Just wondering if anyone has any favorite knots. IMHO a good knot holds and is easy to untie unless in isn’t meant to be untied. Here are the ones I try to remember and practice occasionally
Bends- Square knot, Zeppelin, and Sheet
Hitch- Adjustable grip, which is easier to remember then a tauntline for me anyway, Timber hitch, and of course the double half hitch
Loops- Butterfly, Figure 8, Bowline
These are the knots I try to keep in my wheelhouse. When it comes down to it knots are a good bang for the buck, if know a few.
I tried to remember all the mnemonics, like “The rabbit goes into the hole, then out of the hole, then around the tree, then back into the hole…”, but all I get as a result are Gordian knots.
I used to practice several knots, but have forgotten many.
My most used knot is an adjustable hitch. I usually prefer the Blake’s hitch. It is used commonly by arborists. You can make variations of the knot by varying the number of turns you make, and the number of turns you then slip the free end through. I experimented with several adjustable hitches for use with the slippery UHMWPE cords like dyneema and spectra, and found the Blake’s hitch to hold the best, with many turns (5 or more), and slipping the free end through just one of the turns.
I like the butterfly loop for its versatility. It can be tied in a stretch of rope without using an end, and it can be loaded in any direction while remaining relatively easy to untie.
For those interested in the state of the art of knotting check out the international guild of knot tyers forum.
When I was reading the forum a lot several years ago I witnessed the invention of a type of binding knot that is amazingly simple and effective. I will update with details of the knot later.
Edit: in this thread
I’m one of those people who suffer from knot memory impairment syndrome (I’m a computer programmer living in suburbia). I have spent years as a Webelos and 11 year-old scout leader, and EVERY SINGLE TIME we get to knots, I have to practice every knot beforehand from the manual. I don’t use them much, and they don’t stick in my brain.
My favorite harness tie in knot is the Yosemite bowline. Other useful knots for climbing: bowline, double loop bowline, clove hitch, alpine butterfly, mariners knot and munter hitch (not really a knot).
Thanks for that one, I didn’t know about it. I use loops of cords for prusik knots but it’s nice to know of a single strand option.
Lightbringer, that would be the bowline knot - one of my favorites! Great for making a secure but temporary loop. It can be pulled apart easily but won't close on itself. Used extensively in rescue situations. So all serious mountain climbers, etc. can ties it one handed as shown in these videos:
Damn, I have so much to learn here :heart_eyes:
But you guys opened so many gates of hell with these links and knots’ names :smiling_imp:
I’m a rookie on knots and paracord stuff, and the one I do most of the times is the simple “cobra knot”. I make some bracelets, cat’s collars and also necklages sometimes…
So, thanks for showing me some more things