Fifteen Knots for Fieldcraft.

Talfuchre said:
I have eliminated the Sheepshank knot because it sucks with modern rope. TF
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I don't think I've ever needed the Sheepshank but if you like the knot, but like TF, are turned off by it with modern rope, try tying it with a toggle. (like the top end of this toggled trucker's hitch).

ToggledTruckersHitch.jpg


Doc
 
Primitive,

I think your argument is philosophical - I had indeed blended Survival and Woods Craft into Bushcraft. I see what you mean.

TF
 
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Rockywolf said:
I agree except I'd replace the Clove with the Lineman's knot. I have been practicing and don't see the need to use a million knots when a few will suffice.
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That's funny - I would rather have the sheet bend rather than the square knot. It will work with both different size cordarge and same sized cordage.

I include both because the Sheet Bend cannot be tied under load. The Reef (square) cannot.

The reality is, if you know either - you know the other.

I think that what matters here is that you KNOW what they are used for and you know how to use them.

TF
 
Talfuchre said:
I think that what matters here is that you KNOW what they are used for and you know how to use them.
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Agreed, …knowing the mechanics of tying the knots is only half the equation, the key is knowing how and where to employee the different knots.




"If you're not living on the edge, …you're taking up too much space."

Big Mike
 
Rockywolf said:
I agree except I'd replace the Clove with the Lineman's knot. I have been practicing and don't see the need to use a million knots when a few will suffice.
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Hey Rockywolf, do you have a picture of your Lineman's knot? The Lineman's knots that I am familiar with are both loops:

SingleLinemansLoop.jpg


DoubleLinemansLoop.jpg


Actually, I think knots should have Latin names to avoid confusion, like plants :rolleyes:.

Fiddleback: I think a man can get along with 4 knots.

1. Square knot
2. Bowline
3. Clove Hitch
4. Taut Line Hitch

The rest are gravy.
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Hey Andy, actually most men get along with one knot (for their shoelaces). When they have to tie a tie, they call their wives/girlfriends. Weird, isn't it. I regularly tie about 60 knots (for practice) but could never remember how to tie a tie. :confused:

Each knot is a specialized tool and I think I have heard you say "the right tool for the job", at least I think I have.

Saying that a man can get along with 4 knots is like saying all you need in your tool box is a hammer, screwdriver, vise grips and side cutters. Sure, most men get away with this, but then, a lot don't. It all depends on your needs.

Like Don referred to, knots are wonderful tools because all you need is a piece of rope and the rest can be carried in your head.

One other thing, for those that want to learn more knots, and learn them better, a tool I used to use is a Word document with the list of knots and all the knot names are hyperlinked to a picture of that knot in another folder. I would use the list to remind me of which knots I wanted to practise, and if I forgot how to tie it, a click on the name and the picture came up. (Yes, I know, I obsess :o)

And Talfuchre, cudos to you for bring up a subject that is actually germane to wilderness skills and survival.

Doc
 
BTW,

www.animatedknots.com is an EXCELLENT training tool for teaching how to tie knots.

They show well over 100 knots being tied, from the albright to the woggle with actual rope and no hands in the way to confuse the picture, step by step.
 
I am a bit surprised no one has mentioned the jam knot. For bushcrafters, it is the most used constrictor knot for lashing things together.

I looked online but only found it mentioned as a fly fishing knot which is not the same knot. I'll try to make a quick video of it in the next couple of days if instructions on it don't pop up.
 
I don't see the two-half hitch knot mentioned. This is the one that is in the Boyscout of America Book. It is very practical to tie things to a post like a clothesline, which it is important to keep the gear dry when out in the woods.
 
Two half-hitches makes a good knot. Once it has been under tension, it can be difficult to untie. An Anchor Bend is a variation of two half-hitches and is sometimes considered a "permanent knot."
 
I too am very weak at knots, I picked up a pack of thes knot cards from a sporting goods store, they were either in the survival section or the boating area. They are about credit card size and are grometted together. I keep them in the pouch with my military compass. I attached a small length of 550 cord so I can practice. It serves 2 purposes, one it gives me a visual reference for when I need to tie a knot and it gives me something to keep my hands busy when I have down time on a camping trip or plane ride. Less than $5 and well worth it.
 
An excellent book to get is The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Knots & Ropework by Geoffery Budworth. Interesting in that it mentions that the sheet bend (though still very useful) is neither strong nor secure. It reduces the strenghth of lines by 55%. The book has great photos and explains the uses and strength of various knots, bends, hitches etc..

An excellent and easy one to learn is the "Simple Simon Under" Super for securing difffernt cord sizes together including slippery synthetics.
 
There is a revised and expanded version of Des Pawson's book released in 2004 with 16 more pages.
 
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Hiya Sr. Gringo. Yah, I have both editions. I linked to the "Expanded" edition in my post, but it looks like it's out of print. I almost bought "The Complete Visual Guide", but it didn't look like it had many/any additional knots, but was rather the same material in a slightly different format. I've also got a few of Budworth's books, but I find the illustrations in Pawson's to be more clear. YMMV
 
I like the list posted by Fiddleback , I would add the figure-eight also,it so easy to undo after putting a lot of strain i.e. loops for securing loads when moving
 
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