Knots for tightening Tarp Ridgerope

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knotstar

Member
Oct 9, 2012
13
0
London, UK.
Hi all, the last couple of days I have been busy making new types of knots, because most of the old ones dont meet my needs.
You see I only use knots that are quick and easy to tie, but even more importantly, that are quick and easy to untie (quick release), even after being heavily loaded.
I invented the "First End Tarp Knot" a couple of years ago, specifically for tying the first end of a Tarp support rope to a tree or post.
Yesterday though, I invented a better version which I am going to simply call the "Tarp Knot"...Better because its even quicker to release than the First End Tarp Knot, but just as secure.
On the other end of the tarp support rope, I use a Drivers Knot to put tension on the rope and a simple slip hitch to lock it in place, under tension.
The Drivers Knot, not to be confused with the Truckers Hitch, is like a Dolly Knot, only much simpler and quicker to tie...I was taught it by an old prop returns driver in the film industry and trust me its one the most essential knots everyone should know.
It can be tied anywhere along a rope almost instantly, and released instantly too. I made a video tonight showing me tying it very slowly so you can see how to do it...Normally I tie it much faster than this:
file21402czractxttgtqawofclz.mp4
 

Sappy

Forager
Nov 28, 2011
155
0
Braemar
Surely all the knots you need to know are Siberian and tautline hitch? Possibly add clove hitch for tying to pegs but you could use a Siberian hitch for that.

I've never used a full ridgeline though instead I tie the corners and middle to get it as tight as drum.

If you can't be bothered learning these knots, use round turn and two half hitches tied on the bight everywhere and you'll get almost the exact same result
 

Teepee

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Jan 15, 2010
4,115
5
Northamptonshire
If i tie a ridgline, I use the Evenk/Siberian hitch on both ends. The end that gets tensioned is wrapped twice round the tree. The Evenk will loosen the ridgeline slightly as it beds in from banjo tight to just right. I don't use tight ridgeline as it marks trees and stresses the line more than needed.

My normal setup uses a Titanium Dutch Flyz to tension the ridgeline and a homemade heat treated aluminium hook to fix around the other upright
 

knotstar

Member
Oct 9, 2012
13
0
London, UK.
Surely all the knots you need to know are Siberian and tautline hitch? Possibly add clove hitch for tying to pegs but you could use a Siberian hitch for that.

I've never used a full ridgeline though instead I tie the corners and middle to get it as tight as drum.

If you can't be bothered learning these knots, use round turn and two half hitches tied on the bight everywhere and you'll get almost the exact same result

You should always use a ridgeline for a Tarp or you can damage the Tarp!
The Tarp should be hung underneath the taut ridgeline via the 3 loops provided (assuming of course that your using an army Basha Tarp), and tensioned via 1.5mm comms cord prussic knots from the end loops to the ridgeline. I usually string another length of 3mm or 5mm Paracord under the ridge of the tarp to hang my boots and Bergan from in the dry...This avoids putting additional strain on the tarp itself. Last thing you need it a ripped Tarp.
You can use whatever other knots you like to tie the ridgeline but you can find all the info you need to hand your tarp in the AZ of bushcraft video "S is for shelter" on youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYXEyKYjOqE
 

Teepee

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Jan 15, 2010
4,115
5
Northamptonshire
Sounds interesting Pete
Can you take a picture and show us please?

ta

Mark

Yes Mark, I'll take some snaps at the weekend. I have been digging through looking for some pics of the double Evenk and they are all out of focus :rolleyes:

It would be a good idea to make a new thread too after a few years of tweaking and swapping allsorts of bits, I'm finally reasonably happy with my setups speed and ease of use. :)
 

Joonsy

Native
Jul 24, 2008
1,483
3
UK
The problem with the evenk knot/siberian hitch is that needs two hands to tie it and requires rediculously gymnastic hand movements as well...Its far too complicated for the job!
I have invented a far simpler knot, I call simply "the Tarp Knot", which is so easy to tie it can even be tied with just one hand!
I have just put a video on youtube showing how to tie it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3jmpXL4Kcw&feature=youtu.be

i just watched that video, the 'drivers' knot as you call it would never be used for towing (what you said in video) by any truck driver, it is used as a pulley system for securing loads, it is totally unsuitable for towing because the knot only holds together under tension. Your one-handed knot was one hand plus knee, a hand and a knee requires more gymnastics than using two hands, the evenk is childishly simple.
 

knotstar

Member
Oct 9, 2012
13
0
London, UK.
I just watched that video, the 'drivers' knot as you call it would never be used for towing (what you said in video) by any truck driver, it is used as a pulley system for securing loads, it is totally unsuitable for towing because the knot only holds together under tension.

I said it was for pulling.


Your one-handed knot was one hand plus knee, a hand and a knee requires more gymnastics than using two hands, the evenk is childishly simple.

Oh really? Well here are two scenarios that will test how simple it is:

1) You are hiking alone, many miles from help and have recently fallen over some slippery rocks and fractured or broken one hand or wrist.
You desperately need to string at least one end of a ridgeline for your tarp ASAP before it gets too dark and the fast approaching storm clouds on the horizon reach you. You suddenly realise that is impossible to tie an Evenk Knot with one hand, but it is the only knot you know for tying the first end of a ridgeline. You regret not taking more notice of knotstars video showing how to tie his simple Tarp Knot, that can be tied one handed, but you were too stuck in your ways and too old to learn new tricks, so dismissed it out of hand (if you will forgive the pun!).
The pain in your broken hand or wrist is so excruciating that try as you might you simply cant manage to tie your Evenk knot. Before you know it, it suddenly gets dark and the storm hits...Without shelter you die of exposure before dawn breaks the next day...All thats is left is a pile of bleached bones and a rucsack containing a tarp that couldn't be used.

Or

2) You are hiking alone, many miles from help and have recently fallen over some slippery rocks and fractured or broken one hand or wrist.
You desperately need to string at least one end of a ridgeline for your tarp ASAP before it gets dark and the fast approaching storm clouds on the horizon reach you.
With your one good hand and one knee against the trunk to steady yourself you quickly and easily manage to tie off the first end of the ridgeline with knotstars new Tarp Knot you recently heard about on BushcraftUK.com, and you are glad you watched his video.
You pull the other end tight down to a small tree stump and loop it round until it binds...Obviously your in a hurry so this seems perfectly acceptable practice to you. As it is, it will surfice.
Next you manage to drag the tarp over the ridgeline and secure it down as simply as possible on the corners with the paracord guy lines that you already had ready in your rucksack.
It gets dark and the storm hits but you now have shelter so your not worried...You wake up the next day, shaken, but alive and well and able to make your way back to the nearest town to seek help.

...It seems you will be the one dying exposure Joonsy, not me!
 
Last edited:

Retired Member southey

M.A.B (Mad About Bushcraft)
Jun 4, 2006
11,098
13
your house!
I would just tie a simple figure eight at bother ends ad on the guys, look chap your knot I yours and to you seems simple the evenk to me is simpler, we don't have to agree. :)
 

Joonsy

Native
Jul 24, 2008
1,483
3
UK
I said it was for pulling.

...It seems you will be the one dying exposure Joonsy, not me!

you said and to quote yourself ''suppose you have a heavy load to tow''

you don't know my knowledge of knots (nor me yours) i was taught from childhood by my seaman father and have been using them for over 45 years where safety is paramount. Your ''brand-new'' knot as you call it is donkeys years old and is nothing more than a variant of a slipped half-hitch.
 

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