Knots:  (We have below links to some good animated knot examples)

RED hyperlinks are external links

The following knots in sequence should be learned as you progress through the Scout advancement ranks... it a great idea to practice knots for future ranks to get comfortable tying them early. Knot is a generic term: "Hitches" are knots used to fasten a rope to something (such as a tree) while "Bends" are knots used to attach ropes to each other:

Scout:

1. Square Knot (or Reef Knot) This knot features in lots of Scout insignia, lots of variations.

Tenderfoot:

2. Two Half Hitches  Attach a rope to a pole or tree

3. Taut-Line Hitch  Make an adjustable loop e.g. tent guy line

Note - there are no new knot requirements for Second Class

First Class:

4. Timber Hitch  Attach a rope to a log to drag it along

5. Clove Hitch  Attach a rope to a pole to initiate a lashing

6. Bowline Knot  Pronounced "bo-lin" this rescue knot is related to a Sheet Bend

7. Sheet Bend (included in the Scout handbook but not listed in requirements - bonus)

Knot Variations:

There are some other knots that are related to these but are not requirements - you may enjoy learning them and can demonstrate them as variations at a Board of Review for extra credit:

A. Try square knot variations like the Granny/Thief/Grief/Surgeons & Simple-Simon Knot Family

B. A 'round turn' and two half hitches  -  add that extra turn around the pole...

C. A Rolling Hitch is like a Taut Line Hitch but is 'tucked' differently try both

D. Supplementing a Timber hitch with a half-hitch at the logs pulling-end is recommended

E.  A variation on a Clove Hitch turns it too into a Rolling Hitch (one extra turn under the cross)

F.  A Bowline can be tied one handed... also variations: French/Dutch or Bowline-on-a-bight

G. Try the Double/One-Way/Slipped Sheet Bend variations (slipped = a loop release)

H. Think about it... a double 'slipped' Square or Granny knot - which do you tie often?

Knots just for fun:

The Prussic or Double Prussic Knot is an interesting rescue knot used for climbing up a rope...

The Highwayman's Hitch a is fun to use quick release knot (one pull & its gone!)

The Sheep Shank is used to shorten/'repair' rope and is an 'old-time' Scout required knot

The Cow Hitch is still used by farmers and a general purpose knot (yes even for Cows!)

The Alpine Butterfly is a very good way to put handholds into a standing rope

Parts of a Rope:

When tying knots you will sometime see some odd terms used to describe parts of the rope...

Names like 'standing part/end', 'bitter end', 'bight', 'loop' and 'turn' and many others too describe parts of the rope or configurations that are useful to understanding knot tying instructions.

Here are some rope part definitions and diagrams

This site has some other introductory knot descriptions

This site has more knot tying examples

Books:

Recommended knot books - available from Scout Shops:

        BSA Pamphlet - "Knots and How To Tie Them"

        "The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Knots and Ropework"

        "The Book of Outdoor Knots"

        "Basic Essential Knots for the Outdoors, 2nd Edition"

Please - Report any broken (or inappropriate) links   (we have no control over how external content changes)
 

  Copyright 2006-2008 Troop 278, Ahwatukee, AZ  -  D. Forster - Webmaster     Page Hits Since 12/2008: