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I need to know 'em. What books do you all recommend to learn the knots essential to survival skills?
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Knots,
- Thread starter RancidSumo
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I would like to be able to include the book in my kit so I have it if I can't remember something.
I will check that out though, thanks.
I will check that out though, thanks.
I don't think you really need a book, they go way too deep (variations and decorative knots) just get you a set of knot cards. They're cheap, weatherproof, easily portable and they will have all the essential knots you need to know.
Here's a link for you...
http://www.knotcards.com/html/rope_knot_cards.html
david
Here's a link for you...
http://www.knotcards.com/html/rope_knot_cards.html
david
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The Morrow guide to knots is pretty good.
Small, packable paperback that is pretty informative. Good color pictures.
Carl-
Small, packable paperback that is pretty informative. Good color pictures.
Carl-
C Bryant
Gold Member
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Handbook of Knots by Des Pawson. Great book.
http://www.despawson.com/books corr.html
His other book is pretty good too, but I only own the other one.
http://www.despawson.com/books corr.html
His other book is pretty good too, but I only own the other one.
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Check out your local outdoors store. I got a small knot guide called "Pro-Knot" that is about the size of a credit card. It has 6 small cards with a knot on each side. I pick a knot to try every time I go out. Hopefully I will have mastery of at least a few basic knots soon.
http://www.proknot.com/html/knot_cards.html
That is the card I have. It looks like they now have an iPhone application as well.
http://www.proknot.com/html/knot_cards.html
That is the card I have. It looks like they now have an iPhone application as well.
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I have one of these and it's pretty nice. I know REI sells them. I think they were by the maps but they move stuff around a lot.
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Might be overkill for what you're after, but if you're like me and find knots fascinating, you can't beat the Ashley Book of Knots. Has quite a few knots I'll never use, along with all of the usuals. I've found several uncommon knots in this book that are very useful in specific situations. Also some that I like better than the typical ones used for common wilderness tasks.
There are millions of knots out there that will do the job, but you really only need to know 4 or 5, maybe 6. Just learn them well & practice. The good news is you probably know most of those already. Overhand knot, figure 8, bowline (which is basically a figure 8 as a loop), a bend, & a hitch. Once you recognize the pattern, there are bunches of knots that are just little variations on the same idea.
You will learn more from a website like animated knots than you will from the cards. That site is especially good b/c it shows things from different sides & as mirror images.
You will learn more from a website like animated knots than you will from the cards. That site is especially good b/c it shows things from different sides & as mirror images.
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I picked up a little card that had a dozen or so of the crucial knots and I bring it with me when I camp. I attach a small amount of paracord to it - and I just practice. If I need a knot - I have the card - and can use it. It is great. I got it at REI.
TF
TF
Sometimes when you need a knot there is no time to haul out the handbook.
I fancy myself as quite good with knots, yet there are a couple that I still have to think about.... so in an emergency I generally fall back on what I know well. I think it is best to be so well practiced you can tie them in the dark or under very stressful conditions.
Still, it is good to have a book for reference and something interesting to read. I think that the internet provides some of the best knot knowledge.... although it is best to compare sites to make sure that the person who posted the knot has got it right.
For starters I recommend:
For a secure loop on the end of a rope:
1. Bowline (Easy to untie. Also consider the Dutch bowline where the tail end stays outside the loop.)
2. Perfection loop (suits some cordage better I think, and looks nice).
Secure loop for middle of rope:
1. Butterfly knot or linesman's loop
Joining ropes:
1. Zeppelin bend
2. Fisherman's bend (the double version is a nice knot for adapting for other purposes).
Tying rope to objects:
1. Clove hitch. (Good on its own, plus it is the basis of other useful knots).
2. Round turn and two half hitches (I use this a lot for tying a boat to the wharf etc)
3. Buntline hitch. (The slipped version is excellent for untying quickly if you do it right).
4. Timber hitch. (I hardly would call this a knot, but very useful if you have to drag a log with a lot of force. Easy to undo. Also a good bow string knot).
