A few ideas for knots

[oldsoldier]

I'm putting together a pamphlet for my nephew, sort of a chaet sheet for bushcraft. I have covered nautral shelters, fire making, water, etc, and am doin a part on knots. I am thinking of doing 10 knots, as thats fairly simple to memorize, and will give him a wide pool to draw from. So, I am asking this of everyone here; what do YOU think would be the 10 best knots to learn? I have started a list: I'm looking for opinions to fill in the rest. So far, I have this:

1. Square knot
2. Clove hitch
3. Figure eight
4. Mooring hitch
5. Prusik knot

Feel free to fill in the rest!

 

[Longstrider]

I would add Bowline, Sheepshank, Sheet Bend (single and double) and Timber Hitch.

 

[Ogri the trog]

I'm putting together a pamphlet for my nephew, sort of a chaet sheet for bushcraft. I have covered nautral shelters, fire making, water, etc, and am doin a part on knots. I am thinking of doing 10 knots, as thats fairly simple to memorize, and will give him a wide pool to draw from.......

Hey Old Soldier,
Why not include in the package, a long bootlace so that he can practice the knots! I remember doing this in my Scouting years and I still remember them now because of the practice I was able to put in.

ATB

Ogri the trog

 

[Mr_Rimps]

A Tautline Hitch is a very useful knot too.

Have you see this?
www.netknots.com/html/pko.html

Good luck with the pamphlet

ATB
Andy

 

[Philr]

A round turn and two half hitches, a v good knot to add to your list

 

[Mikey P]

Double fisherman's.

 

[scanker]

...and a Constrictor Knot's an improvement on the clove hitch IMO.

I think the knots I use most often are the Sheet bend and Round turn and two half hitches. And a slip knot.

What about the Knife Lanyard Knot? He can learn the Carrick bend that way too.

 

[leon-b]

reef knot
leon

 

[scanker]

reef knot
leon

I think that's the "Square Knot" in American.

 

[sam_acw]

You should get him a copy of "Scouting for Boys" for his birthday. It was meant as a self instruction manual for teens. If he can get over the Imperial stuff then there is a lot of good information. One of the members on here has a "Traditional Scouting" website which has a structured way of teaching these skills on it.

 

[oldsoldier]

Hey folks, thanks for all the replies. I may expand it to 15 . A bootlace with it is an excellent idea! Wish I wouldve thought of that.

 

[Mikey P]

I know it's (k)not really as 'useful', but you could show him the square weave discussed on this thread (http://www.bushcraftuk.com/community/showthread.php?t=18223) as it also gives him something that he can keep and use afterwards, and a handy way to carry a length of cord.

I had fun doing it (apart from the bloody finishing knot!).

 

[Chance]

- Icicle hitch (for slippery wood)
- Angler's loop (for when your bowline keeps coming undone)
- Highwayman's hitch (for impressing his mates)
... and any of the many ones for tightening lines. After the bowline and the timber hitch, that'd be the one I use the most.

 

[al21]

I'd add a truckers hitch as one of my ten most frequently used knots and another for impressing mates, a turks head. Any chance we can see the end results of this please?

 

[faff]

the falconers knot.Very good knot iv found for hammocks and for tying down birds.

 

[woodwalker]

Hi,
Would go along with all of the above knots although instead of restricting yourself to just 15 knots, why not send him one a week or fortnight? The possibilities are endless...

Also check out this site - its an amazing resource for all things knotted with clear concise pics:

animated knots

woodwalker

 

[rich59]

Reef knot for general use.

Clove hitch for tying onto a limb

Round turn and 2 half hitches for a secure tie onto a limb

Japanese square lashing - looks real flash, real quick and simple

Sheet bend for joining thick and thin bits (can also make nets)

Fisherman's knot for a very secure tie

A simple whipping

Simple knot to stop an end of cord from fraying

Shoe lace knot (why do you think)

Granny knot - just so as you know what not to tie

 

[oldsoldier]

Again, thanks for all the replies! I like that little netknots thing, I may actually go with that. Why re invent the wheel, right?
As far as seeing the pamphlet; sure. I havent come up with a final design yet, & will be adding pics (may be a few weeks is what I'm getting at). But, when its done, I plan on putting it here so you all can pick it apart before I hand it to him. I am also going to use it as a basic handout for the scouts as well, as I am getting involved with them come fall.

 

[Matt Weir]

I vote...

Bowline - simple clamping loop.
Tautline Hitch - cool loop to create taut line.
Slipped Constrictor Hitch (quick release) - cool variation on bowline
Sheet Bend - tie two lengths of different cordage (relatively easy release knot)
Sheepshank - easily shorten a lenth of cordage already in use.
Highwaymans Hitch (quick release) - cool variation on bowline (not as secure!)

Matt.

 

[Apac]

If he has access to the internet maby u could tell him about this site mate, just a thought..

http://animatedknots.com/knotlist.php?LogoImage=LogoGrog.jpg&Website=www.animatedknots.com