Questions tagged [knots]
Questions relating to the use of knots in performing activities in the great outdoors such as climbing and fishing.
25
questions
66
votes
8
answers
25k
views
What are good knots to know for camping and backpacking?
I once tied a bear bag with a haphazard bundle of knots, and despite being seemingly impossible to untie, it came loose when lowering the bear bag and nearly smoked my friend standing under it. What ...
- 10.7k
29
votes
4
answers
15k
views
Bowline knot, end at the inside or outside?
Why is it advised (here at Outdoors) to tie a bowline knot with its ending on the inside ("Standard Bowline") and not at the outside ("Cowboy Bowline")? See pictures below.
If you're unlucky the end ...
user741
24
votes
5
answers
10k
views
How safe is the bowline knot in different situations?
The bowline knot (picture below, source) has a great reputation as a very safe knot. Is it really completely safe in all situations and loads, or are there use cases where it may fail?
- 4,983
11
votes
2
answers
5k
views
How to tie an EBSB bowline?
According to the most comprehensive reference ever written on bowlines, the EBSB bowline (which is a variation of another variation, called the EBDB bowline, together with a sort of Yosemite finish) ...
- 3,379
1
vote
1
answer
236
views
How to tie a figure eight on a bight?
One of the more common knots in climbing is the figure eight on a bight (being tied on a bight means that it is tied without using the ends.
How exactly would one tie this knot?
- 69.2k
0
votes
1
answer
3k
views
How to tie a Purcell Prusik from a single end?
There is the regular Purcell Prusik, which can be used for adjustable tethers or create foot loops for ascending a rope, but it is also useful to know how to tie it with only one end of the rope ...
- 69.2k
33
votes
7
answers
12k
views
Which knot for climbing: figure eight, yosemite bowline, bowline on a bight?
This is a topic often discussed online, but all I could find so far was people sharing their opinions (including numbers) on what tie-in knot is the best. Here's what I've found out from different ...
- 1,037
28
votes
6
answers
6k
views
Most practical knots for hitching a line to an object while keeping the bitter end as tight as possible, without sag?
Say, I want to tie a rope between two trees, and I want it to have as little sag as possible. I have attached the rope to one tree and I'm trying to tie it to the other tree while pulling it to create ...
18
votes
2
answers
10k
views
How do I tie a slackline with only carabiners and webbing?
Commercial slackline solutions seem bulky, heavy, overpriced, and a little too industrial for my liking. I have 6 carabiners and 50m of tubular webbing. What knots do you recommend for building, ...
- 19k
15
votes
5
answers
9k
views
Which mid-line knot is best suited for a trucker's hitch?
I've been using a trucker's hitch knot for a very long time (camping, strapping stuff down, line length adjustment, pulley system)
I've always switched my mid-line loop when I've come to not trust ...
- 731
12
votes
2
answers
6k
views
Adjustable mid-line knot?
I'm looking for a knot similar to a sheepshank but adjustable and stable under load on both ends.
Think of two poles that have the two ends of a rope permanently attached to them but you want to ...
- 123
10
votes
1
answer
2k
views
water knot vs figure 8 follow through vs X for rock climbing anchor - What is easiest to untie?
I've recently been using figure 8 follow through on anchor webbing, and although it takes more time to dress properly and setup than a water knot, it's easier to untie at the end of the day and I feel ...
- 763
7
votes
1
answer
2k
views
How to tie a Purcell prusik?
One of the more useful knots for climbing is the Purcell prusik (related to but not a regular prussik), which can be used as an adjustable tether or for ascending a rope among other things.
How would ...
- 69.2k
4
votes
1
answer
620
views
How do I tie a figure of 8 knot
How would I tie a double figure of eight knot for attaching to a rock climbing harness?
user2766
4
votes
1
answer
983
views
How use a nylon cordelette as an adjustable tether for rock climbing?
Sometimes when clipping in people who are rappelling, or setting up anchors in some places from above or showing people how to get onto a fixed line, I need an adjustable tether.
I often carry a ...
- 69.2k
21
votes
8
answers
11k
views
How do you tie in to the centre of a rope?
Suppose you're leading a short pitch (20-30m) and you have two followers, or you want to double rope the route, and want to simply half your rope and tie into the centre, pulling the two halves up ...
- 53.5k
14
votes
1
answer
1k
views
How do I tie a Prusik knot?
Prusik knots are useful in emergency situations as they can be used for both climbing up a rope (out of a canyon) or down a rope (rappelling) without someone else providing a fireman's belay.
How ...
- 8,198
12
votes
2
answers
6k
views
Fixed line: Prusik vs mechanical ascender
The standard mountaineering textbook Freedom of the Hills has a long discussion of fixed lines, and they state simply that you use a mechanical ascender on them. This seems odd to me, since for most ...
user2169
11
votes
4
answers
5k
views
Most practical knots for a bend (tying two ropes together) while pulling to create tension?
My personal favorite for tying two ends of a rope together is the Flemish Bend. It's simple, strong, does not slide, does not require stopper knots (unless used for life-critical applications), allows ...
7
votes
1
answer
3k
views
How do I tie a bowline knot?
Bowline knots are among the most commonly used knots across many different outdoor activities. It is used to create a fixed loop at the end of a line, while still being easy to tie and untie.
How ...
- 8,198
7
votes
1
answer
1k
views
How to tie a bull hitch using end(s)?
I have found the bull hitch really great for tying my paracord to secure to an object, like a stick, branch or other long object. The reason I like it is that compared to other hitches like the girth ...
- 777
6
votes
3
answers
596
views
What's this knot called?
I came up with this variation of the flat overhand knot (also known as the Euro Death Knot) for pulling ropes on a rappel. I've never been comfortable using the Euro Death Knot (EDK), but it's hard to ...
- 53.5k
4
votes
2
answers
638
views
Undoing an over tight Clove Hitch?
The weather has been really nice this weekend in North wales so over the weekend I set up a slack line in my back garden to have a play about on!
On Sun I went to take it all down. Problem is I ...
user2766
3
votes
2
answers
403
views
What are the four climbing knots used by Jim Bridwell?
Long & Gaines Climbing Anchors says:
Jim Bridwell, one of the most experienced climbers in the
history of the sport, uses only four knots for any and all climbing situations. Better
to ...
- 928
1
vote
0
answers
35
views
Are there vines in nature that are naturally capable of being used as a whip (weapon), rope or as strings? [duplicate]
Natural meaning, no human alteration to them besides chopping them off from a tree or any type of plant.
Ways I'm wondering if natural vines can be used.
As a weapon, such as such as the bullwhip.
As ...
- 131