The Boy Scouts lists seven knots as the Basic set of knots to know. These are the Square Knot, the Bowline, Two Half Hitches, the Tautline Hitch, the Clove Hitch, the Timber Hitch, and the Sheepshank. We will take a look at some knots which are better than the Basics for their purposes .
Let's consider the Bowline. The Boy Scouts call it the "Rescue Knot". If you talk to expert climbers, they will tell you that the Bowline is not a safe knot. The Bowline is a good knot when you need a fixed loop at the end of a rope, but, if your life depends on it, don't use it! The knot which is recommended by rescue organizations is the Figure Eight Follow Through.
First tie a Figure Eight Knot. Begin by forming an Overhand Loop. Pass the running end behind the standing part and down through the front of the Overhand Loop.
The Figure Eight Knot is classified as a stopper knot. It is very useful as a knot in place of whipping the end of a rope to keep it from fraying.
To make our Figure Eight Follow Through, move back,
from the running end, twice the length of the desired loop
plus about six inches and tie a Figure Eight Knot.
Now take the running end and, where it came out of our Figure Eight Knot, retrace the path it took.
The Figure Eight Follow Through may also be used to join two ropes. It is more reliable than the Sheet Bend and far more reliable that the Square Knot.
The Tautline or Tent Hitch is a great knot when an adjustable loop is needed. Properly tied, it adjusts easily and holds the adjustment well. The Adjustable Grip Knot is a better one for the purpose. It is about as easy to tie, also adjusts easily, but the grip is more secure.
(This description is from An Assortment of Single-Loop Knots)
The Alpine Butterfly is generally considered to be one of the strongest and most secure loop knots. Ashley says that "It has an excellent lead and is strong, secure, and easily tied; a better knot in every way than the Harness Loop." (The Ashley Book of Knots, p.190, #1053).
To tie this knot, give the rope two twists as in the first picture. This creates two loops. Put your hand through the upper loop (picture 2), then put your fingers through the other loop (picture 3). Bring the upper loop over to your fingers (picture 4), then grab the upper loop with your thumb and finger and pull your hand all the way out. In picture 5, the loop that you pulled through the knot is now hanging down at the bottom, and notice that the knot looks like two intertwined Overhand Knots. Dress and set the knot (picture 6). This looks a little complicated when it is captured in pictures, but it is actually quite simple and quick to do.
http://www.layhands.com/knots/
- The Most Useful Rope Knots For The Average Person To
Know
http://www.realknots.com/index.htm - Roper's Knot
Page
(http://www.mistral.co.uk/42brghtn/knots/)
Animated knots for
Scouts and Guides
http://www.northnet.org/ropeworks/text/rbi.html
- Rope Works
http://www.iland.net/~jbritton/index.html
- Knot Knowledge
http://www.earlham.edu/~peters/knotlink.htm
- Knots on the Web