Introduction: Quick Skills #1: 5 Simple Knots for Survival
Hi Instructables Community,
since this is my last Instructable for 2015 I thought it was nice timing to release my new series "Quick Skills". The main focus of this series will be to teach skills for survival, prepping and general outdoor situations in a compact format and to motivate viewers to try for themselves. Similar to the Mini Projects series the idea is to motivate people to do something useful if they have a few minutes of time to spare.
I chose five of the easiest knots that can be used for a wide range of applications. Since there are many more useful knots I decided to split this subject into multiple Instructables.
If you like this Instructable please vote, fav, share, subscribe & comment. You can also check my YouTube, Facebook, Blog and Twitter for current and upcoming projects.
Take care, stay safe and last but not least:
Happy new Year 2016
Cheers Alex
Step 1: Figure 8 Knot
| ABoK Ref: | #420 |
| Alternative Names: | Figure-of-eight knot, Savoy Knot, Flemish Knot, Double Stopper |
| Main Purpose: | The Figure 8 is used as a stopper knot to prevent ropes & lines from slipping/sliding from retaining devices. |
| Strengths: | Apart from its simplicity this knots main advantage is that it doesn't bind even when jammed tightly. |
| Weaknesses: | Its main strength is also its main weakness as it may become undone and has to be retied. To reduce the risk you should ensure that the free end is 3-4 rope diameters standing out. If safety is a factor such as in climbing you should use the "Double Overhand" knot (which is presented in Pt.2) |
Step 2: Overhand Loop Knot
| ABoK Ref: | #1046 |
| Alternative names: | Loop knot, Overhand Knot on a Bight |
| Main Purpose: | This knot is created by tying an overhand knot with a loop on a bight (folding a piece of rope so that the two parts lie alongside each other). |
| Strengths: | Easy to tie and can be tied in the middle of a rope since no working end is required. |
| Weaknesses: | It might jam tightly when under stress and becomes difficult to untie; is a 50% rated knot meaning that the strength of the rope is be reduced (e.g. 50 pound line will be only a 25 pound line). |
Step 3: Reef Knot
| ABoK Ref: | #1204 |
Alternative names: | Square Knot, Hercules Knot |
| Main Purpose: | The main reason why I included this knot is as a warning to not use this knot to join two ropes or to use it in any area where safety is a concern such as in climbing or when moving heavy loads!!! You can use it to tie your shoelaces or a parcel ;) |
| Strengths: | Easy to tie |
| Weaknesses: | The knot is not secure because it slips and becomes undone!!! |
Step 4: Sheet Bend
| ABoK Ref: | #1 |
| Alternative Names: | Becket Bend, Weaver's Knot, Weaver's Hitch |
| Main Purpose: | To join two ropes together, more specifically to join two ropes or lines of different diameters together. |
| Strengths: | Easy to tie and secure |
| Weaknesses: | Beginners should be careful to ensure that the thicker rope is used for the bight. Thanks to LaurJ for pointing out that this variation is less secure then when tied in a way that both working ends should come out at the same side ( in this case up). To tie the knot more secure you should form the loop of the larger diameter rope with the working end facing up. The other steps remain the same. |
Step 5: Clove Hitch
| ABoK Ref: | #1245 |
| Main Purpose: | A hitch is used to tie a rope to an object. This knot can be used to start and end a lashing. Do not use it to secure climbing ropes or in any other safety relevant situation. |
| Strengths: | Easy to tie |
| Weaknesses: | The knot may slip and/or bind when under tension. If used to attach objects to each other you can secure the knot with two half hitches. Also a stopper knot (e.g. Double Overhand Stopper Knot) may prevent the free end from slipping. |
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