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What is a Knot?
Knots are used to fasten or secure a linear
material such as a rope, cord, webbing, twine, string, straps or just about
anything that allows the knot to be tied to something or itself by a means
of interweaving. There are a few basic types or categories of knots, they
are:
Category of Knots
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* Click on the category of knots to go
directly to that category of knots to view!!! |
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Bends
(tie two ropes together) |
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Bindings (tie a knot to something, most
of the time it is a permanent knot) |
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Hitches (ties the rope to an object) |
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Single Loops
(multiple uses) |
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Stoppers (terminal knots)
These type of knots are used to bind a rope end, stop a
knot from slipping, weight a rope end, provide handholds. Stopper
knots are the simplest and most common type of knot used.
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The Lasso, Noose or Snare
(single
looped knot that constricts when force is applied) |
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Knot Knowledge
Rope Construction
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Short fibers spun into
yarn, flat or twisted, which are then twisted or braided to make a rope |
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Final stage of
construction including the material they are made of determines texture,
flexibility, stretch & durability for knot tying |
Three-strand (Laid) Rope
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yarn, twisted together in
one direction to make a strand |
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3 strands twisted
opposite direction from the rope |
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opposite twists =
strength & friction & shape
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Lay of the Rope
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Z-Laid Rope (most rope is
z-laid) Hold the rope in hand, if the twist ///// its Z |
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S-Laid Rope (most cable
is s-laid) Hold the rope in hand, if the twist is \\\\\ its S |
Braided Rope
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Majority of todays rope
is this kind |
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Braided yarns, in a
variety of ways |
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The Sheath give it
strength and protection for the load-bearing fibers that make up the inner
core of the rope |
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16+ yarns covering an
inner core of yarns |
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The Inner Core braided
or lightly twisted together. This is the load-bearing section of the rope |
Braided
Rope Construction
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Many combinations
exist! Some with cores some without |
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Multi-braided
flexible, does not kink, 2 pairs of Zs & 2 pairs of Ss |
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Braid on Braid
braided core protected by braided sheath. Less strength, less
flexibility |
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Hollow Braid small
sized rope, no core, flexible, but tends to flatten during use |
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Parallel Core very
strong, braided cover protects core. Stretch core consists of that is
parallel or lightly twisted yarn
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Rope Materials
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Properties can be
natural or synthetic |
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Synthetic Rope |
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Nylon (1930s), stronger,
lighter, resistant to decay and weather |
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All-purpose rope made
from polypropylene to aramid materials constructed from liquid crystal
polymer (LQP) fibers |
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Comes in a variety of
colors, tends to be more slippery than wet |
A. Polypropylene Rope (Synthetic)
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Low cost, all purpose,
light, floats |
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Used for rescue and
short mooring lines |
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Poor resistance to the
sun and abrasive surfaces |
Types of Polypropylene Rope
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Monofilament most resistant to wear
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Multifilament softer rope, holds knots well
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Split-Film inexpensive
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Staple-Spun hairy rope, easy to grip
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Fibrillated Fivers have he esthetic
appeal of natural rope
B. Polyester Rope (Synthetic)
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Close to nylon strength |
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Remains very strong,
even when wet, stretches less too |
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Hard wearing, doesn't
not float |
Types of Polyester Rope
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Three-strand three pieces stranded together
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Braided Polyester has core and sheath
C. Nylon Rope (Synthetic)
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1st synthetic material
used for rope making |
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One of the strongest
materials used for rope |
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Lots of stretch = great
for absorbing shock loads (climbing) |
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When wet the strength
lessens anywhere from 5-25% |
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Hard wearing does not
float |
Types of Nylon Rope
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Three-Strand (Z-shape)
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Braided
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Multi-braided (exotic looking ropes)
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Monofilament (fishing line, weed-eater rope)
D. New Synthetic Materials for Rope
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Aramid low stretch, not good for tight
curves, used in fishing and kite line. It is braided with a sheath
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High Module Polyethylene (HMP) light &
strong.
