There's always a hitch.....

[DOC-CANADA]

Further to Rescue Riley's thread on simplifying knots, I want to see what your favourite hitch is, and why, along with a picture, sketch or link to make it clear which knot you are referring to (since knots don't have binomials )

Ashley defines a hitch as: "A knot that secures a rope to another object. This can be another rope if the latter is inert."

Probably my favourite and most used hitch is the Buntline Hitch. It's fast to tie, even one -handed, it's very secure, and very easy to untie if made slippery. You will notice it is basically a turn with a clove hitch around the standing part. When tightened, the knot will pull up against the anchor point.

(Please note: no knots are recommended as climbing knots, unless labeled as such - climbing is beyond my realm of experience).

And just to spice up the thread a bit, an experimental hitch made with my aformentioned affection for toggled knots. The toggled hitch does not pull up tight against the anchor point.

One of the purposes of a toggled knot is ease of untying - remove the toggle, the knot disappears. However, depending on the application, the toggle could fall out on its own, thereby untying the knot. You have to match the knot to the application.

If I want a non-toggled hitch, that doesn't pull up tight to the anchor, I use a Spilled Hitch Bowline.

OK, who's next? Remember, this is just for hitches.

When somebody posts a new hitch, try it yourself, a few times - you might find you like it better than the one you've been using.

Doc

 

[baldtaco-II]

I'll cheat and use your pic.

Why favorite - It's a classic and probably one of the first I could tie with my eyes closed as a child. I'm sure I'm not alone in remembering it by "little rabbit comes up his hole, round his favorite tree, and back down his hole". Inverting the last pic will likely show you how that works best.

Edit - It might be worth mentioning that I also find that a gauche handed method. I'm right-handed not cack-handed so I'd hold the loop in my left and work the free end with my right.

 

[DOC-CANADA]

I'll cheat and use your pic.

Why favorite - It's a classic and probably one of the first I could tie with my eyes closed as a child. I'm sure I'm not alone in remembering it by "little rabbit comes up his hole, round his favorite tree, and back down his hole". Inverting the last pic will likely show you how that works best.

Edit - It might be worth mentioning that I also find that a gauche handed method. I'm right-handed not cack-handed so I'd hold the loop in my left and work the free end with my right.

Hey baldtaco-II, no need to cheat - a picture of your very own.

And if I understand your post, you're suggesting that it's a left-handed approach? Actually not, for the 'Slipped Knot Bowline' you are working the free end with your right hand (for the most part - 'A' being the free end) - try it.

And thanks for possibly being the lone contributor to this thread.

Doc

 

[baldtaco-II]

Wassup Doc [been resistin' that too long ;-)]

For clarification - your original, the way up it was, isn't a left handed. It was left handed when I said invert it. The one you have just given me is not left handed say if I were to tie that round myself.

EDIT: Corrected.

 

[chopchop]

I have 3 favorite hitches that I use:

1. Siberian/Evenk hitch
why? because it's quick & easy to tie, holds well, and is easy to release since it's slipped
what for? you can use it for ridgelines & fixed end of tie-downs

how to tie it: http://www.outdooridiots.com/features/200606/pitchingatarp/pitchingatarp4.asp
image from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siberian_hitch

2. Round turn w/ 2 half-hitches
why? very easy to remember and tie, won't spill or capsize with loading from any angle, and strong
what for? any kind of variable angle loading that you want to stay put, esp. boat moorings or a cargo load

lots of pic's of this one from Kochanski's Bushcraft to knot websites

one example from http://www.animatedknots.com/roundturn/index.php?LogoImage=LogoGrog.jpg&Website=www.animatedknots.com click this link to see the knot tied via animation

3. Adjustable grip hitch
why? easy to remember and tie, easy to adjust
what for? tensioning lines, esp. guy lines for tarps & tents

pics from http://www.layhands.com/Knots/Knots_Hitches.htm (same knot Dantzk8 pointed out in Rescue Riley's simplifying knots thread)

step 1.

step 2.

step 3.

I also use bowlines, but those were mentioned already.

 

[sircantaloupe]

Excellent so far, but what about the clove and constrictor?

 

[dantzk8]

A one i prefer to the siberian hitch: the mooring hitch:

http://www.netknots.com/html/mooring_hitch.html

dantzk.

 

[Dnalsi]

My favorite is the truckers hitch. The 3:1 pulley effect allows you to make the rope between 2 objects extremely tight. Perfect for tying down your canoe to your car, between 2 trees to support a shelter tarp, run a highline between trees for tying out horses. I've even used it to "encourage" large trees to fall where I want them.
The diagram below is the basic truckers hitch.

