The Most Useful Rope Knots
for the Average Person to Know

Hitches




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Site Map

If you have never visited this website before then I would recommend that you begin at the Home Page. It explains that the type of rope you use, the age of the rope, the wear and tear on the rope, the types of knots you tie, whether you tied the knots properly or not, whether you "dressed" the knots properly or not, whether you "set" the knots properly or not, and so on, all have an impact on the Safe Working Load of your rope and the security of the knots you tie. Whatever risks are associated with the rope or string that you use and the knots that you tie, remember that the risks are entirely your own.

Here is a list of the articles in this series. Every link will open up in a new window to give you more control as you browse around in this website:

 

Hitches

A "hitch" is often defined as a knot which is used when tying a rope to something. However, a stricter definition is that a hitch has the ability to conform to the size of the object to which it is tied.

If you don't tie knots in rope very often then it might be difficult to remember which knot to use, and how to tie it properly, when you need to tie a rope to something. Therefore, it's a good idea to learn one or two strong hitches which you can remember easily. My preference is the Adjustable Grip Hitch, for reasons which I'll describe throughout this article. For some "specialty" hitches, see the Miscellaneous Knots section.

Be sure to practice tying your favorite knots periodically (from different angles) so that you'll know how to tie them when you need them.

  1. Adjustable Grip Hitch
    This is a quick, easy, secure, and versatile hitch.

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    KnotMaker drawing (Download the KnotMaker drawing):

    This knot is about as easy to tie as most hitches, but it grips better than many hitches. The beauty of this knot, and several other knots on this page, is that you can slide it up or down the rope (in order to tighten a tent rope, for example) and it will continue to grip wherever it is moved. The Tarbuck Knot and the Tautline Hitch (Midshipman's Hitch) are also good slide-and-grip knots, but in my experience they are not as easy to dress and set as the Adjustable Grip Hitch, and they don't seem to grip as well.

    According to Budworth, "This practical slide-and-grip knot can be grasped and shifted easily by hand in either direction but locks up firmly under load. After the load is removed, the knot may be slid along the rope again. The momentum of a fall will cause the knot to slide and so absorb energy. ... Later tests involving 5.5-mm (1/4-in) Kevlar indicated that, when used as adjustable bends, these knots grip (i.e., do not slip) and break at around 80% of the absolute rupture load of the material used. This figure may be an underestimate." (The Complete Book of Knots, p.95).

    To make it easier to untie, I prefer to "slip" the knot. In other words, instead of passing the end of the rope through the knot when completing the knot, I often push a bight (a doubled rope) through instead. For more on "slipping" a knot, see the Slip Knot.

    If you don't tie knots in rope very often then one general-purpose hitch such as the Adjustable Grip Hitch might be the only hitch you'll need for a wide variety of purposes.

     

  2. Back Hand Hitch or ABOK #1725
    The Back Hand Hitch is an easy way to pass a rope once around an object and yet create two loops for a double hold on the object.

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    KnotMaker drawing (Download the KnotMaker drawing):

    This is an easy way to form a double loop around an object for extra security. However, the drawback is that if it is not drawn up snugly then it might create a lot of friction where the rope rubs against itself, which can damage and weaken the rope. Also see the Axle Hitch.

    If you don't tie knots in rope very often then one general-purpose hitch such as the Adjustable Grip Hitch might be the only hitch you'll need for a wide variety of purposes.

     

  3. Buntline Hitch or ABOK #1711
    This is essentially a reversed Two Half Hitches.

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    KnotMaker drawing (Download the KnotMaker drawing):

    Since the second Half Hitch is jammed inside of the first Half Hitch, this is a more secure hitch than Two Half Hitches. However, it can be difficult to untie unless it is "slipped" (for an example of "slipping" a knot, see the Slip Knot).

    If you don't tie knots in rope very often then one general-purpose hitch such as the Adjustable Grip Hitch might be the only hitch you'll need for a wide variety of purposes.

     

  4. Clove Hitch or ABOK #1178
    The Clove Hitch is a popular hitch that is easy to tie, but it is not considered to be as reliable as some of the other hitches. This is essentially Two Half Hitches tied around an object.

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    KnotMaker drawing (Download the KnotMaker drawing):

    According to Budworth, "If pulled around, the clove hitch can work loose. Perversely, it can also jam when wet. Its breaking strength is variously quoted as between 60% and 75%." (The Complete Book of Knots, p.48).

    If you don't tie knots in rope very often then one general-purpose hitch such as the Adjustable Grip Hitch might be the only hitch you'll need for a wide variety of purposes.

     

  5. Constrictor Knot or ABOK #1189
    The Constrictor Knot is often considered to be the best and most secure of all of the binding type of knots. Budworth says that "This is the best of all binding knots." (The Complete Book of Knots, p.136).

    To tie this knot, start with a Clove Hitch as in picture 1, then bring the end of the rope back through the first turn (picture 2). Dress and set the knot (picture 3).

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    KnotMaker drawing (Download the KnotMaker drawing):

    When the Constrictor Knot is tied on a convex surface such as a post, it grips like a boa-constrictor (which is how it got its name). However, it can be very difficult to untie this knot.

    If you don't tie knots in rope very often then one general-purpose hitch such as the Adjustable Grip Hitch might be the only hitch you'll need for a wide variety of purposes.

     

  6. Fisherman's Bend or Anchor Bend or ABOK #1723 or ABOK #1841
    The Fisherman's Bend is actually a hitch, not a bend (a "bend" is a knot which is used to tie two ends of rope together, such as the Fisherman's Knot). Compare this with the Round Turn and Two Half Hitches.

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    KnotMaker drawing (Download the KnotMaker drawing):

    According to Budworth, "this knot is misleadingly named. It is actually a strong-ish (70-75%) and secure hitch for wet and slimy conditions." (The Complete Book of Knots, p.53).

    If you don't tie knots in rope very often then one general-purpose hitch such as the Adjustable Grip Hitch might be the only hitch you'll need for a wide variety of purposes.

     

  7. Highwayman's Hitch
    This is a quick-release hitch which easily comes apart when you pull the end of the rope. To tie this knot, pass a bight (a doubled rope) around the object (picture 1), then take the main part of the rope and push a bight through the first bight (picture 2). Now take the end of the rope and push a bight through the second bight (picture 3), and tighten the knot (picture 4). When you need to untie the hitch, simply pull the end of the rope and the quick-release knot will completely fall apart.

    -1 -2 -3 -4

    KnotMaker drawing (Download the KnotMaker drawing):

    This knot is described in a number of books and websites, but notice how easily it can come apart when you pull on the main part of the rope. Therefore, I don't recommend using this knot.

    If you don't tie knots in rope very often then one general-purpose hitch such as the Adjustable Grip Hitch might be the only hitch you'll need for a wide variety of purposes.

     

  8. Lark's Head Hitch or Cow Hitch or Lanyard Hitch or ABOK #1673
    This is generally considered to be one of the least secure hitches.

    The pull needs to come equally from both ends of the rope. If the pull will only come from one end of the rope then pass the other end of the rope through the hitch to secure it. This is often called the Pedigree Cow Hitch:

    If both ends of the rope are already attached to something then you can create the Lark's Head Hitch by using an object (such as a screwdriver) as a toggle:

    If you don't tie knots in rope very often then one general-purpose hitch such as the Adjustable Grip Hitch might be the only hitch you'll need for a wide variety of purposes.

     

  9. Pile Hitch or ABOK #1815
    If the top of a post is available then you can simply wrap a bight of rope (a doubled rope) around the post and throw the loop over the top of the post.

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    If you don't tie knots in rope very often then one general-purpose hitch such as the Adjustable Grip Hitch might be the only hitch you'll need for a wide variety of purposes.

     

  10. Rolling Hitch or Magnus Hitch or ABOK #1681
    The Rolling Hitch is similar to the Clove Hitch, but it is considered to be more secure.

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    KnotMaker drawing (Download the KnotMaker drawing):

    According to Budworth, the pull on the rope needs to be in the direction shown in picture 3 (The Complete Book of Knots, p.49).

    If you don't tie knots in rope very often then one general-purpose hitch such as the Adjustable Grip Hitch might be the only hitch you'll need for a wide variety of purposes.

     

  11. Round Turn and Two Half Hitches or ABOK #1720
    This is considered to be a good hitch in most circumstances. Compare this with the Fisherman's Bend.

    -1 -2 -3

    KnotMaker drawing (Download the KnotMaker drawing):

    According to Budworth, "The two half-hitches have a breaking strength of 60-75%, but the round turn may increase that percentage." (The Complete Book of Knots, p.52).

    If you don't tie knots in rope very often then one general-purpose hitch such as the Adjustable Grip Hitch might be the only hitch you'll need for a wide variety of purposes.

     

  12. Sailor's Gripping Hitch
    This hitch grips well when tied around another rope, or when tied around a smooth (or tapered) surface such as a rod or a spar. First make several round turns as in picture 1, then bring the end of the rope back towards the left over the tops of the round turns (picture 1). Bring the end of the rope down behind the rod, then over on top of the main part of the rope (picture 2). Now bring the end of the rope up behind the rod and over on top of the two strands of rope as in picture 3. Dress and set the knot (picture 4). The pull on the rope should be from the left, as in picture 4.

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    KnotMaker drawing (Download the KnotMaker drawing):

    If you don't tie knots in rope very often then one general-purpose hitch such as the Adjustable Grip Hitch might be the only hitch you'll need for a wide variety of purposes.

