Useful Knots And How To Tie Them
Much depends on knowing how to fasten quickly, simply, and thoroughly. We give a description of some of the ties and knots most needed by the camper. They should be studied with a piece of small rope until thoroughly learned, so thoroughly that you can make them naturally, easily, and without stopping to think how they are to be made ; also, make them as they should be made, for often the slightest variation from the correct way is fatal to the security of your knot.
SIMPLE KNOT.
A ” simple knot,” the foundation to all good knots, is made by turning the loose end A, fig. 1, around the body part B, and passing it through its own loop D. Draw tight. The bight D C E separates the two straight parts, which are bound together by the loops D and E.
SLIP KNOT.
A ” slip knot ” is made by tying a ” simple knot ” around the body part so as to make a third loop, G, Fig. 2, which may be easily enlarged or diminished by slipping the body part through the ” simple knot ” part. It is a reliable knot in ordinary strains, if the end of the body part B is properly secured. It is used chiefly in small twines for -securing soft packages, bundles of clothing, and similar articles.
SINGLE LOOP KNOT.
A ” single loop knot ” is the same as the ” simple knot,” except that the loose end A, Fig. 3, is not drawn entirely through its own loop D. Observe that both sides of the secondary loop H are on the same side of the primary loop D. It is useful as a ” check knot ” in many places, in connection with the ” slip knot,” to secure the running end B, Fig. 2.
BOWLINE KNOT.
A ” bowline knot ” is the same as a ” single loop ” with the body part B B, Fig. 5, enclosed by the secondary loop H and the primary loop E being drawn well out. This is a choice knot ; so well guarded in all parts that it will never slip, even up to a breaking strain between the primary loop E and the body part B, and is used mainly for fastening by throwing the loop E over a post or stake. It can be made in many ways, and is worthy the attention of any camper who has not already learned its use.
To make the ” bowline knot,” take the rope in your right hand, palm upward, the loose end projecting several inches beyond your right thumb. Take the body part (called the “standing part”) similarly in your left hand, palm upward ; the distance between the two hands determines the size of the loop E. With your right hand lay the loose end over the body part beyond the left hand ; with the left hand turn the body part over and around the loose end, so as to enclose it in a circular loop (a, Fig. 4). Hold that loop open and pass the loose end A over the side, down under the body part from left to right, back over the side of the loop, and down through it on the left hand side of the part already there. When you have learned just how to do it, you will use it in preference to all other knots, wherever it is suitable.
BOWLINE SHANK
A “shank” is used to shorten a line. There are many kinds. Most of them will not endure a severe strain without slipping out. The one shown in Fig. 6 is a ” bowline shank,” and is perfectly safe. Take up the slack of the rope and double it in two long bights. Turn each loose end once around the neck of the bight, under itself, and through the bight. If the rope is new and stiff, and subject only to light strains, it may be used without passing the ends through the bights. If the ends are inaccessible, a small loop may be passed through the bight, and a stick placed in the loop ; it will hold, if the stick is firm, under heavy strain.
“GRANNY KNOT”
The ordinary ” hard knot” is generally tied as in Fig. 7, which is wrong; tighten it, and four times out of five it will slip. This is what sailors call a ” granny knot.”
SQUARE or REEF KNOT
Now make your knot as in Fig.8. SQUARE KNOT, OR REEF KNOT.
You will notice that in the last tie of this knot, Fig. 8, the ends first cross each other each on its own side, and then turn down and under. This is called a ” square knot,” and will never slip. Draw tight, and notice the difference in shape between this and the granny knot. Always use it at home or in camp.
FISHERMAN’S KNOT.
A “fisherman’s knot” is very convenient for tying the lines together, and is made as shown in the illustration (Fig. 9). After tying, draw your knots together, and cut off the surplus ends.
TIMBER HITCH.
A ” timber hitch ” (Fig. 10) is very useful in towing, or dragging logs and boards. Pass the end of your rope round the timber, then pass it under and over the standing part, and take several turns around its own part.
CLOVE HITCH and HAMMOCK HITCH.
These two knots are really easily followed in the above diagrams. Well worth the effort to learn as a slipping hammock is most uncomfortable.
All these Knots and more are covered in my book at www.lukiebooks.com. Included along with these are splices, hitches, endings, bowlines, simple knots, bends, lashings and decorative knots. In fact, everything you will ever need to secure or join ropes.
