At Machovec, we want you to use our rope products for
the best use and safest practices. The right rope knots for the right job
is extremely important. See the chart at the bottom of this
page for knots strengths.
Rope knots and boats go
hand-in-hand. Whether tying an anchor to a line or tying up a boat at
a dock, the wrong knot will lead to trouble and the right knot,
properly tied, will hold under extremely heavy loads.
These knots are selected for their
knot tying ease and usefulness, most examples will be followed with
more advanced knot tying variations as we progress. We hope to provide
a wide variety of rope knots for scouting, fishing, sailing and (uh..)
what knot.
Call
Jay
at 612-282-4035 to match your rope needs.
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Bight and Loop
Like an earth worm, a rope has two indistinguishable
ends. Everything in between is the "standing part". The simplest maneuver is
a change of direction, called a Bight. A cross over or under is called a
Loop. The end left hanging is called the "Bitter End". |
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Figure-of-Eight
Less complicated than the knot you put in your shoelaces,
the Figure-of-Eight is an ideal basic knot for use at the end of a line to
prevent a sheet or line from slipping through a block. Make an underhand
loop, then bring the free end over the standing part and bring it under and
through the loop. |
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Bowline
For a simple running loop, the Bowline is the sailor's
best friend. Begin with a small overhand loop, make a larger loop and bring
the free end through the first loop. Now form a bight by bringing the free
end under and over the standing part, then back through the loop. This won't
slip or snarl under strain, yet will untie easily with one tug on the bight. |
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Belaying
Endlessly winding a rope around a cleat is not Belaying.
Loop the line around the base, under the arms of the cleat, then bring it up
and over diagonally, around and under one arm, then over, around and under
the other, in a continuous figure eight, securing the bitter end by tucking
it under the last crossover. |
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Fisherman's Bend or Anchor Bend
The two loops that swivel freely make the Anchor Bend
perfect for making fast a line to an anchor, buoy or spar. Take two turns
through the ring, followed by an underhand loop, then thread the bitter end
through the turns and pull tight. You should give the bitter end an extra
hitch around the standing part for greater strength. |
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Tug Boat Hitch
The Tug Boat Hitch is ideal for heavy towing, yet
can be released under great strain when necessary. Take one or two turns
around the towing post, cross the bight under, then drop the bight over the
top. Now loop the bight back around the standing part, drop the bight over
the top with a half twist, and pull taught. |
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Single Sheet Bend
The Sheet Bend, used to tie two ropes together, is at its
best when things are complicated by ropes of unequal size. Form a bight in
the larger line. Thread the smaller line's bitter end through then under
itself, and out over on the same side as the larger lines bitter end. |
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Double Sheet Bend
When the strain on the two ropes you are joining is
particularly great, tie the Single Sheet Bend, as above, leaving enough
length in the small line's bitter end for another loop around, under itself
inside the bight, and out over again. To prevent slipping and jamming,
always make sure that both bitter ends are on the same side of the knot. |
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Round Turn and Two Half Hitches
Formerly know as Rolling Hitch. Is especially
useful when there is a strain on the line, since you can tie it with one
hand while holding the line taut. Take two turns through the ring or around
the post, then finish up with a clove hitch over the standing part. Keep
this one set snug. |
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Clove Hitch
When a line has to be made fast to a pile or spar
quickly, the Clove Hitch is the simple, speedy answer. A simple loop around
the pile, followed by a second, with the free end crossed under and pulled
tight, results in a hitch that gets even tighter as tension increases on the
standing part. |
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Type of Knot, Bend, or Hitch |
Percentage of retained strength |
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Bowline |
67-75 |
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Anchor Bend |
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*over 5/8" diameter ring |
55-65 |
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*over 4" diameter ring |
80-90 |
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Two Half Hitches |
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*over 5/8" diameter ring |
60-70* |
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*over 4" diameter ring |
65-75* |
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Square Knot |
43-57* |
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Sheet Bend |
48-58* |
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Fisherman's Knot |
50-58 |
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Carrick Bend |
55-60 |
*Smaller sizes of nylon are
liable to slip without breaking.
*Both nylon and P/D combination ropes in smaller sizes are liable to slip.
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