Knots & Ropecraft

[The Ace of Spades]

For those of you that are interested in learning some basic knots, or expanding your knowledge of knots, this is a great website for just that.

http://www.animatedknots.com

Hope this helps somebody out!

Ace.

[tigs]

its always useful knowing how to tie a knot

[nickdutch]

I used to do sailing. as well as the reef knot, the only other ones we used alot was the "round turn and two half hitches", the bowline, clove hitch and an assortment of other hitches to help with most knotting.

[The Ace of Spades]

I began getting interested in tying knots almost 9 years ago when I was working on a theatre production. I was inspired by the Stage Manager at the time after watching him rig a piece of gear using a few knots he knew. Since then, I have been learning as many knots as I can over time and as new and better knots are required. I now have a repertoire of 85 different knots. I don't use every knot that I know, but I just like learning new ones for fun. I utilise the most useful of them all the time when camping, abseiling, climbing, and also at work when required. Some favourites are: Siberian Hitch, Farramond Friction Hitch, 6 Finger Prusik, Anchor Hitch, Clove Hitch, Figure 8, Figure 8 on a Bight, Square Knot, Double Carrick Bend, Triple Fisherman's Bend, Canadian Jam Knot, Square Lashing, and the Bowline. I could go on, but I don't see the need.

I would encourage anybody to learn a few basic knots, you never know when one will be of use to you, and it's best to know how to tie a knot properly and safely - especially if that rope is supporting your weight or holding crucial equipment in place.

Ace.

[Brunel]

As a nipper an ex-matelot taught me a very useful technique to tie a bowline one-handed. Once learned, never forgotten - like riding a bike!. You can use the same technique to do behind your back or in total darkness. Also very useful is a crown knot for starting a back-splice - in fact all splicing (hard eye, soft eye) and whipping are useful to know. Canvas work too for making buckets, water carriers, bags, sails etc.

[The Ace of Spades]

Brunel. I learned to tie the one-handed Bowline about two years ago, never tried it behind my back, though. Would imagine that to take a while to master. I've not tried splicing or whipping yet, but definitely useful to know - especially splicing if you work on boats as mooring lines (especially on big boats/ships) have the loops in the end of the lines made by splicing techniques.

Ace.

[nightowl]

Found this good little 3D app from the Australian Navy some time ago

http://www.navy.gov.au/media-room/multimedia