Hitches
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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:
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.![]()
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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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.![]()
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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.
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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.![]()
Compare this with the Buntline Hitch.
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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.![]()
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.
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:
Consider visiting some of my other websites!
You'll find a Christian ministry with dozens and dozens of articles and answers to many questions that I have received over the years (please feel free to send me your questions and prayer requests!); plus a collection of some of the best self-working card tricks around (no sleight-of-hand required!); plus a bunch of amazing/funny/fascinating/interesting videos from around the Web which are all clean and family-friendly; plus lots of reviews of numerous fun and educational (and free!) computer games that you can download; plus a huge collection of cool science tricks and other fun stuff to try (using things around the house), and more!
For a complete list, go to http://www.Layhands.com/DavesWebsites.htm.
Hope you like 'em!
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