6

There are knots that have similar sort of a structure or a look-alike looping which can easily confuse someone who is not seasoned in knots and safety associated with them.

As a thumb rule, beginners are always advised to get their knots inspected by a veteran before they bank their safety upon it.

But, yet, Can we list out knots that stand a chance to jeopardize the safety due to a minor mistake? Well, a minor mistake in any knot puts the safety into a jeopardy, but still.

What are similar-looking knots which are not an alternative to each-other?

For example, a Butterfly knot and a False butterfly. Or a Reef knot and a Granny knot or a Grief knot.

Improve this question
2
  • 2
    I don't think the issue is getting knots confused, the problem is tying a knot incorrectly. The bowline is a good example of a very safe knot but if tied incorrectly it's difficult to check. That's why climbers use a figure of eight instead, as it's easy to confirm that it's tied correctly.
    – user2766
    Commented Oct 14, 2015 at 9:39
  • @liam: Of course, I agree. As a seasoned climber, you are seeing this in perspective of inspecting a knot, I am referring to a perspective that deals with the situation that what mistakes can a rookie do when he/she ties a knot and end up making a different knot which is identified and named, but not usable.
    – WedaPashi ♦
    Commented Oct 14, 2015 at 13:20

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
7

I believe the better way is a list of easy to tie, easy to inspect, reliable must know knots.

My advise to beginners is master just one way to tie each knot, and only a few knots (3 or 4 is all you need to climb safely). Ignore alternate ways to tie the same knot and ignore people who tell you there is a better knot for that job till you have mastered each of those knots

Climbing I teach a figure of eight to students, mention the bowline as "An alternate that suits some situations, you should learn it when you can tie a figure of 8 in 5 seconds, into a frozen rope, blindfolded, hanging from a cliff by one hand with a frost bitten fingers". Often other knots are bought up - Alpine butterfly - use a Fig8, when I have seen you tie it blindfolded....., I will teach you the AB.

My starting list of knots that must be mastered by a beginner (for Climbing) is Fig8 (on a bite and follow through), Clove Hitch, Munter Hitch, Prussik. With only those four, you can get yourself out of 99.999% of the trouble a climber can get into.

Improve this answer

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.