Which Knots?

[VicS]

I see several mentions of a "figure of eight" knot
Presumably used as a stopper knot.

I was taken to task on here a while back for suggesting a figure of eight knot as a stopper knot. I was told I should be using a DOUBLE OVERHAND KNOT (I guess by some climbing fanatic! )

An alternative would be an ASHLEY OYSTERMAN'S STOPPER KNOT where a very bulky knot is required

 

[LittleSister]

I see several mentions of a "figure of eight" knot
Presumably used as a stopper knot.

I was taken to task on here a while back for suggesting a figure of eight knot as a stopper knot. I was told I should be using a DOUBLE OVERHAND KNOT (I guess by some climbing fanatic! )

An alternative would be an ASHLEY OYSTERMAN'S STOPPER KNOT where a very bulky knot is required

I did have a knot book that stated the sole use of a figure of eight knot was in demonstrating the superiority of a XXXX stopper knot. Somehow that stuck in my mind, but when I came to look for it again to learn the supposedly superior knot I couldn't find the book. Consequently I've ploughed on for years with the figure of eight (without noticeable problems), and when I needed something bigger (roller reefing drum ) a knot of unknown name I copied from a line found on a boat I bought.

 

[john_morris_uk]

In addition to the others, I regularly use some of those fishing knots - don't know what they are called, but you put lots of turns round the line and then back through the end.

To answer the OP I can tie a thief knot without having to think about it too much, but its a party piece and of not much use!

A fishermans bend is good for making something really secure (although you have to cut it off if it gets really tight!) Its easy as its very close to a round turn and two half hitches.

More useles info: SWMBO calls a round turn and two half hitches a fender knot as its whet we use to tie the fenders on with.

To also answer the OP I think the essential knots are:

Bowline,
Figure of eight,
Reef knot,
Sheet bend,
Double sheet bend,
Round turn and two half hitches,
Clove hitch.
Rolling hitch

 

[Twister_Ken]

I can also tie a hangman's noose. Useless now I don't have a yardarm except to encourage dozy crew.

There's a knot I've always called a thumb knot, which is easy to put into (and take out of) a line when you want to stop it pulling through a fairlead. It's what I put in lazy genny sheets when I want to use the winches for chute sheets.

 

[alant]

How many knots can you tie without having to think about it?

What are the yachtsman's/woman's essentials knots?

Would this be using rough rope, or silken scarves?

 

[alant]

Just as important as knowing how to tie knots is being able to tie them quickly, and at at all angles (reaching up / down / under pontoons etc.).

A bowline can save life, you should be able to (genuinely) tie it with both eyes firmly shut and one hand behind your back.

All of the common knots / bends / hitches mentioned above are capable of being made in the dark and without looking at the rope itself.

"A bowline can save life, you should be able to (genuinely) tie it with both eyes firmly shut and one hand behind your back."

Yes & No!

No longer used to tie as a safety knot by mountain climbers, since modern high tensile rope is slippery & bowline will undo itself. These days a 'double figure of eight' is used.

 

[prv]

No longer used to tie as a safety knot by mountain climbers, since modern high tensile rope is slippery & bowline will undo itself. These days a 'double figure of eight' is used.

Right, but I can't tie one of those one-handed while holding onto the rope with the other.

Pete

 

[Fantasie 19]

I see several mentions of a "figure of eight" knot
Presumably used as a stopper knot.

I was taken to task on here a while back for suggesting a figure of eight knot as a stopper knot. I was told I should be using a DOUBLE OVERHAND KNOT (I guess by some climbing fanatic! )

An alternative would be an ASHLEY OYSTERMAN'S STOPPER KNOT where a very bulky knot is required

I was taught to use figure of eights as a stopper knot at Emsworth Sailing School (run by Crab Searle and no longer there unfortunately) in 1974.. old habits die hard and I use them to this day on the end of the jib sheets......