Two ways to improve on this basic knot:
Make an extra twist in the first loop.
Watch the guys R hand in the YouTube video below.
The extra twist makes it easier to eventually untie.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNWELuXo_bY
Also note how he finishes with a quick release half hitch.

Be careful. I have bent and broken objects while tightening this knot.
Once you start using the truckers hitch, you will wonder how you ever survived with out it

 

[chopchop]

Excellent so far, but what about the clove and constrictor?

also very useful and as a bonus if you know the clove, you are 75% of the way to the constrictor.

clove hitch:
http://www.netknots.com/html/clove_hitch.html
why? easy to tie, easy to adjust lengths,
what for? quick, temporary hitch around a spar, could be for holding out a tarp in a leanto or around a post on a guideline for the night time outhouse trips

constrictor knot:
http://www.netknots.com/html/clove_hitch.html or the way I usually tie it which I think is easier to remember since it starts with the clove hitch explicitly: http://www.animatedknots.com/constrictor/constrictorendanim.gif
why? easy to tie and jams well
what for? to hold a bag shut, to bind several sticks to start a lashing, to bind several ropes to start a plait, or to tie to a rock for a throwing weight on the end of your line

 

[ROCK6]

Great post Doc...knots are one of my weaknesses as I just don't practice them enough (something I plan to remedy this year).

Thanks Chopchop! That Adjustable Grip Hitch looks great and one I'll try and use as the Tautline is what I've used the most. I too try and put a quick-release bite in most of my knots.

My favorite is the truckers hitch.

Two ways to improve on this basic knot:
Make an extra twist in the first loop.
Watch the guys R hand in the YouTube video below.
The extra twist makes it easier to eventually untie.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNWELuXo_bY
Also note how he finishes with a quick release half hitch.

Be careful. I have bent and broken objects while tightening this knot.
Once you start using the truckers hitch, you will wonder how you ever survived with out it

Aw! Another of my favorites and I really like the way the guy did the twist...thanks!

ROCK6

 

[DOC-CANADA]

My favorite is the truckers hitch. The 3:1 pulley effect allows you to make the rope between 2 objects extremely tight. Perfect for tying down your canoe to your car, between 2 trees to support a shelter tarp, run a highline between trees for tying out horses. I've even used it to "encourage" large trees to fall where I want them.
The diagram below is the basic truckers hitch.

Two ways to improve on this basic knot:
Make an extra twist in the first loop.
Watch the guys R hand in the YouTube video below.
The extra twist makes it easier to eventually untie.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNWELuXo_bY
Also note how he finishes with a quick release half hitch.

Be careful. I have bent and broken objects while tightening this knot.
Once you start using the truckers hitch, you will wonder how you ever survived with out it

I also like the Trucker's Hitch and use it for the same things you mentioned above.

Here's another way to make it easier to untie:

Basically, 1/2 a Sheepshank, toggled.

Normally, what I do though, is use a Single Lineman's Loop (AKA Alpine Butterfly, IIRC) in place of the slip knot - I find it much easier to untie.

Thanks for contributing, guys. I thought this was another skills thread, doomed to an early demise.

Doc

 

[Bushman5]

TENSIONLESS HITCH, used for retaining 100% of the ropes strength when used as an anchor for high angle rescue.

http://www.animatedknots.com/tensionless/index.php

 

[chopchop]

with my family-of-knots thinking, I thought I would point this out:

a buntline hitch is just a rope passed around something, then the working end is tied to the standing end with a clove hitch

and a clove hitch is two alternating half hitches

so

half hitch, clove hitch, buntline hitch and constrictor knot are all related


half hitch

(pic from wikipedia)



clove hitch

(pic from www.animatedknots.com)


buntline hitch

(pic from www.animatedknots.com)




constrictor knot

(pic from www.animatedknots.com)

 

[sharpguytoo]

I also go with the venerable clove hitch (and an occasional rolling version) as my most used.

As many have already pointed out, knots are "built" using a small variety of subsets of actions. Like 100,000 English words are made from only 26 letters if you learn just a few loops/turns/elbows/tucks etc and work the rope correctly you can tie as many kifferent knots as you care to learn.
I think that just two of each type (joining,stop,bends and so on) are enough for any situation. The key is just to practice regularily just like firestarting.

PS .....If you could have JUST ONE knot ...... yawn. Sound of Ashley rolling over in his grave.

Good post DOC and Im sure you will have many more posts to this thread.

CHop: the Siberian (I like that one!) is a double slipped figure eight, right?

 

[wongKI]

I use the clove hitch and constrictor the most. They don't take up much space and are easy to remember.

I also like the rolling hitch. Can't beat that one for slip-proofing.