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How to Tie the Most Useful Knot in the World (Bowline) [HD Video Tutorial]

video How to Tie the Most Useful Knot in the World (Bowline) [HD Video Tutorial]
This is a short video to help those who have seen many of my past videos where I use a bowline knot. This is the most useful knot you will ever learn. It will not slip when in use, and comes undone easily even after being tightened under thousands of pounds.

Throughout history the bowline has been the workhorse knot of all seafaring nations. There are several variations, the one shown being the simplest and most common.
18 comments
7
Feb 11, 2012. 7:00 AMkentdvm says:
Thank you. I can never get it right the first time. Your finger trick is simple & perfect.
Dec 18, 2011. 7:17 PMrbingham says:
Man, that finger trick is SWEET! Every time I need this knot (like attaching the jib sheets on my sailboat) I have to think it through, & inevitably I screw it up a couple of times before I get it. Thanks!
Sep 4, 2011. 1:49 PMvkunchev says:
Great tip! Thanks a lot!
Sep 1, 2011. 8:19 AMEric Sullivan says:
I like the finger trick. I sometimes get the loop around the wrong way and have to start again.

This is how I learned to tie the knot:

Up the rabbit hole. Aaround the tree. Back down the rabbit hole.
Aug 31, 2011. 7:25 PMjuanjosky says:
Not recomended for climbing.... use only the 8 knot!
Aug 29, 2011. 12:59 AMSol501 says:
i have a use for this thank you!
Aug 27, 2011. 5:37 PMmdg137 says:
been using that knot for 30+ years and never seen the finger method. thanks
2
Aug 27, 2011. 4:55 PM_Scratch_ says:
Great knot, since I usually just use a dozen or so square knots together, this seems a lot faster.
1
Aug 23, 2011. 7:32 PMaprilsflower1958 says:
KNOT TOO SHABBY! THANKS!
30
Aug 24, 2011. 5:33 PMNightHawkInLight (author) says:
I guess you roped me into that tangle of a pun.
1
Aug 26, 2011. 2:13 PMaprilsflower1958 says:
Tee hee ::o)
Aug 26, 2011. 10:13 AMslysimon says:
Been using this knot for years but never seen the two finger trick. What a great tip.
Thank you.
5
Aug 25, 2011. 6:26 AMskiedra says:
Good job, NightHawk. Any more knot instructables coming up?
30
Aug 25, 2011. 1:35 PMNightHawkInLight (author) says:
Thank you. I do have another knot video planned, but I'm really not sure when I'll get to it. A lot of other projects in the works and time's short.
Aug 22, 2011. 1:58 PMCaseyCase says:
The most useful knot in my world is the trucker's hitch followed closely by the constrictor knot. The packer's knot is in third.
30
Aug 24, 2011. 5:34 PMNightHawkInLight (author) says:
Very nice. Second for me would likely be the taught rope knot.
15
Aug 23, 2011. 11:14 AMzazenergy says:
Excellent instructional video! Thanks for sharing!
30
Aug 23, 2011. 1:50 PMNightHawkInLight (author) says:
Thank you very much!

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Author:NightHawkInLight
Hundreds more videos can be found on my YouTube page: http://www.youtube.com/user/NightHawkInLight