Bowline knots are versatile and very secure. They're also easy to tie. Read ahead to learn the steps of tying this knot.
Popular for security, bowline knot has a variety of uses. This is easy to tie and untie, and has been used since ancient times to form a secure loop at the end of the rope for varied purposes. Although considered safe, sometimes it tends to get loose and takes up a lot of rope in capsizing.
To overcome these problems, there are different secure variations that have been developed over time.
For example, 'bowline on a bight' is one of the types that forms fixed-size loops that are more secure and are very unlikely to loosen up.
Therefore it's one of the best choices for tying up a climbing harness, say for rock climbing. The other choice is the figure-8 knot.
Referred to as the 'King of the Knots', this is one of the four maritime knots. The other knots include: the figure-8, the clove hitch, and the reef.
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The bowline resembles the sheet bend, the only difference being that it is tied using a single rope whereas the sheet bend uses two ropes to join and form a knot.
Method of Tying
Step 1: Hold the short end of the rope in one hand, form a little loop (often known as the rabbit hole) by crossing the short end over the long end.
Step 2: Take the long end of the rope out through the loop.
Step 3: Pass the short end of the rope behind the long end, forming a loop, and insert the short end into that loop.
Step 4: Finally, tighten the knot by pulling both ends of the rope in the opposite directions.
This knot could be used in a variety of ways. Its traditional use is in sailing small crafts and tying a jib sheet to the clew of a jib, or fastening a halyard to the head of the sail.
Uses
It is quite useful while camping. In fact, the Federal Aviation Administration has recommended bowline to tie down a light aircraft. It would be useful to those who indulge in adventure or extreme sports.
There are other variations of this knot that include:
Water bowline
Double bowline
Yosemite bowline
French bowline
Try to tie one around your waist for practice, and you'll master the art of tying a bowline anywhere.
An easy way to remember is: "Lay the bight to make a hole Then under the back and around the pole Over the top and through the eye Clinch it tight and let it lie."