     

  13. Sliding Sheet Bend
    This slide-and-grip knot is fairly easy to tie, and it has the added feature of being able to be locked into place. In addition, it is an "exploding" knot because when the "ripcord" (the end of the rope) is pulled, the knot will fall completely apart. This knot is described in greater detail, along with several other "exploding" knots, at Six Exploding Knots.

    To tie this knot, bring the end of the rope around and under itself to form a loop, then place that loop on top of the main part of the rope (picture 1). Now create a bight of rope in the end of the rope, then push that bight under the main part of the rope and over the other side of the loop, as in picture 2. Dress and set the knot as in picture 3, then slide the knot to the desired position on the main part of the rope. When the knot is in position, hold the knot while pulling the strand of rope which is indicated with a blue arrow in picture 4 (pull the rope in the direction that the arrow is pointing). This will create a "hump" in the main part of the rope, which will lock the knot into place (compare pictures 3 and 4). To unlock the knot in order to slide it up or down the main part of the rope, simply loosen the knot until it looks like picture 3 again.

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    -3 -4

    KnotMaker drawing (Download the KnotMaker drawing):

    If you don't tie knots in rope very often then one general-purpose hitch such as the Adjustable Grip Hitch might be the only hitch you'll need for a wide variety of purposes.

     

  14. Tarbuck Knot
    This is another slide-and-grip knot. Personally, I find that the Adjustable Grip Hitch grips better and is easier to tie and dress and set than the Tarbuck Knot.

    -1 -2 -3

    KnotMaker drawing (Download the KnotMaker drawing):

    According to Budworth, "There is only one right way to tie this knot but many wrong ways. Work the entire knot snug before use." (The Complete Book of Knots, p.67).

    If you don't tie knots in rope very often then one general-purpose hitch such as the Adjustable Grip Hitch might be the only hitch you'll need for a wide variety of purposes.

     

  15. Tautline Hitch or Midshipman's Hitch or ABOK #1730
    This is another slide-and-grip knot. Personally, I find that the Adjustable Grip Hitch grips better and is easier to tie and dress and set than the Tautline Hitch.

    -1 -2 -3

    KnotMaker drawing (Download the KnotMaker drawing):

    If you don't tie knots in rope very often then one general-purpose hitch such as the Adjustable Grip Hitch might be the only hitch you'll need for a wide variety of purposes.

     

  16. Two Half Hitches or ABOK #1710
    This is a common hitch which is sometimes used in other hitches such as the Back Hand Hitch, the Clove Hitch, the Constrictor Knot, the Fisherman's Bend, and the Round Turn and Two Half Hitches.

    Compare this with the Buntline Hitch.

    -1 -2

    KnotMaker drawing (Download the KnotMaker drawing):

    If you don't tie knots in rope very often then one general-purpose hitch such as the Adjustable Grip Hitch might be the only hitch you'll need for a wide variety of purposes.

 

Summary

There are numerous types of hitches which are used by sailors, farmers, climbers, etc., for a variety of purposes. However, if you only want to learn one useful hitch, my preference is the Adjustable Grip Hitch.

Be sure to practice tying your favorite knots periodically (from different angles) so that you'll know how to tie them when you need them.

For other people's preferred knots, see the topic called "Best of breed" knots? at the forum of the International Guild of Knot Tyers.

 

Site Map

Here is a list of the articles in this series. Every link will open up in a new window to give you more control as you browse around in this website:

 



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Hope you like 'em!



"The Most Useful Rope Knots for the Average Person to Know -- Hitches"
URL: http://www.Layhands.com/Knots/Knots_Hitches.htm

Modification History
07/19/2009: Added some drawings which were made using the KnotMaker program.
11/17/2006: Added a link to my new page called "Dave's Websites."
10/17/2005: Added the ABOK # to the list of names for each knot (based on Clifford Ashley's The Ashley Book Of Knots). Added the ability to download this entire website (all 9 articles) in a single .ZIP file.
04/24/2005: Added the Sailor's Gripping Hitch.
01/13/2005: Modified some of the wording throughout the article. Added a stricter definition of "hitch." Moved the Alpine Butterfly, Bowline, Double Dragon, and Figure-Eight loop knots to the Single-Loop Knots page. Removed the Exploding Dragon because it might be useful in non-critical applications when it is tied properly, but it is too easy for it to be tied improperly and insecurely. Enhanced the descriptions of the Adjustable Grip Hitch, the Back Hand Hitch, the Buntline Hitch, the Clove Hitch, the Fisherman's Bend, the Highwayman's Hitch, the Round Turn and Two Half Hitches, and the Two Half Hitches. Changed my preferred hitch to the Adjustable Grip Hitch, and added a link to the forum of the International Guild of Knot Tyers in which other people have described their preferred knots.
07/09/2004: Added the Sliding Sheet Bend.
12/10/2002: New article.

Dave Root

Send e-mail to: dave@Layhands.com