outdoor living » the 10 bushcraft books » knots & lashings (pt. 1)

The ability to join two pieces of natural material together, and so increase their length, gives man the ability to make full use of many natural materials found locally.

Sailors probably did more to develop order in the tying of knots, because for them it was necessary not only to tie securely but also to be able to untie, often in the dark and under conditions of bad weather and with rain-tightened ropes.

In bushcraft work probably half a dozen knots would suffice, but knots and knotting have a fascination for many people the world over, and a comprehensive range of knots, plain and fancy, and, with these, splices, whipping, plaits, and net making are included in this book with information of general use.

Knot tying is a useful exercise to obtain better coordination between eyes and fingers. The identification of knots by feel is an excellent means of developing recognition through touch.

In all woodcraft work it is necessary to know how to tie knots which will hold securely and yet can be untied easily. Many of the materials which you will have to use will be green, some will be slippery with sap, and there are many little nicks and knacks to get the best possible use from the materials available.

Knots and lashings take the place of nails for much bushwork, and when it comes to traps and snares, a thorough knowledge of all running knots is essential.

A brief description of the use to which the knot may be put is given in this book. The diagrams will explain how the knot is tied. The letter "F" means the free or untied end of the rope, and the letter "S" means the standing or secured end.

.knots for rope ends or for grips on thin rope

.Thumb Knot To make a stop on a rope end, to prevent the end from fraying or to stop the rope slipping through a sheave, etc.
.Overhand Knot Overhand knot may be put to the same use as the thumb knot. It makes a better grip knot, and is easy to undo.
.Figure Eight This knot is used as the thumb knot. Is easy to undo, and more ornamental.

.knots for joining ropes

.Sheet Bend To join or bend two ropes of unequal thickness together. The thicker rope is the bend.
.Double Sheet Bend Similar to single sheet bend, but gives greater security, also useful for joining wet ropes.
.Crossover Sheet Bend This holds more securely than either the single or double sheet bend and has occasional real uses such as fastening the eye of a flag to its halyard where the flapping might undo the double sheet bend.
.Reef Knot To securely join two ropes of equal thickness together. Notice the difference in position of the free and standing ends between this and the thief knot.
.Thief Knot To tie two ropes of equal thickness together so that they will appear to be tied with a reef knot, and will be retied with a true reef knot. This knot was often used by sailors to tie their sea chests, hence the name.
.Carrick Bend This bend is for the secure fastening of two ropes of even thickness together. It is particularly suitable for hawsers and steel cables. It can be readily undone and does not jam, as do many other bends and knots.
.Stopper Hitch To fasten a rope to another rope (or to a spar) on which there is already a strain. When the hitch is pulled tight the attached rope will not slip, and the tension on the main rope can be taken on the attached rope. Also useful for a climbing hitch.
.Flemish Knot or Double Overhand Knot For securing two ropes or cords of equal thickness together.
.Fisherman's Knot For joining two springy materials together; suitable for wire, fishing gut or vines. Two thumb knots (one on each rope) pulled tight. The knots lock together.
.Overhand Fisherman's Knot Similar to fisherman's knot; for general uses. More positive for gut fishing lines and nylon.

.knots to make loops in rope

.Bowline To form a loop that will not slip on a rope end.
.Bowline On A Bight To make a double loop that will not slip on a rope end. Also called a bo'sun's chair.
.Fisherman's Eye Knot This is the best method of making a loop or eye in a fishing line. The strain is divided equally between the two knots.
.Slip Knot For fastening a line to a pier or a pole or any other purpose where strain alone on the standing end is sufficient to hold the knot..
.Overhand Eye Knot This method of making an eye or loop is satisfactory and quick, but it sometimes jams and becomes difficult to untie.
.Flemish Eye Knot Used for all purposes where a loop is required, less likely to jam than overhand eye knot.
.Crabbins Hitch This eye knot, though not very well known, is one of the stoutest eye knots. It has not the tendency to cut itself or pull out common to some of the other eye knots. It also makes a useful running knot.
.Manharness Knot This is a most useful knot for making a series of non-slip loops in a rope for the purpose of harnessing men for a pull. The marlinspike hitch is made as in lower sketch and then the loop is drawn under and over the other two ropes as indicated. The whole knot is then pulled taut.
.Midshipman's Hitch This is an old-fashioned hitch often used to fasten a block or sheave to a rope's end.
.Jury Knot or True Lover's Knot This knot is primarily for a mast head, to form loops by means of which the mast be stayed. It is called a jury knot because in sailing ship days it was often used to rig a temporary or jury mast. Three hitches as in top sketch are formed. The loop C is pulled under B and over A. D is pulled over E and under F. G is pulled straight up for the third loop. H is made by splicing the two free ends together.
.Bow Thong Hitch Used by New Guinea natives for securing the end of the split cane bow thong to the pointed end of the bow. Also useful for fastening rope over the tapered end of a spar.