Knot Tying
for
Scouts and Scouters
Gary Panczner
KNOT TYING
Table of contents;
Parts of a rope...............................................................................3
Properties of rope fibers...............................................................4
Whipping......................................................................................5
Overhand knot..............................................................................5
Figure eight knot...........................................................................5
Fisherman’s knot..........................................................................6
Square knot...................................................................................6
Surgeon’s knot..............................................................................6
Half hitch......................................................................................7
Two half hitch...............................................................................7
Taunt-line hitch.............................................................................7
Clove hitch....................................................................................8
Timber hitch..................................................................................8
Lark’s head....................................................................................8
Bowline knot.................................................................................9
Sheet bend knot.............................................................................9
When To Use Knots and Lashings………………...……….…..10
Bibliography…………………………………………….……...11
2
Parts of a rope and knots....
Standing
End
3
Properties of rope fibers
STRENGTH
Manilla
Sisal
Cotton
Nylon
Polyester
Polypropylene
Polyethylene
Aramid*
UHMWPE* *
Breaking Tenacity Dry
(grams/denier)
Wet Strength vs. Dry Strength
Shock Load Absorption Ability
5.0-6.0
4.0-5.0
2.0-3.0
7.0-9.5
7.0-9.5
6.5
6.0
18-26.5
30.00
Up to 120%
Up to 120%
85-90%
100%
100%
100%
100%
95%
100%
Poor
Poor
Very Poor
Excellent
Good
Very Good
Fair
Poor
Fair
WEIGHT
Specific Gravity
Floats
1.38
1.38
1.54
1.14
1.38
0.91
0.65
1.44
0.97
No
No
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Manilla
Sisal
Cotton
Nylon
Polyester
Polypropylene
Polyethylene
Aramid*
UHMWPE* *
* Based on Dupont Kevlar® Data
* * Based on Allied Signal Spectra® Data - Type 900. Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene.
* * * Resistance is relative to the length of the exposure, percent of concentration and temperature.
ROPE ABRASION RESISTANCE
Manilla
Sisal
Cotton
Nylon
Polyester
Polypropylene
Polyethylene
Aramid*
UHMWPE* *
Surface
Internal
Good
Fair
Poor
Very Good
Excellent
Good
Good
Fair
Very Good
Fair
Fair
Fair
Excellent
Excellent
Good
Good
Fair
Excellent
4
Whipping rope ends- Prevents fraying of the ends.
Common Whipping
Lay the end of a length of suitably strong twine along the end of the rope and then, beginning at the
part furthest from the rope's end, take six or more turns against the lay of the rope around both the
rope itself and the twine end, (‘lay’ refers to the direction taken by the rope strands. A
majority twist, or 'lay', to the right.) and haul each as taut as possible.
Next, form a loop in the twine and lay the second loose end along the rope and over the turns
already made. To finish the whipping, continue taking turns around the rope, working towards its
end and passing the bight over the rope’s end with each turn. When the bight becomes too small to
pass over the end of the rope, pull the second loose end through the turns already made, haul it taut
and trim off the ends.
Melting.......................................................
Overhand knot...........................................
5
Figure eight knot.......................................
Fisherman’s knot................Two overhand knots giving a smooth
secure connection (21-30% rope strength reduction).
Square knot.............For tying two ends together, tends to slip (65%
rope strength reduction).
Surgeon’s knot...........The double twist at the bottom holds tight,
high resistance to slipping (5% rope strength reduction).
6
Half hitch.....................................A quick way to tie off to a post.
Two Half hitch.............A more secure way of tying off to a post
(25% rope strength reduction).
Taunt-line hitch...............................................An adjustable knot.
7
Clove hitch..................For tying off to a post (25% rope strength
reduction).
Timber hitch..............For hauling logs, timbers, heavy pipe, etc..
Lark’s head...................................A quick, loose temporary knot.
8
Bowline..........A non-sliding loop (40% rope strength reduction).
•
Tip. If you use this knot in a man carrying situation - perhaps a rescue where a
harness is unavailable - then you MUST use a stop knot
Sheet bend ...................For joining two different size ropes, high
resistance to slipping (50% rope strength reduction).
9
Sheepshank.........................................To shorten a rope too long.
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Bibliography;
Knots for the Outdoors.........Cliff Jacobson (2nd. Edition).
http://www.lehighgroup.com/KNOTS.HTM
http://www.geospectra.net/kite/knots/knots.htm
http://www.troop7.org/Knots/
http://www.42brghtn.mistral.co.uk/knots/42ktmenu.html
(Animated knot tying)
http://www.2020site.org/knots/
http://www.animatedknots.com/indexscouting.php?LogoImage=LogoGrog.jpg&Website=www.ani
matedknots.com
http://www.troop346.org/Skills.php
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