Other useful knots:
1. Reef knot. (Don't rely on this in dangerous situations, but good for reefing sails or tying packages).
2. Butcher's knot. (Good for binding up a rolled roast, or a package, or a bundle of hose etc).
3. Midshipman's hitch or tautline hitch. (Fantastic knot if you need adjustable tension on something like tent guy ropes).
4. Constrictor knot. (This sucker really tightens and grabs. I've used it as a hose clamp).
5. Various fishing knots.
6. Trucker's hitch. (Good for securing a load because you use it to tighten the rope down).
Clove hitch:
Round turn and two half hitches (the two 'half hitches' are actually a clove hitch which is tied around the main part of the rope):
Zeppelin bend. I love this one. It takes a bit of thinking about until you are used to it, but it is secure and relatively easy to untie.
Timber hitch:
Slipped buntline hitch. If the tail of this knot ends up in the wrong place, it can be more difficult to undo.... but it is still a great knot:
Common bowline. I use this for all sorts of things including the running eye of my snares (although I often use the Dutch version because the tail end stays outside the eye. Either will work though.):
Good topic. Best wishes.... Coote.
I fancy myself as quite good with knots, yet there are a couple that I still have to think about.... so in an emergency I generally fall back on what I know well. I think it is best to be so well practiced you can tie them in the dark or under very stressful conditions.
Still, it is good to have a book for reference and something interesting to read. I think that the internet provides some of the best knot knowledge.... although it is best to compare sites to make sure that the person who posted the knot has got it right.
For starters I recommend:
For a secure loop on the end of a rope:
1. Bowline (Easy to untie. Also consider the Dutch bowline where the tail end stays outside the loop.)
2. Perfection loop (suits some cordage better I think, and looks nice).
Secure loop for middle of rope:
1. Butterfly knot or linesman's loop
Joining ropes:
1. Zeppelin bend
2. Fisherman's bend (the double version is a nice knot for adapting for other purposes).
Tying rope to objects:
1. Clove hitch. (Good on its own, plus it is the basis of other useful knots).
2. Round turn and two half hitches (I use this a lot for tying a boat to the wharf etc)
3. Buntline hitch. (The slipped version is excellent for untying quickly if you do it right).
4. Timber hitch. (I hardly would call this a knot, but very useful if you have to drag a log with a lot of force. Easy to undo. Also a good bow string knot).
Other useful knots:
1. Reef knot. (Don't rely on this in dangerous situations, but good for reefing sails or tying packages).
2. Butcher's knot. (Good for binding up a rolled roast, or a package, or a bundle of hose etc).
3. Midshipman's hitch or tautline hitch. (Fantastic knot if you need adjustable tension on something like tent guy ropes).
4. Constrictor knot. (This sucker really tightens and grabs. I've used it as a hose clamp).
5. Various fishing knots.
6. Trucker's hitch. (Good for securing a load because you use it to tighten the rope down).
Clove hitch:
Round turn and two half hitches (the two 'half hitches' are actually a clove hitch which is tied around the main part of the rope):
Zeppelin bend. I love this one. It takes a bit of thinking about until you are used to it, but it is secure and relatively easy to untie.
Timber hitch:
Slipped buntline hitch. If the tail of this knot ends up in the wrong place, it can be more difficult to undo.... but it is still a great knot:
Common bowline. I use this for all sorts of things including the running eye of my snares (although I often use the Dutch version because the tail end stays outside the eye. Either will work though.):
Good topic. Best wishes.... Coote.
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Excellent guys, I've been looking around for something like this for a long time! :thumbup:
I would just stick to getting a small book or a set of the cards. I love the Ashley Book of Knots but it just has too many and gets really confusing. I found it a lot easier to just flip through something small and play around with the knots that look useful.
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Square Knot, Clove Hitch/2 Half Hitches, 3 Half Hitches, Bowline, Sheet Bend, Timber Hitch are the only knots I use really.
Also become familiar with the Shear Lashing and Square Lashing. The diagonal lashing isn't bad either but not as useful to me and uses more rope.
Also become familiar with the Shear Lashing and Square Lashing. The diagonal lashing isn't bad either but not as useful to me and uses more rope.
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Now that's a cool site. Thanks for posting it.