Basic Knots Guide

Basic Knots Guide
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Step 1Thumb knot

Thumb knot
The most simple knot.Used as a stopper and prevent ropes from fraying .
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Apr 29, 2008. 6:25 AMKozz says:
Very good! Some brief comments and suggestions: #1. aka "Overhand knot" #2. I think you meant "Reef Knot" (aka square knot) #4. For the beginner, it can be easy to mistakenly twist in the wrong direction (like a multi-turn overhand knot). The thing to remember is that the free end doubles back and wraps on itself. #6. aka "Sheet Bend" #7. aka "Sheep Shank" I must admit to never knowing about #8, what you're calling a Marlin Spike. I've tied these when needing something like an overhand knot but with the advantage of easily being undone. Which parts of the knot are under tension? Just the free ends, or also the bight? Can you explain further when you might use it? Nice work!
Apr 29, 2008. 11:28 AMKiteman says:
All that, plus: A marlin spike isn't a knot - it's the pointed tool used to knot and splice ropes. What you have drawn is a simple slip-knot - an over-hand knot with a draw loop; the working end has not been pulled all the way through.
Oct 7, 2010. 10:51 AMglorybe says:
Isn't there a type of wheel on older ships in which the hand holds plugged in and then were pulled back out in order for the very large wheel to clear the deck? I seem to recall that the "spikes" used in those wheels for hand holds were called Marlin spikes. Perhaps I am wrong but I think those marlin spikes were used as clubs when fights broke out aboard ship.
Sep 26, 2011. 8:06 AMFenrisLokison says:
Sorry glorybe, but Kiteman is right in his definition of a Marlin Spike and its use, in a lot of European its other name is a Fid. There is also a Swedish Fid which is basically the same as a Fid except it is grooved along one side in order to facilitate passing rope strand through the lay of a rope when splicing it.
As a professional fisherman and mariner I can recommend checking out the International Guild of Knot Tyers and the books by their founder Des Pawson for some good info.
I could also tell you the correct terminology for your "Marlin Spike Clubs" but that would deprive you of the pleasure of finding it out for yourself. Cheers matey

PS for a bit of fun check out International Talk Like a Pirate Day ( Sept. 19 ). "ARRGH Avast there Matey!!"

PPS The day after is International Talk Like a Parrot Day!
Oct 7, 2010. 1:49 PMKiteman says:
I think you are thinking of these things used to anchor ropes.

The removable handles in capstans are bigger.
Sep 11, 2009. 2:17 PMloy266 says:
i am a scout and you are WRONG!!!
Sep 14, 2009. 12:40 PMsharlston says:
kitemans right your wrong haha!!!!
Sep 11, 2009. 3:36 PMKiteman says:
I am a Leader, and have the manners not to shout at people I don't know, as well as the sense to check my facts before I look foolish in public:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marlinspike
Oct 5, 2010. 5:18 PMloy266 says:
i am sorry for shouting but there is a knot called a marlinspike hitch
Oct 6, 2010. 1:05 PMKiteman says:
Correct. Marlin spike hitch, not marlin spike.

It's used for temporarily fastening a marlin spike to a rope.
Sep 26, 2011. 7:48 AMFenrisLokison says:
Definitely correct kiteman,
as a professional fisherman (one of my trades) I can
confirm that there is a Marlin Hitch ( sometimes referred to as a Marlin spike hitch)
which is used to provide a temporary anchor point for a Marlin Spike in order to provide a firm anchor point for someone to haul on the rope.

But technically the hitch doesn't fasten the spike to the rope, rather the spike actually holds the hitch in place and once removed the hitch unknots leaving the rope clear to run through pulley's etc.

For some more good info on ropework check out the International Guild of Knot Tyers and their founder Des Pawson.

PS before the invention of the truck the knot we now know as the truckie (truckers) knot was known as the waggoner's hitch ( sorry love trivia, check out the story of the Matthew Walker Knot as well )

Sep 26, 2011. 8:30 AMKiteman says:
Would that be the same Des Pawson that wrote the Dorling Kindersley Handbook of Knots?

I met him at a Scout leader training day a couple of years ago. Very nice chap.
Apr 4, 2010. 10:04 AMaxiesdad says:
Thanks for the intro to knots.  One caveat though;  the reef or square knot (same knot, it just has two common names) should NEVER be used to "tie two ropes together."  It can spill under tension and turn into two half hitches in one rope that will slip right off the other.  It is a good knot for tying a rope around a bundle to hold it together.  The sheet bend is a much better choice for tying two ropes together, but some of the more slippery synthetics require more specialized handling.  If personal safety is going to depend on the knot (as in climbing trees or mountains) be sure you know what you are doing with your ropes.

