Skills:What are more useful Hitches or Loops?

psy-ops

psy-ops

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Sep 27, 1999
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One thing, I am having a good time doing this summer is learning new knots.

It occurred to me that Hitches seem more useful than loops. I am not saying you don't need to learn loops, just that hitches are more useful.
 
the knots that i commonly use are the bowline, the butterfly, the slipknot and the sheetbend.

i have had very few instances where i wished for anything else so i have never really put much effort into learning new knots...maybe i should though.

someone like doc should be through soon to help you out...
 
The double half hitch can handle about 90% of the time a hitch is required, and do it as well or better than most others. Easy to tie, doesn't jam or slip and best of all you can tie and untie it under load. That's something most others cannot do.
 
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psy-ops said:
One thing, I am having a good time doing this summer is learning new knots.

It occurred to me that Hitches seem more useful than loops. I am not saying you don't need to learn loops, just that hitches are more useful.
Click to expand...

Depends completely on the application. Would you say that hammers are more useful than screwdrivers? Or vise versa? Each knot, like each screwdriver and hammer, have their purpose. Sometimes you can get by using a tool that's not quite the right one, and sometimes knot! :D

Doc
 
I use hitches and loops about eqaully. The boline and clove hitch getting the most use.
 
DOC-CANADA said:
Depends completely on the application. Would you say that hammers are more useful than screwdrivers? Or vise versa? Each knot, like each screwdriver and hammer, have their purpose. Sometimes you can get by using a tool that's not quite the right one, and sometimes knot! :D

Doc
Click to expand...

Ha Doc - I see a trick question you have there. Hammers and screwdrivers are both knot useful in the bush :p

Good thread psy-ops. I looked up ThomasJ's link and learned the sliding grip hitch knot today!
 
Doc, first I just wanted to start a conversation about knots. Second, I find myself using hitches more. One could say that electricians use screw drivers more than hammers and carpenters use hammers more than screw drivers. As a general rule.

But mostly it was to converse on Knots. I love them! and their practice dovetails nicely into my life at the moment.
 
psy-ops said:
Doc, first I just wanted to start a conversation about knots. Second, I find myself using hitches more. One could say that electricians use screw drivers more than hammers and carpenters use hammers more than screw drivers. As a general rule.

But mostly it was to converse on Knots. I love them! and their practice dovetails nicely into my life at the moment.
Click to expand...

Sounds good to me. Like you, I too love knots and practise them regularly. However, I don't think you're going to get a lot of action. The only threads here, that have long lives, are equipment threads, not skills.

Doc
 
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Yeah, This is true. I can get into gear with the best of them. I should have posted pictures of the different knots in action.

I use the hitch when I travel for clothes lines and hangin' stuff. Oh yeah tying furniture down while moving. I am still recovering from that.

Loops not so much. When do you use a loop?
 
I'm with Doc Canada on this one. Both hitches and loops have their place. I'm also with him about the fact gear threads last longer than skills threads. Why is that? Time for a new post and an idea.
 
The Clove Line Hitch is the foundation of almost every lash I've ever done.

The taut line hitch is used on all my tents. And I used the hell out of it tying down planes on the airport too.
 
psy-ops said:
Loops not so much. When do you use a loop?
Click to expand...

OK, I'll start you off with two (that I've already posted). You're setting up a tarp and the only place you can tie off to is the base of some scratchy brambles, so you crawl in there and make a turn with your anchor rope, crawl out and bleed, and since you sure don't want to go back in there to untie, you use a spilled-hitch bowline (you'd probably make it slippery so it's easy to untie). The knot does not pull up tight so there is no need to crawl back in there when you're breaking camp.

SpilledHitchBowline.jpg


You could also use a taut-line hitch, camel hitch, etc. for the adjustability but it is still a loop, just an adjustable one.

-----------------------------------------

Next scenario, you're camped beside a run of fast water. You go over to the edge to pull out your stringer of beer, slip and fall in the water. This fast run terminates in a 30 foot drop.

One of the two Playboy bunnies that you're with, hears you screaming like a little girl, runs over and throws you a rope. The rope, however, doesn't have a loop at the end to hold onto, and you and the rope are wet, therefore it is slippery and hard to hold onto.

Remembering this discussion, and because you took the time to learn the following knot (one handed bowline) you quickly tie a bowline around yourself, and Crystal and Amber pull you to safety.

Considering the loss that might have been, Crystal and Amber are all over you, happy in the knowledge that you will be there, tonight, in the community sleeping bag, to help keep them warm. ;)

One-HandedBowline.jpg


In this scenario, say you're right-handed, you would hold the standing part with your left hand and tie the knot around yourself with your right hand as you're floating along to the drop-off :(.

Doc
 
Still not convinced? How about these?

torChris1.jpg


forChris2.jpg


That do? There are lots more. :D

I should have also placed an arrow pointing at the fixed loop that the snare loop is sliding through.

Doc
 
See psy-ops, just about dead already. If you want to discuss knots feel free to email me. Coote and I did the knot thing for a month or two. Very informative.

If there's anybody else interested, we can do a group email, otherwise...............did I tell you I ordered a new knife today???? :D

Doc
 
very interesting posts here on different knots, and thanks doc for those diagrams. i need to get busy practicing the one handed bowline.

i think the reason that gear threads last longer than skills threads is that there is only so much theory behind skills-you really just have to get out and practice. with gear, you can argue all different kinds of pros and cons of this or that...skills work or they don't...sortof.
 
siguy said:
very interesting posts here on different knots, and thanks doc for those diagrams. i need to get busy practicing the one handed bowline.

i think the reason that gear threads last longer than skills threads is that there is only so much theory behind skills-you really just have to get out and practice. with gear, you can argue all different kinds of pros and cons of this or that...skills work or they don't...sortof.
Click to expand...

That is a good point Siguy.

Doc, what new knife did you order? See I love gear.

BTW, I almost got fire. Man, really dark dark coal but no ember. Finally got a good combo. I told my son I would buy him ice cream if I got it. He was cheering me on big time.
 
Keep working at that fire - it will come!

Don't say I didn't try to keep your thread alive. A couple more for you to play with. These go by different names, but I call them the Bungee Bend, and specially for you, the Bungee Loop! I call them that because they are a couple of the few knots that work for Bungee/Shock cords. If you ever go through a Canadian Tire/Home Depot/Lowes around Hamilton and see the roll of Bungee cord with a loop tied at the end, you know I was there! :D

They also work well in other material that don't take knots well, although they can also be used in jute, 550 and anything else.

Bungee Bend:

ViceVersaAKABungeeBend.jpg


And the 'psy-ops Bungee Loop':

BungeeLoop.jpg



Doc
 
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