Knots

[Dave M]

Which ones does everyone use most often?

I am thinking about learning some new knots and trying to decide which ones. I know the bowline, the clove hitch, two half hitches, the tautline hitch, the midshipman's hitch, and the trucker's hitch.

[jason]

I honestly do not know the names of the ones I use most often. But of the ones you mentioned, the only one I do not see listed is a square knot.

[2coastcamper]

I don't know the names either. I learned the basics of how knots worked a long time ago, and I usually make up knots to try. I'm sure every knot out there has been tried and named before. So when I "come up with a new one," it's not actually new. But I do come up with them myself, and I've never had one fail yet. Sometimes, I just sit and think ... I visualize the rope forming the knot. The most recent knot I'm quite proud of is one I used to affix a hook to a rope that I use to lash my kayaks to my jeep. It's something of a double-whip knot that tightens on itself when pulled. That thing's not going anywhere.

[Bushman]

Someone once told me "if you don't know the right knot to tie, tie a lot of knots". Sure it may not be the most sophisticated method, but I figure as long as the knot does what is supposed to do, and that's hold something in place, then that's the right knot.

I'm sure its handy to know a variety of knots to tie in a variety of situations, but I'll stick with the multi-knot for now.

[failghe]

My problem with knots is if I don't use them I forget how to make them. I usually try to relearn them before each camping trip though. So which one do I use ost often? The one I can remember or the multi knot as noted by Bushman.

[Wild Bill]

I am also a fan of the multi-knot. I used to know how to tie a few different knots, then I stopped practicing and forgot how to tie them.

One knot I remember being particularly handy was the "Bowing knot" or a "Boden knot" (I think that's what it is called). But like I said before I don't remember how to tie it and apparently I don't know what its called either.

[Newanderthal]

Bowline (or Yosemite bowline) for most purposes

Trucker's hitch for securing things like canoes on the roof of my truck

[oldsarge]

Animated Knots by Grog | How to Tie Knots | Fishing, Boating, Climbing, Scouting, Search and Rescue, Household, Decorative, Rope Care, Try this site for some good info on Knots!

[Grandpa]

The two I use most often are to hang my food. A slip not for the bag and a clove to over a broken stump to hold it. Both quick and easy to untie and the more weight the tighter they hold.

[Grandpa]

Working with scouts, I know most knots. Since I quit using horses to pack, I would have a hard time with the diamond hitch, but I still teach the boys to tie the bowline on themselves one handed in case they fall and have an injured arm. I have never trusted the tautline in a windstorm, preferring instead to use or make a "gizmo". Never knew what they were called. Can anyone help with that? (the little flat metal piece with the 3 holes) We used to use a 1" x 1" x 4" piece of hardwood for 1/4 inch to 1/2 ropes.