outdoor living » the 10 bushcraft books » knots & lashings (pt. 2)

.Slippery Hitch

Very useful because of the ease with which it can be released in emergency. It holds securely for so long as there is a strain on the standing end.

.Clove Hitch

For securing a rope to a spar. This hitch, if pulled taut, will not slip up or down on a smooth surface. A useful start for lashings.

.Boat Knot

This is a method of securing a rope to a thole pin or other small piece of wood on a boat. It is quickly released.

.Double Boat Knot

A bight is simply passed through the ring and a marlin spike or other round piece of wood is put between the bight or the rope. Withdrawal of the spike quickly releases the knot.

.Slippery Hitch

Very useful because of the ease with which it can be released in emergency. It holds securely for so long as there is a strain on the standing end.

.Rolling Hitch

To fasten a rope to a spar. This is a very secure fastening.

.Timber Hitch

For securing a rope to squared timber, round logs, etc. A good starting knot for all lashings. The standing end must pull straight through the loop, not backwards, or the rope may cut upon itself.

.Halliard Hitch

For fastening a rope to a spar. The sketch shows the hitch open. When pulled taut, and the hitches closed, it makes a very neat and secure fastening.

.Blackwall Hitch

A quick way to secure a rope to a hook. The strain on the standing end will hold the rope secure to the hook.

.Noose Hitch

This is a quick and easy method of securing a rope to a spar or beam. If desired, the rope can be made more secure by means of the overhand knot shown in Fig. 2.

.Cat's Paw Hitch

For securing a rope to a hook or a spar. It is most useful because it is so easily tied.

.Lark's Head

This is an easy method of securing a rope to a ring or hook. If desired to make more secure, it can be stoppered, as shown, with an overhand or thumb knot.

.Crossover Lark's Head

Used for purposes above.

.Double Lark's Head

The bight is first made. The ends passed through it. This knot is very secure.

.Triple Lark's Head

The apparently complicated knot is easily made by taking the bight of the rope through the ring, the ends are passed through the bight and up through the ring, then down through its own bight. Like the double lark's head, this knot is absolutely secure.

.Sailor's Backhand Knot

Used to secure a rope to a ring or hook. This is very similar to the rolling hitch and sailor's backhand knot (alternative variation).

.Sailor's Knot

Simply two half hitches round the standing end of the rope.

.Gunner's Knot

This is simply a carrick bend and used to hold two shackles or rings together.