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Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP) new and very
expensive
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Polyphenylene Benzibisoxazole (PBO)
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Natural Rope
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Used until the early
1900s |
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Made from a variety of
plants |
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Made of laid rope |
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Esthetically pleasing |
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Decays easily & becomes
brittle |
Types of Natural Rope
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Coir made from coconut shell fibers, very
weak, made large in size, stretches and floats, rarely used
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Cotton mostly used as decorative rope,
popular old fishing rope, stretchy & soft to the touch
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Sisal low cost rope made from Agave Sisalana
plant, waterproof rope
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Manila made from Musa Textilis, high
quality, strong, less susceptiple to decay
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Hemp made from Cannibus Sativa, strongest of
all the natural ropes, but can decay like any other natural rope
Rope Maintenance
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Proper maintenance of
rope is important for performance durability, efficiency, safety and
economical reasons |
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Sand, grit or oil is bad
for rope |
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Wash rope with liquid
soap and warm water |
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Hand rope to dry
completely after washing it or if it gets wet |
Binding Ripe Ends (aka Whipping)
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Prevents the ends from
fraying |
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Two means of binding ends
of rope |
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Heat/Flame used on synthetic rope
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Whipping used on other types of rope
Binding Types
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Liquid Whipping dip end in scalant, let dry
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Glue used for small diameter, thin rope
where the rope is dipped into a latex based glue or polyvinyl acetate
glue, let dry
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Plastic Tubing rubber sleeve that fits over
the end of the rope, apply heat, the tube shrinks over the end creating a
bond.
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Adhesive Tape wind and adhesive tape around
the end to provide a bind
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Whipping using string or thread a series of
simple knots and turns are used to wrap around the end of the rope
creating a sealed end that will not fray
Preventing Chafe
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Caused by repeated
rubbing |
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Used a plastic sheath
longer that the possible rub area or |
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Cover the surface of the
rope that is larger than the possible rub area |
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Sheepshank can be used to
relieve worn spots |
Storing Rope
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Prevents the rope from
tangling and kinking |
Uncoiling
Rope
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Z-Rope should be uncoiled
counterclockwise (CCW) |
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S-Rope should be uncoiled
clockwise (CW) |
Coiling Rope
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3 strand & Z-rope should
be circled CW
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Hold with your left
hand, wrap with your right hand |
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Braided Rope should be
circle in a figure 8 pattern
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Hold with your left
hand, circle with your right hand |
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Finishing
Coils of Rope
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Prevents unraveling |
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Zip ties
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Constrictor knots, square knots or packers
knot works well
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Self-stopped coils
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You can binds the rope to
itself with the loose end of rope |
Steps
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Pull the loose end of the rope through the
coiled center of the rope
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Leave a small loop at the top of the coil from
the loose end of rope
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Wrap the loose end of rope around the top of
the coil 3-4x or more
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Slide the turns towards the loop, helps to
lock the loose end in place
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Pull the loose end through the loop
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Be sure to use the figure eight when wrapping
braided rope
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Self-stopped Coil with a Loop
Steps
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Add a loop at the top to hand the rope
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Follow step one from above
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Double the remaining loose end back on itself
(bight)
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Complete step 2 from above
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Pass the end of the bight through the loop to
form the loop of the coil
Terms & Equipment
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Different pieces are used
for certain reasons |
Knot Tying Techniques
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Dummy Knot simulate the
final knot without actually tying it, leave out the tucks when performing
it. Mark the end so you know how much you will need. |
Working with the Long
Length of Rope
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Bight bundle of tucked rope, helps to
minimize knot tying confusion |
Unlaying & laying rope
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To separate > work
top to bottom, pitch with thumb, continue to next & then again |
Forcing a Crossing Turn
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Cross Turns basics to
starting many knots |
Working a Knot into
Shape
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Working Slack Out pull
strands evenly tight |
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Tightening Strand Ends
tighten with unlaid strands, gentle pulls |
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Working Strands into
Place use your thumb & finger |
Doubling a Knot
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Added for additional
strength & durability |
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Use extra rope to force a
second knot from the starting point |
Finishing off a Knot
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Seize the end if needed. |
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Trim the loose ends to
prevent tangling. |
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Note:
More pictures are on the way!,
in the near future I will include animations on how to tie these
knots.
