What's a bowline? What's a sheepshank? A how to guide to knots
These are the 11 knots all outdoorsmen and women need to know. Knowing how to tie a knot has long been one of the most important skills in the outdoors that the inexperienced takes for granted. However, the seasoned outdoorsman has had his fair share of successes and failures, so he knows the difference between good and bad knots for certain tasks. Here's how to tie them.
Bowline
Bowlines are used to create a fixed loop at the end of a rope.
Sheepshank
A shank is a type of knot that is used to shorten a rope or take up slack, such as the sheepshank. The sheepshank knot is not stable. It will fall apart under too much load or too little load.
Stopper Knot
Stopper knots are used to prevent lines from slipping through narrow holes.
Clove Hitch
Clove hitch knots are used to secure a line to a post.
Sheet Bend
A sheet bend is used to unite two ropes of different sizes.
Round-Turn and Two Half-Hitches
This knot is used to secure the end of a line to a fixed object.
Rolling Hitch
The rolling hitch is used to attach a line to another line or post.
Cleat Hitch
A cleat hitch is used to ensure a safe and secure mooring line.
Square Knot
A square knot is used for joining two ends of a single line to bind around an object.
Figure-Eight Knot
The figure-eight is a general-purpose stopper knot.
Double Fisherman's Knot
The double fisherman's knot is used to joining thin, stiff or slippery lines
This article originally appeared on Times Herald-Record: A guide to knots: sheepshanks, bowlines and more
