As said in Three Knots and the Truth it’s incredible what can be done with three knots: The Bowline, Buntline and double sheet bend. If you’re content to learn only these three then get two pieces of rope and start practicing. For those who want to learn more it’s helpful to take a step back and look at the big picture.
There are knots for everything. However, almost every one of the thousands of knots invented do one of five things. They:
- Stop – Stop rope from passing through a hole or to stop strands from unlaying.
- Bind – Bind objects to other objects.
- Loop – Put a loop in the middle or the end of a rope.
- Bend – Joins the ends of two ropes together.
- Hitch – Attach a rope to an object.
To optimize your time I propose learning the best single knot for each of these five functions before learning many knots that do the same thing. In other words . . .
Go Wide Before Deep
You’re better off doing more with fewer knots than learning many ways to do the same thing. For reasons of memory, time and spatial confusion I’ve ordered the following practice list to cover the widest range of function with the fewest number of knots.
When you’ve got a minute practice these knots, in order. If you can tie one easily then go to the next knot. If you’re stuck on one it’s best to master it before moving on. Knots that you can tie easily are much more valuable that knots you can’t remember.
These 24 knots represent a lifetime competence list. Your ability to improvise rope solutions will be quite incredible with just the first seven knots. Don’t feel you must get to the end of this list to be competent.
A Note on Choices
The following knots are from my real life experience from the vantage point of a generalist. They are not activity specific. My choices favor knots that are most useful, strong, secure (Won’t slip), stable (Won’t capsize), easy to tie and untie though few have every one of those characteristics. No knot is perfect.
| Type | Name | Notes | Learn |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stop | Figure 8 | Building Block – Fundamental | 1 |
| Hitch | Buntline Hitch | Building Block, Trumps Clove Hitch | 2 |
| Loop | Bowline | Mankind’s favorite loop- Versatile | 3 |
| Bend | Sheet Bend (Dbl.) | Joins same sized or Thick-to-Thin | 4 |
| Bind | Constrictor Knot | Or a Boa if it needs to look good | 5 |
| Loop | Alpine Butterfly | Loop or chair tied mid-rope, strong | 6 |
| Hitch | Rolling Hitch | hammock, hoisting,lengthwise load | 7 |
| Bend | Fisherman’s Bend, Dbl. | Stronger than sheet bend – proven | 8 |
| Loop | Bowline on a Bight | Emergency Man Chair – Rescue | 9 |
| Hitch | Prussik Knot | Sliding loop for climbing, rescue | 10 |
| Bend | Water Knot | Flat-to-Flat, joins dog leashes | 11 |
| Hitch | Anchor Bend | Takes strain in all directions | 12 |
| Loop | Figure 8 | Millions of Climbers served | 13 |
| Hitch | Round Turn w/2 HH | Easy, less secure anchor bend | 14 |
| Bind | Timber Hitch | Use to drag trees, pipes, bundles | 15 |
| Hitch | Truckers Hitch | great and simple leveraged pulley | 16 |
| Hitch | Half-Blood Knot | filament to hook, fishing | 17 |
| Bind | Bundle-S | 4 heavy load, add bowline to hoist | 18 |
| Bend | Zeppelin | Symmetrical, won’t jamb, climbing | 19 |
| Bind | Diamond Hitch | Pack Mule Hitch/Car roofs | 20 |
| Hitch | Munter Hitch (Dbl.) | Abseil with carabiner | 21 |
| Hitch | Adjustable Grip Hitch | general lengthwise load hitch | 22 |
| Bend | Sheetbend 3-way | Joins 3 ropes securely | 23 |
| Bend | Carrick Bend | Joins Thick Ropes – Cruise ship | 24 |
Practice Materials
All you need is two pieces of rope. Get 12 feet of small rope at the hardware store and cut it in half. Pick up a carabiner while you’re there.
Web
You can watch each knot being tied on the web.
Book
My favorite knot book is DK’s Handbook of Knots
Wallet Cards
I used to carry these waterproof knot cards when boating. Now, I practice from memory, learn new knots from the DK book or the iphone apps, below.
Phone Apps
John Sherry’s animated version of the wallet cards is slick, but, doesn’t have enough knots. I purchased the full version of the winkpass knot guide because it’s the most comprehensive. If you prefer video over slides then the full version of knot time is good though with less knots than the winkpass. I purchased both (For a total of $5) just to have the same knots tied from two points of view. Both apps advertise they intend to keep adding knots.
References
International Guild of Knot Tyers
IGKT Discussion on Best of Breed Knots
Knots for Life – Part 1: Three Knots and the Truth
Copyright © 2014 by Terence Gillespie. Permission to reprint in whole or in part is gladly granted, provided full credit and a live link are given to McGillespie.com
