6 Essential knots for every outdoorsman to learn
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Loading... - Sandra Afful
- 18 Apr 2023
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A well-versed arsenal of knots of a must-have for any outdoorsman
There are 101 things to tie up in the backcountry. Perhaps you’re setting up a ridgeline for a camping tarp, or you need to hang a bear bag to avoid your favorite snacks being snaffled overnight. Whatever it is, we know that the rope you keep in your bag is a lifeline and an essential part of being an outdoorsman. But there’s more to tying things up than just learning a simple knot and relying on it for every situation. There are thousands of knots to choose from, and given a little time, you can always improvise one of your own.
Each knot has its own uses and will come with a raft of benefits and drawbacks and should be favored in certain situations. This means that to be a successful outdoorsman, you need to have at least a small arsenal of knots up your sleeve to pull out in the right situation.
In the 15 years or so I’ve been tying things together, these six knots have been by far the most common I’ve needed. It’s rare that I can’t fix a situation with one — or a combination — of these types of knots. Grab yourself a length of rope and spend some time getting to grips with the following.
Square knot (aka reef knot)
The square knot — also known as a reef knot — is a simple way to attach two ropes of equal thickness together. Because of its simplicity, most people learn to tie a square knot before any other knot when they learn to tie their shoes.
Unfortunately, the square knot can’t be trusted. It’s a secure knot when laid flat against a surface, but it is known for coming untied. This is most common when you’re using a modern, sheathed rope. Because of this, the square knot is used in situations where there are no major consequences to your knot coming untied. It might just be a bit irritating. You can use a square knot to tie up a bundle of firewood or to tie up a bandage. Read More…