Various knots with pictures and short terms and uses.
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Bends
Albright Special
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A good knot for tying two
ropes of different (or the same) diameter together. This is a fairly easy
knot to tie and it is a "pretty" knot with minimal bulk, unlike the carrick bend knot. |
Carrick Knot
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This is one of the best knots used to tie two ropes together. It can withstand heavy loads for a long
time, will not jam. and is untieable. It is a bulkier knot that
needs some practice to master. |
Reef Knot aka "Square" Knot
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This knot is great for quick applications,
because it is easy to tie, but beware, it is unreliable! Do not
use this as a Bend knot! |
Bindings
Boa Knot
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The boa knot is a superior
binding knot. It holds better than the constrictor knot
because it uses two loops instead of one. With this in mind, it is
harder to tie and is best used for binding cylinder shaped objects
together. |
Constrictor Knot
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The constrictor knot is a great binding knot for
permanent applications, like securing a garbage bag. Very hard to untie! |
Hitches
Clove Hitch
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The clove hitch is also known as a binding knot.
This knot has been used for thousands of years and has multiple
purposes. It works best when there is a load applied to both
ends. This knot can come loose and is not as affective as some other
hitch knots, but it is a simple knot to learn, tie and untie. |
Cow Hitch
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The cow hitch is a good
knot to use for tying a rope that is to move around a stationary pole.
For example, tying a cow to a pole, hence the cow hitch. |
Magnus or Rolling Hitch
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The rolling hitch works well for pulling objects
like a pole or a big stick lengthwise. Most hitch knots are for
right-angle applications, but this knot is just the opposite. |
Two Half-Hitches
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The taut-line hitch is a
multipurpose knot, because it is both adjustable and reliable. This
knot is great for securing any type of load such as: using as a
rescue knot, tying tent poles or setting up the guy rope on your fly. |
Blake's Hitch
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Blake's hitch is an ascending knot by tree climbers
and other outdoorsman's. It is a good knot for ascending or descending
and is a self-adjusting knot. To increase the holding power of this
knot add additional turns. |
Anchor Bend
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The anchor bend is a modified two-half hitch knot that
is more secure and can withstand a stressful load under constant
pressure. This is a great knot to use and easy to learn, just add an
additional loop around the object and through the two loops that you
are fastening the rope to. |
Single Loops
Bowline
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The bowline makes a good loop in the end of a
knot. This knot is great under constant load and easy to tie, even
with one hand!. Untying is a cinch too, unless there is "load" on the
rope. |
Butterfly 0r Lineman's Loop
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The lineman's loop is great for placing a loop
in the middle of your rope or anywhere but the ends. It is easy to
learn and does come in handy. |
Figure-of-Eight Loop
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The figure-of-eight is
very quick and easy to tie when you are trying to put a loop in the
end of your rope. It has multiple uses and is strong, but yet easy to
untie when you are finished with it. |
Stoppers
Overhand Knot
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The overhand is a simple knot that adds
some security to the end of a knot. It is also good to use when
handholds are needed on a rope. A good knot to use when there is some
bending in your rope. |
Flemish Eight
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The flemish eight is another simple stopper knot that is easier on
the rope than the overhand knots. This knot is not recommended for bend support. |
The Lasso, Noose or Snare
Hangman's Knot
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The hangman's knot originated back in the 17th
Century. This knot was used in executions by hanging. This knot uses coils placed within the
knots structure to apply friction (the more coils used, the more friction it
applies)
to the knot's looped end, which make it harder to open or close. Despite its
original purpose, this knot works well for snaring an object of
unpredictability. |
Running Bowline
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The running bowline is a little complicated, but
if you know the basics of the bowline its not to bad to tie. This knot uses the ways of the bowline knot, but
is adjustable and is great for snaring objects or securing something in high
winds. A little difficult to master, because the "runnable" loop can be
too large and is never the same size when you tie it again. |
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FYI: |
There are a few great websites out there that show how
to tie these knots as well as animations for them. They also explain
these knots in more detail. |
*Disclaimer: Is found on the main page & applies to this page as well as
all other pages.
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