The best "how to" for knots that I have found is:

http://www.animatedknots.com/

except for Ashley of course : )


Feb 18, 2010. 4:59 AMnutsandbolts_64 says:
it's pretty confusing
Feb 16, 2009. 9:18 PMlobo_pal says:
What about a trucker hitch, bow line, or square knot, those are the most important ones for a scout.
Sep 11, 2009. 2:09 PMloy266 says:
the one i use most is figure 8 on a bite and they didnt even teach it to me
Jun 7, 2009. 9:35 PMwizerd 745 says:
your "reef knot" is actually called a square knot btw :-)
Sep 5, 2009. 11:46 PMdutianyi321 says:
It is called reef knot in Singapore
Sep 7, 2009. 3:39 PMwizerd 745 says:
And you are commenting on a 3 month old comment that has already been corrected why?
Jun 24, 2009. 9:49 AM15zhangfra says:
depends on where you are. i'm pretty sure in england and other places out side of America and Australia speaking English call it reef knot, but over here in America or Australia it is called square
Jul 24, 2009. 11:23 AMwizerd 745 says:
I suppose so, I'm in America.
Jun 7, 2009. 9:36 PMwizerd 745 says:
also add two half hitches!
Jun 13, 2009. 7:56 AMMegaMaker says:
Show how to make the knots.
Jun 5, 2009. 8:36 PMGreatSage says:
Could you, like, maybe tell me how to make these knots?
May 22, 2009. 9:53 AMa.nony.mouse says:
that one's a bit hard to understand. could you make a clearer pic?
May 22, 2009. 9:50 AMa.nony.mouse says:
lets see... i use that one to connect my hair bands into a bracelet...
May 22, 2009. 9:49 AMa.nony.mouse says:
hey, i use that to tie my shoes! lol
May 7, 2009. 5:39 PMgyve.munky1 says:
sorry, forgot my manners. good instructable Thanks for your time.
May 7, 2009. 5:38 PMgyve.munky1 says:
scouts should study grammar a little more... but who cares? we're American!! "I'm a scout and knots is (should be are) one of ........"
Apr 26, 2009. 5:25 PMtrooster89 says:
looks just like a square knot
Sep 14, 2008. 10:26 AMtron1o7 says:
Hey man, I see your a scout too. I am star rank, and i enjoy knot tying and the best in my patrol and i just stumbled onto your guide and relized you got the name of one of the knots wrong. The first knot is not called a thumb knot, its called a overhand knot. Ofther than that nice instructable even though it didnt help me it could sure help some of my patrol members... happy knoting!
Feb 16, 2009. 9:19 PMlobo_pal says:
So why not list those other names?
Oct 31, 2008. 3:46 AMCarlos Marmo says:
Because much few people still give to attention the so basic things. Without these bases, does not have as to have development in this art. In my Country, it is called Macrâmé. Thanks P.S. It pardons me for my precarious English
Oct 30, 2008. 2:03 AMCarlos Marmo says:
Wonderful Work! Congratulations!
Apr 29, 2008. 2:35 PMdchall8 says:
Yes, all that, all that, and five more comments. 1. If you can find rope that is braided instead of twisted, your pictures will be easier to follow. Use 3/8 or larger rope. Find the macro button on your camera. Also if you have a background color different from the rope color it will be easier to see what you are doing. 2. If you can find two ropes of different colors your sheep shank knot will be easier to follow. 3. Spell check. I'm not sure what I'm reading. 4. As a sailor I am looking for your instructions on the bowline. I use three knots on my boat: the bowline, Figure 8, and the half hitch (often a slipped half hitch). If anyone ever ties an overhand or a reef knot on my boat, we stop what we're doing and have a little chat about ropes and knots. They waste far too much time for whatever minimal value you get from them. 5. Knots are very hard to make Instructables for. Thanks for trying. With a little tuning up this could be the definitive Instructable on knots.
Jul 6, 2008. 8:27 AMstasterisk says:
Could you make an instructable on knots?
Jul 1, 2008. 1:24 PMqwerty says:
If your a sailor and only use three knots I really hope you don't do it professionally.
May 8, 2008. 6:15 PMsmithy813 says:
if your a sailor, get yourself the encyclopedia of knots or something. half his names arn't right (it's an over hand, not a thumb knot" and the only was to untie a reef knot used to tie ropes together is with a knife (or a good marline spike IF your lucky). the reef knot (square knot) should only be used for REEFING, or closing a bag. NOT as a bend (thats tieing ropes together.) for that, i suggest a simple Simon over or under. i'll probably get an instructable on this out there soon.

I'm not only a blacksmith.
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