I used to use a lot of fishing knots, but nowadays I get by with:
1. To make a loop at the end of a line: bowline OR (lazy alternate) simply turn end of line back on itself to a bight then tie overhand knot
2. To make a loop on the middle of a line: fisherman’s dropper OR (lazy alternate) simply gather line into a bight and tie overhand knot
3. To tie the end of line to something: fisherman’s knot OR a couple clove hitches OR simply wrap line around the thing twice then pass line under the wrap then secure with two half hitches
4. To tie a load down: trucker’s hitch aka tautline hitch.

I know the above include some pretty lame alternates but I find if you’re not tying slipperly line (like mono), don’t care about easy untying or ultimate strength, my lazy alternates seem to work fine.

[rusnak]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

99% of the time I'm tying something down, and use one of these:

That guy can tie knots but he does not know how to tie down a load.

1. The last knot should be tied to the rail. Tying the rope to itself is not as strong.

2. The rope should be around the vertical post so it doesn't slip fore/ aft.

3. The "hitch" loop can be tied with one hand. Essential to know if you're tying down an actual load, when you don't have both hands free.

4. Of course, that rope is NOT the best for holding knots or providing tensile strength.



The four knots?

I don't know, but the slip knot and trucker's knot are my top 2.

[flatbutt]

I used the clove hitch all the time back when I hiked sticks for Ma Bell. It was the one for tying tool buckets to the pole.

[rsrguy]

Eagle Scout as well... Not that it means $chite any more..

Sheet bend
Bowline
Clove hitch
Truckers hitch (this one includes several variations of knots that make it the all time pre-ratchet strap KOK)

Honorable mentions
Half and other hitch/slip knots
Timber hitch, sheepshank, and all of the splices

[hcoles]

My votes:
- bowline (for when you don't want the knot to come out in use)
- truckers hitch (there are two common methods I know of.. I use the most reliable one)
- rolling hitch ( I use to secure a line in the middle of a line)
Honorable mention
- carrick bend (because it is fun to tie, can be easily undone and can be used to connect lines of different diameters)