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Round Turn and Two Half Hitches This is probably the most used hitch for fastening a rope to a post, spar, tree trunk, etc. This knot is probably the most useful hitch for making fast under strain. It is used for tying a rope with a right-angle pull to a pole or ring. It should be constant under load. (Not under constant load). It does not jam. |
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Figure-of�eight-knot Normally a single strand stopper knot, used when temporary stopper is needed, or when using small stuff. The fig shows the knot, and the method of the tying it will be obvious. Experts consulted state that the Figure-of�eight-Knot Is now the most used knot in climbing ropes. The third fig shows some of the uses of the knot, eg to stop the end of a rope from unfraying and the to stop the end of the rope from passing through the end of a block. |
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Fisherman�s knot or True Lover Knot A useful knot for all small stuff, particularly gut, nylon or similar material used by fishermen, but also for string or cord. It has also found favour with climbers where it is used, for example, to untie the ends of a waist band or to make a loop to use for a Prusik knot. To make it, simply lay the ends of the lines together and tie and overhand knot in each, round the other line (38 and 39). To tighten it, pull on the two standing parts; to loosen it, pull on the two ends. |
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Timber Hitch A very useful and effective hitch. It is used for dragging a cylindrical object (tree branches, etc), for hoisting logs or planks or for towing them, and for commencing some lashings. When an object is being dragged or towed, the Timber Hitch would be made part way along the length and one or two half-hitches made towards the leading end. Figs 80 and 81 show the method of tying, but note that the turns always go with the lay of the rope. |
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Man Harness Knot or Artillery Loop This knot is also known as the Artillery Knot, and it was formerly used in ropes employed in hauling gun carriages; one end on the rope was fastened to a ring on the end of the axle, and Man Harness Knots were made along the length of rope. The soldier could slip his arm in up to the shoulder and haul on the rope, and yet still have both hands free for his hand weapons. To tie it, make a turn with the rope at the appropriate place (50) and pull it down across the standing part (51). Pull the upper part of the turn down, under the standing part and out of the turn, as shown by the arrow in Fig 51. The completed knot is shown in Fig 52. You will find that there is a tendency for the rope to slip when tying, so always leave enough rope in the knot to allow for this until you are an expert. A practical and easy to tie loop for applications needing a loop in another place than the rope-end but somewhere in the middle. It is not as strong as the Butterfly, but is a bit faster to tie and untie. Do not pull the rope too hard when the loop is not loaded. It is best used as temporary knot for carrying things. As always, work up the knot neatly! |
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Rolling Hitch or Magnus and Magner's Hitch A knot used to fasten a light rope to a heavier one when the pull is at an acute angle, for example, when a two rope has to be hauled into position by a throw line. It is also useful to fasten a guy-line to an improvised flag pole or similar pioneering construction. There are two different types of rolling hitches used the one in fig 64, 65 and the other. The knot in fig 64, 65 is identical in form to the Taut-line Hitch, except that one rope is hitched to another instead of itself. The knot in fig 64, 65 is faster and easier to tie, but it having the same hold, this is doubtful. |
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Taut-line hitch or Guy-line Hitch or Midshipman�s Hitch It is an excellent hitch which can be temporary or permanent. It is identical in form to the Rolling Hitch. To tie the knot, form a loop, make a half hitch around the standing part with the end and then make a second half hitch over the first half hitch. For temporary purposes, (eg your own rescue) this is sufficient � just hold the end tightly against the standing part. To make it permanent, make a third half hitch above the two already made. The knot is shown progressively in Figs 43 to 45. This knot is ideal for replacing a broken slider on a guy, or as a binder knot for a bale or roll: it can be made and slipped up tight, then slipped back to loosen the package as and when required. |
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Marlinespike Hitch or Ladder hitch A temporary hitch made with the aid of a marlinespike, a tent peg or other suitable object, when extra strain is needed to heave a small rope taut, as, for example, the runs of a lashing. Made in hand, without a marlinespike, it can be used for grater security in a Sheep Shank or Harvester�s Hitch. The form of the hitch will be apparent from Fig 56. To make it with a spike, lay the spike on the rope and rotate it to make a turn in the rope (53:54). Turn the spike over so as to fold the turn over the standing part (54:55) and then stick it under the bight and up (55). The spike can now be used for a direct pull or as a lever with the point pressing on a fixed object, eg. For tighting frapping on a lashing. Another use for this hitch is as a crossing knot in temporary fencing. Rope ladders or rope barriers: in this case it is usual to make the knot in hand and drop it over the post, finally heaving tight. |