i would like to post a knot challenge. list the knots you would recommend as most useful on the trail, no more than 3 total, and list the uses for it.
yes i know there are a couple other very good knot threads. but so many times folks dont tell what they use the knots for.

1 and 2 taut line hitch, and clove hitch for pitching my tarp. 3? Probably square knot, or sheet bend, to tie two ropes together.

1. - round turn and two half hitches with second hitch slipped - attaching tarp line or hammock strap to trees
2. not really a knot - wrap side lines of tarp onto gutter nails (aka tent pegs) about 20 times or so - holds as good as a knot but much easier to untie - if neet to increase tension on tarp line just toss a few more loops over the head of the nail
3. bowline knot - general use for non-adjustable loops in line

runners up:
4. constrictor knot - for water bottle dummy cords and to hold bottle for throwing bear bag line over tree limb
5. butterfly - a way of keeping lines from getting tangled - figure 8 loops with a wrap where the cross is

Double slipped square knot. I tie it twice every morning and a couple more times during the day, whenever I take off my shoes.

Double slipped square knot. I tie it twice every morning and a couple more times during the day, whenever I take off my shoes.

I used to use that one but these days a cord lock is faster and doesn't untie itself while bushwhacking

Bowline-makes a fixed loop, lots of uses
Truckers hitch-Guy lines, securing loads to roof racks and trailers
Clove hitch-secure bear hang lines to tree

wise man told me once while climbing "just tie a knot that won't come undone until you want it to, that's all you need to know".

wise man told me once while climbing "just tie a knot that won't come undone until you want it to, that's all you need to know".

Well, that's the trick, isn't it?

Bowline -- lots of uses for a loop that won't get smaller, and comes untied easily. Though a figure-8 loop works well, too.

Prusik knot -- useful for hammock hangers, can be used on tarp guy lines.

Timber hitch -- holds tight to a tree, easy to take out. Easy hitch for one end of a tarp.

Clove hitch -- hitch guy line to tent stake (gutter nail??), quick and easy.

Square (Reef) knots -- Not good. They come apart too easily. (Think how many times your shoelaces come undone.)

Cool resource: http://www.animatedknots.com/

Slip knot- I use it on my hammock suspension, tarp ridgeline, tarp guy lines, bear bags. I tie two in series on the rope. It holds great and is easy to get undone.

bow line- makes that great loop to hang stuff on.

taut line hitch for tensioning lines.

Taughtline hitch- Tarps to stakes/trees/rocks
Sheet bend- Plastic poly tarp corners to stakes/trees/rocks
make a loop and tie a granny knot- alot of stuff.

Taught line, two half hitches and clove hitch. I have used a few more but those are the most used.

Yep! Works for me.Double slipped square knot. I tie it twice every morning and a couple more times during the day, whenever I take off my shoes.

1. Taut-line hitch
2. Bowline
3. Clove Hitch

a close 4th: the whole family of figure 8 knots: figure 8, figure 8 follow through, figure 8 on a bight, double figure 8, etc.

Throw in a square knot, sheet bend, water knot(for webbing), Munter hitch and Prusik knot and you can do and tie anything you'll ever need to, on or off the trail.

wise man told me once while climbing "just tie a knot that won't come undone until you want it to, that's all you need to know".

Very wise.

Navy knots. "If can't tie a good knot, tie plenty of them."

i would like to post a knot challenge. list the knots you would recommend as most useful on the trail, no more than 3 total, and list the uses for it.
yes i know there are a couple other very good knot threads. but so many times folks dont tell what they use the knots for.

1. tautline hitch - used for adjustable guylines on tent/tarp
2. clove hitch - tying guylines to stakes or trees
3. sheep shank - used for taking up excess line without cutting

this has been a great thread! i have investigated several knots i hadnt thought of using.
has anyone tried a timber hitch for a hammock?

has anyone tried a timber hitch for a hammock?


Yes, many times. Works great for one end (the first tree) of a hammock hang. Not so well for the second tree -- it's too difficult to tie the hitch under tension. But it's an easy, fast, very secure hitch for that first tree.

hmmmm. interesting. i will have to try it.
i assume that its only good for cord, not webbing.

this has been a great thread! i have investigated several knots i hadnt thought of using.
has anyone tried a timber hitch for a hammock?

Hadn't really given any thought to using a timber hitch for this purpose. But thinking about it now, I guess it would probably do a pretty good job on the 1st tree like Bigcranky suggests.

One of the reason's it has now sparked my interest is because I have been contemplating trying out hammocking, as my back doesn't tolerate sleeping on the cold hard ground so much since having back surgery, and I was wondering what type of hitches or straping system would work best and be easy to release the next morning.

Bowline.
Round turn and two half hitches (yeah the clove hitch is often better but less universal).
Reef knot. (gotta have something for tieing my shoes :) )

Geez, ya gotta give hammockers a few extra. If we only get 3, they should get at least 4.
Oh yeah, those mountaineers may want to cheat a little also. :D

3...4....potatoe pohtahtoh.
i just wondered what the most lucrative and flexible and mult-tasking knots for hikers there were.
im in the middle of roofing my 13/12 pitch house and im deep into remembering my rappelling and climbing knots. but the knots that are most useful around the camp can be so different. im looking forward to testing that timber hitch on my hammock.

NOT!

geek

but the knots that are most useful around the camp can be so different. im looking forward to testing that timber hitch on my hammock.


Just choose a tree with thick, protective bark. Otherwise the hammock line will cut in too far. (Might be able to tie a timber hitch with webbing - never tried it.)

On a related note, I just ordered two 15-foot sections of 1-inch poly webbing and the new JRB tri-glides for my hammock setup. No more knots or hitches for me....

one i don't see on here that i've tied on my tent lines to my tent with is the "water knot"
It's a good one and none of them have come undone for 2 thru's now.

Taught line and square, don't use the others enuff to even remember how to tie.
Next trip, I'll take my Scout handbook, sit around the fire and practice a few.

bowline is over rated. try the angler's knot.

Forgot..Improved clinch knot, use that one most of all.

Taut line hitch - for tent guy lines
Trucker's hitch - for tarp rain shelter/tent
surgeon's knot - for keeping boot laces tied

ok, heres my list, after much research

fishermans knot...ties two lines together.
alpine knot...make a good loop anywhere in a line that can be pulled eitehr direction without giving
bowline...good strong loop. from tying boats to makeing a life loop.
prussik....for emergency climbing or tightening cinches. can be slid but holds tight under pressure.
girth hitch...great basic hitch