Knots

7 Knots That You Should Know

Square Knot:

The square knot is quite popular in scouting. It is usually the first knot that a scout is taught because of its simplicity. It is also featured in many different awards that are presented or earned by members of the scouting community.

I can still hear my patrol leader mumbling the words to me… “Right over left, left over right and you’re done!”

7 Knots That Every Eagle Scout Knows And So Should You

The square knot was originally taught to me as a way of binding 2 ropes together that were of equal diameter. After years of tying the square knot I would rather use other knots for that purpose.

What I do like about the square knot is it’s ability to make a great First-Aid knot for tying cravats and bandages. It cinches well with items such as a shemagh and bandanas. It also comes apart rapidly when needed. All that you have to do is pull on the 2 ends and slide the knot through.

Sheet Bend Knot:

The sheet bend is used to tie 2 ropes together. Initially in the Boy Scouts, we were taught that a square knot was used for binding two ropes that were of equal diameter, while the sheet bend was used to tie 2 ropes that were not of equal diameter.

After plenty of practice and experimentation, I would say that the sheet bend would be my go-to knot for tying 2 ropes together over the square knot… Regardless of their diameter. As long as both ropes are under a load (tension from opposite ends) the sheet bend is certainly a capable knot for the job.

7 Knots That Every Eagle Scout Knows And So Should You

Just like many knots that I have learned to tie, the sheet bend has its origins in seamanship. The sheet bend would be used in bending ropes to sails or sheets. It is also a great knot to use for mending fishing nets that have come apart.

Sheep Shank Knot:

One lesson that I learned from the boy scouts, that I find myself conveying to NTC Members, is to NEVER cut your rope unless it’s a must! Tying separate pieces of ropes together with knots is an option but if you can keep your cordage in one piece, it will greatly increase the integrity of your rope.

With the use of the sheepshank knot, you can shorten the length of your rope and also use it to remove excess slack. Keep in mind that this knot will come apart if both ends of your rope are not taught.

7 Knots That Every Eagle Scout Knows And So Should You

Basically, if I have both ends of my rope tied to a tree and the middle of the rope is loose, I tie the sheepshank knot in the middle which enables me to shorten the rope, hence, removing the slack. This keeps my rope in one piece which gives me much more stability with future projects when I am utilizing that same rope. As people focussed on preparedness, we want our gear to be as functional as possible. In an emergency, we will not be able to order new cordage from Amazon or visit our local, big box store. Keep your knife away from your rope and you will find yourself at a greater advantage when in a survival scenario.

Clove Hitch Knot:

A clove hitch can be used to tie off the running end of your rope. If you need to adjust your rope, a clove hitch is a good knot to utilize for that purpose. However, my main purpose for the clove hitch is for when I am lashing.

Lashing is used to join structures together using rope. Lashing can be used for scaffolding, fences, building shelters and pretty much anything else that you can conjure up.

7 Knots That Every Eagle Scout Knows And So Should You

The clove hitch is key because it is used to begin and even end, various types of lashing. The 4 types of lashing that I use the clove hitch knot for are round, square, tripod and shear lashing.

Bowline Knot:

The bowline knot was taught to me as a rescue knot. At our annual Klondike Derby, where boy scouts from various troop compete against each other in scouting skills competitions, we would have to rescue one of our fellow patrol members utilizing a bowline. The scenario was that he had been stranded on thin ice while aboard his sled. We would have to throw him a rope as we held onto the one end. The scout being rescued would have to tie a proper bowline around his waist and we would pull him and his sled across the thin ice mimicking an actual rescue.

The bowline is also a simple knot to tie. You form the letter “b” with one end of the rope. You then grab the other end a picture a rabbit coming out of the hole in the “b” he then goes around the tree “stem of letter b” and back into the hole of the letter “b.”

7 Knots That Every Eagle Scout Knows And So Should You

It is a bit easier to tie the bowline with 2 ends of the rope, But in our Klondike Derby, the person being rescued had to work with only when end of the rope and tie a bowline around themselves. That version was a bit more complicated but still relatively easy after a bit of practice.

Taut-line Hitch:

The taut-line hitch is an adjustable knot which is viable for maintaining tension on your rope. Because of that feature, it makes a great knot for cinching down your tent lines. Using that same principle, I also use the taut-line hitch for tying down my tarps and rain flies.

7 Knots That Every Eagle Scout Knows And So Should You

The fact that it is adjustable, makes it ideal for repositioning your shelter or other gear used for protection from the elements. Instead of having to re-tie your knots, especially in bad weather, you can just quickly adjust your taut-line hitch.

Timber Hitch:

The timber hitch is another knot that I find myself using often while I’m in the field. It is useful for me when I am dragging big logs to my campsite. This is key when I need serious fuel for my campfires. With the use of the timber hitch, I save time and energy by getting my fuel to my saw & axe area in one maneuver.

If I cut my fuel into manageable pieces that I can carry, it would take multiple trips for me to get the job done. I would also have to saw or chop my wood in a place where it may be unsafe to perform those duties. With the use of the timber hitch, I can prepare my campfire fuel in a designated and safe environment. I can also utilize bigger pieces of wood due to the close proximity to my fire ring as opposed to cutting according to what I can carry.

7 Knots That Every Eagle Scout Knows And So Should You

The timber hitch also plays a big role in lashing. When using diagonal lashing for my projects, it begins with the timber hitch.