General information - Knots, Bends & HitchesAshleys Book of Knots defines the following:
Hitches. - Hitches are used to make a rope fast to another object, such as a ring, a spar, or a stanchion.
Bends. - Bends are used to secure two rope ends together.
Knots. - The term 'Knot' is applied particularly to 'Knobs' and 'Loops', and anything else not included in the Bends or Hitches class.
In ropes made of Polyester, Polyamide, Polyproylene and Polyethylene,
the inclusion of a Knot, Bend or Hitch will weaken the rope by approximately:
40% reduction in breaking strain for a Bend
40% reduction in breaking strain for a Knot
20% reduction in breaking strain for a HitchHowever, in high modular ropes (Dyneema, Vectran, Kevlar, ETC), a Knot, Bend or hitch can
reduce the breaking strain of the rope by at least 70%This is due to the high modular fibres being quite weak in compression. Also, high modular rope is quite slick, and knots like the bowline will crawl apart, even under low loads.
KNOTS, BENDS & HITCHES GUIDE |
| Description | Remarks | Uses |
Bowline | Knot | The Bowline makes a secure loop in the end of a peice of rope. It can be easily undone with the load off. | Fastening to a Mooring Ring or attaching a sheet to the clew of a sail to name a few. |
Figure of 8 Knot | Knot | Quick and easy Stopper knot that does not bind. | Stopper knot to prevent rope from un-reeving through a block or tackle |
Sheet Bend | Bend | Easy to tie, and is easily adjustable. | Used for temporarily joining two ropes of unequal size. (It works equally well if the ropes are of the same size!) |
Double Sheet Bend | Bend | Easy to tie and adjustable. | Used for joining two ropes of significantly unequal size. |
Reef Knot | Bend ! | Although the Reef Knot is a Bend it should NOT be used as a Bend, as it can spill apart. | Used to tie around an object ie binding rolled sails or tying packages. |
Round Turn & 2 Half Hitches | Hitch | Easy to tie and undo after use | Fastening to ring or stanchion with a right angled load. |
Fishermans Knot | Bend ! | These can be single (2 x overhand knots) or double (2 x double overhand knots - Better) | Used to connect 2 lengths of simular size rope |
Fishermans Bend | Hitch ! | Similar to the Round Turn and two half Hitches, but the first half hitch being through the round turns. | Used to secure a rope to an Anchor. |
Rolling Hitch | Hitch | Easy to tie and adjust, constrict as load is applied. | Used for tying a rope around a pole or onto another rope with a sideways load. |
Clove Hitch | Hitch | Easy to tie and undo when the load is off. | Used to secure a load with a vertical pull. |
Timber Hitch | Hitch | Easy to tie and undo, constricts as more load is applied. | Used in conjunction with a half hitch for pulling or lifting a light load, eg a plank. |
Monkeys Fist | Knot | Relatively simple knot | Used to weight the end of a rope for use as a Heaving Line |
Turks Head | Knot | This is mainly Decorative Ropework | Used on poles, tillers and wheels, can also be used to strengthen cracked poles |
For more information on how to tie these and more Knots, Bends & Hitches, please visit
Animated Knots