Climbing knots
From MeritBadgeDotOrg
Special Knots, and Advanced Knots, for Wolf, Bear, Webelos, Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class.
Contents |
Here are the climbing knots for Scouts, Venturers, and Sea Scouts.
Other climbing knots with animated instructions are on other pages:
- Bowline is on the basic Knots page.
- Bowline on a bight is on the Sailing knots page.
- Fisherman's knot is on the Fishing knots page.
Alpine Butterfly knot
The Alpine Butterly Knot provides a secure loop in the middle of a line.
The Ashley Book of Knots # 1053, p 191 Grog notes: "The Alpine Butterfly provides a secure loop in the middle of a piece of rope. Load can be safely applied: from the loop to either end of the rope; between the two ends with the loop hanging free; or, to the loop with the load spread between the two ends."
- Required for
- Video Lessons
- Grog's Animated Knots: Alpine Butterfly - Video: Alpine Butterfly Knot -Video: Alpine Butterfly Bend
Double fisherman's knot
The Double Fisherman's Knot is a strong knot for tying two similar size ropes or lines together.
The Ashley Book of Knots # 294, p 50 Grog notes: "The Double Fisherman's Knot consists of two double overhand knots, each tied round the other standing end."
- Required for
- Climbing Merit Badge #7, Mountaineering (Ranger Award elective) #3.
- Video Lessons
Figure eight on a bight
- Also see: Figure eight.
The Ashley Book of Knots # 1085, p 197 and The Ashley Book of Knots # 1047, p. 190 Grog notes: "The Double Figure Eight Loop is based on the simple figure of eight stopper knot (picture on right). For photography, the two loops (above) have been made small."
The Figure 8 on a bight (Figure Eight Loop) is an easy to tie knot to put a loop at the end of a rope but can be very hard to untie. The Figure Eight Loop is also known as a Flemish Loop and is functionally the same as a Figure Eight Follow Through. Figure Eight Loop is like a Figure Eight but tied using a loop (bight) instead of a single rope.
- Required for
- Instructions
- Tie a Figure Eight Knot using a loop (or bight) instead of a single rope, loop over the top. Loop under. Go down through the hole. Pull tight.
- Lesson Videos
- Grog's Animated Knots: Fig 8 Double Loop - Wonder How To Video: Double Figure Eight Loop Knot (Bunny Ears) - Wonder How To Video: Double Figure Of Eight Knot For Fishing - Grog's Animated Knots: Figure Eight Double Loop
Figure eight follow-through
- Also see: Figure eight.
Grog notes: "The Figure Eight Follow Through allows the simple and reliable figure eight loop to be tied to a ring, a carabiner, or your own harness. It is easily remembered, easily visualized, and easily checked."
- Required for
- Climbing Merit Badge #7, Mountaineering (Ranger Award elective) #3.
- Instructions
- Tie a Figure Eight as you normally would with a loop over the top. Loop under. Go down through the hole. Instead of pulling tight, loop back into the knot retracing the path of the Figure Eight. Pull tight.
- Video Lessons
Figure eight on bend
- Also see: Figure eight.
The Ashley Book of Knots # 1411, p 258 Per Ashly: "The Figure-Eight Bend...is seldom used. It is bulky and bothersome to tie..."
- Required for
- Climbing Merit Badge #7
- Video Lessons
Figure eight knot
Comments
- Required for
Prusik knot
The Ashley Book of Knots # 1763, p. 300) The Prusik Knot attaches smaller cord or tape to a larger rope, providing a handhold or attachment point.
- Required for
- Video Lessons
Safety knot
- Required for
- Climbing Merit Badge #7
Water knot
The Ashley Book of Knots # 296, p 50 Ashly states that the Water Knot is"compact and reliable."
- Required for
- Climbing Merit Badge #7
- Instructions
- Tie an overhand knot loosely in one of the two ropes or straps to be joined. Thread the second rope or strap in the reverse direction following the overhand knot in the other rope or strap. Pull both tight at the same time.
- Video Lessons
External links
- Animated Knots: Basic Scout Knots • Forty Scout knots • Special Knots • Sailing knots • Fishing knots • Folsoms Knots • Animatedknots.com • Great Animations • More Animated Knots • More great Animated Knots • Still more • Knot Videos • Basics Videos • Basics2
- Other Knot Links: Advanced knots • Ropers Knots Page • Climbing Knots • Fishing knots • Knots Index
- Step-By-Step knots
: 11 Basic knots fit on the front and back of one page.
- Six Boy Scout knots
by John Geffre
- All lower rank knots
(2MB PDF)
- When to use knots lashings
(152K PDF)
- Ian's Shoelace Site
- The Notable knot Index