 

[Lodesman77]

I would suggest a stevedore's knot for a stopper knot instead of a figure of eight; essentially the same with an extra turn which makes it a little bulkier and better to hold.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stevedore_knot

The figure of eight follow through is better than a bowline for keeping the strength in a loop so is the knot of choice for securing rope to harness for climbers (and also for those who aren't climbers but still have to go up the mast)

http://www.animatedknots.com/fig8fo...ge=LogoGrog.jpg&Website=www.animatedknots.com

.

 

[Poignard]

By the way, can anyone recommend a knot to use to tie up the captive drawcord on sailbags?

 

[muyuu]

Other than the typical, I use this http://animatedknots.com/alpinebutt...ge=LogoGrog.jpg&Website=www.animatedknots.com and then another one I can't name to tidy the tack rope around the mast in windsurfing sails and sometimes in any other cylindrical bases. Simple, secure, easy to undo, removes all the extra slack with a simple wrist movement.

 

[lustyd]

I was taken to task on here a while back for suggesting a figure of eight knot as a stopper knot. I was told I should be using a DOUBLE OVERHAND KNOT (I guess by some climbing fanatic! )

I use the double overhand knot as the figure 8 tends to come undone. I believe that this is because the figure 8 was designed with 3 stand in mind so the lay of the rope held it in place, with braided line this is not the case and I've never seen one last more than two days even when tied by instructors.

I asked one of the instructors why he didn't teach the double overhand one as it stays put better, he said the RYA wouldn't let him because it wasn't in the sylabus. He did, however, enthusiastically endorse me teaching it to my fellow course mates who used it from that point forwards.
Cheers
Dave

 

[Touchwood]

My dazed kipper instructor opined that the only proper use for a sheepshank was for "dragging sheep through shallow water"

Bit of a wag, he was.

 

[emsworthy]

Can anyone identify this stopper knot from just the description! I use as a decorative stopper on my mainsheet (and also the bit of braid I hang my boots from!).

It is a bit like a hangmans noose but without the noose or a nail knot http://animatedknots.com/nailknot/index.php?Categ=fishing&LogoImage=LogoGrog.jpg&Website=www.animatedknots.com without the other thicker line.

I can show someone tie it but would struggle to explain how other than you put a half twist and then loosely wrap the bitter end back up its own standing part and then pass it back through the stack of loops and pull tight.

If no-one gets it I'll have to post a piccy.

 

[Little Rascal]

A bowline ...

No longer used to tie as a safety knot by mountain climbers, since modern high tensile rope is slippery & bowline will undo itself. These days a 'double figure of eight' is used.

Er... yes it is. Admittedly less common these days but still a perfectly acceptable way to tie in to a harness with synthetic ropes. It's often used by 'sport' (bolted routes) climbers who are often loading the knot (falling off!) and then needing to untie.

Must be used with a stopper - but then so should a double figure of eight.

 

[Victoria Sponge]

So, what is the minimum I have to perfect then?

 

[Woodlouse]

As mentioned add a rolling hitch to my list. I forgot about that one and it is essential.

 

[john_morris_uk]

So, what is the minimum I have to perfect then?

As Woodlouse is implying, I think that a consensus might be:

Bowline,
Figure of eight,
Reef knot,
Sheet bend,
Double sheet bend,
Round turn and two half hitches,
Clove hitch.
Rolling hitch

I would suggest ignoring the arguments about figure of eight knots - most people use a figure of eight as a stopper knot and although they fall out occasionally, good seamanship suggests that you keep an eye on things and notice when a stopper knot has gone awol! If you want to, you can learn another 'better' stopper knot, but don't lose any sleep over it...

 

[prv]

As Woodlouse is implying, I think that a consensus might be:

Bowline,
Figure of eight,
Reef knot,
Sheet bend,
Double sheet bend,
Round turn and two half hitches,
Clove hitch.
Rolling hitch

I agree. Not uncoincidentally, I believe that's the official RYA set for Comp Crew.

Pete

 

[Victoria Sponge]

Bowline
Figure of eight
Reef knot
Sheet bend
Double sheet bend
Round turn and two half hitches
Clove hitch
Rolling hitch

Right then, I'll be practising forthwith....