The Rope
Dear Friend, A good knot can save lives when you're dealing with a survival situation, performing first aid, setting traps and snares, fishing lines, climbing and much more. However, you’ll first need to know how to tie one. So, to make sure you know what you’re doing with your rope, next time you head into the wild, try learning these 13 important survival knots. Because using them incorrectly risks having your line snap, or needing to cut yourself free if you can’t loosen it – wasting your resources at best, and endangering lives at worst. And you’ll be stunned at the difference a knot can make. There’s good reason our military have trained men to tie them for generations. Knots has always been a skill the inexperienced take for granted, but any experienced outdoorsman, has had enough successes (and failures) to know there’s always a good knot, but only if the rope maintains its quality. That’s why we’re also telling you how to keep your rope in premium condition, so it never breaks. P.S: Remember, sharing is caring, so please also share this information with any friend, family or acquaintance you think could benefit!
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Table of Contents DISCLAIMER ................................................................................................................................... 4 The Rope ........................................................................................................................................ 6 Types of Rope .............................................................................................................................................................. 6 Laid Rope .................................................................................................................................................................. 6 Sash Cord or Clothesline ..................................................................................................................................... 7 Woven Rope ............................................................................................................................................................ 7 Binder twine ............................................................................................................................................................. 7 How to Care for Your Rope .................................................................................................................................... 7 Basic Rope Care Guide ......................................................................................................................................... 8 How to Clean Rope ............................................................................................................................................... 8 How to Work the Rope to Prepare for Knotting ............................................................................................ 9 How to soften a new manila rope ................................................................................................................... 9 Rope Kinks.................................................................................................................................................................. 10 How to Remove Kinks from Rope ................................................................................................................ 10 How to Preserve a Rope When Not in Use .................................................................................................... 10 How to Coil a Rope ............................................................................................................................................ 10 Flat Coil ................................................................................................................................................................... 11 How to Uncoil the Rope ................................................................................................................................... 11
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How to Inspect Ropes ....................................................................................................................................... 11 Rope Whipping ........................................................................................................................................................ 12 Knots............................................................................................................................................. 19 Overhand Knot ......................................................................................................................................................... 20 Figure-of-Eight ......................................................................................................................................................... 22 Square Knot ............................................................................................................................................................... 24 Sheet Bend ................................................................................................................................................................. 27 Taut-Line-Hitch or Midshipman's Hitch .......................................................................................................... 30 Clove Hitch ................................................................................................................................................................. 35 Two Half Hitches ...................................................................................................................................................... 37 Timber Hitch .............................................................................................................................................................. 42 Bowline ........................................................................................................................................................................ 45 Lariat Loop ................................................................................................................................................................. 48 ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 51 Pipe Hitch ................................................................................................................................................................... 52 Sheepshank................................................................................................................................................................ 56 Slipknot ....................................................................................................................................................................... 61 Resources ..................................................................................................................................... 65 Survivopedia Articles on Bushcraft and Outdoors ...................................................................................... 65
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DISCLAIMER THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN “KNOT A PROBLEM: 13 Knot Tying Basics for Survival and Everyday Use” IS MEANT TO SERVE AS A COMPREHENSIVE COLLECTION OF STRATEGIES THAT ARE ONLY RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE AUTHORS, AND READING THIS EBOOK DOES NOT GUARANTEE THAT ONE’S RESULTS WILL EXACTLY MIRROR OUR OWN RESULTS. THE AUTHOR OF “KNOT A PROBLEM: 13 Knot Tying Basics for Survival and Everyday Use” HAS MADE ALL REASONABLE EFFORTS TO PROVIDE CURRENT AND ACCURATE INFORMATION FOR THE READERS OF THIS COURSE. THE AUTHOR WILL NOT BE HELD LIABLE FOR ANY UNINTENTIONAL ERRORS OR OMISSIONS THAT MAY BE FOUND. THE MATERIAL IN “KNOT A PROBLEM: 13 Knot Tying Basics for Survival and Everyday Use” MAY INCLUDE INFORMATION, PRODUCTS, OR SERVICES BY THIRD PARTIES. THIRD PARTY MATERIALS COMPRISE OF THE PRODUCTS AND OPINIONS EXPRESSED BY THEIR OWNERS. AS SUCH, THE AUTHORS OF THIS GUIDE DO NOT ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY OR LIABILITY FOR ANY THIRD PARTY MATERIAL OR OPINIONS.THE PUBLICATION OF SUCH THIRD PARTY MATERIALS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE AUTHORS’ GUARANTEE OF ANY INFORMATION, INSTRUCTION, OPINION, PRODUCTS OR SERVICE CONTAINED WITHIN THE THIRD PARTY MATERIAL. WHETHER BECAUSE OF THE GENERAL EVOLUTION OF THE INTERNET, OR THE UNFORESEEN CHANGES IN COMPANY POLICY AND EDITORIAL SUBMISSION GUIDELINES, WHAT IS STATED AS FACT AT THE TIME OF THIS WRITING, MAY BECOME OUTDATED OR SIMPLY INAPPLICABLE AT A LATER DATE. THIS MAY APPLY TO THE “KNOT A PROBLEM: 13 Knot Tying Basics for Survival and Everyday Use” AS WELL AS THE VARIOUS SIMILAR COMPANIES THAT WEHAVE REFERENCED IN THIS EBOOK, AND OUR SEVERAL COMPLEMENTARY GUIDES. GREAT EFFORT HAS BEEN EXERTED TO SAFEGUARD THE ACCURACY OF THIS WRITING. OPINIONS REGARDING SIMILAR WEBSITE PLATFORMS HAVE BEEN FORMULATED AS A RESULT OF BOTH PERSONAL EXPERIENCE, AS WELL AS THE WELL DOCUMENTED EXPERIENCES OF OTHERS. NO PART OF THIS PUBLICATION SHALL BE REPRODUCED OR SOLD BY ANY ELECTRONIC, MECHANICAL OR OTHER MEANS WITHOUT THE WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE AUTHORS. ANY AND ALL REQUESTS FOR SUCH PERMISSION SHOULD BE SENT BY TO [email protected]. COPYRIGHT 2016 SURVIVOPEDIA™, “KNOT A PROBLEM: 13 Knot Tying Basics for Survival and Everyday Use”
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13 Survival Knots to Practice and How to Care for Your Ropes In a survival scenario you will find the use of rope is essential to your survival. Choosing good rope and making knots properly is every bit as other skills that you are developing in preparation for a major crisis. If you use the wrong knot, or type of rope, it could lead to a disaster. For safety sake know what knots, and rope materials to use. Over the years’ knot tying has become a diverse practice with many specialty designs used in different jobs and occupations. This report will show you how to choose and care for rope as well as how to tie 13 of the most important knots for survival needs.
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The Rope You have a piece of rope, then you just tie the knot, nothing could be easier you think. Basically, it’s true. But there is much more to say about it, and we’ll talk about it in a minute. Before you can do any knot tying:
You must know which rope to use.
How much weight the rope can support vs the expected load weight.
Which knot to use for the application
The condition of the rope
Types of Rope There are four basic types of commonly available rope:
Laid Rope It is made from natural and synthetic fibers. These fibers are often twisted into yarns, then into strands, and finally twisted into rope. This is done in such a way that the twists are equalized so the rope is stable but flexible. Although laid rope patterns are very common and good for making knots, they are not recommended for rappelling, suspending heavy weights, or for long term durability. Each time you use the rope or put weight on it, the fibers will rub into each other and wear excessively internally. This can be very hard to spot and spell disaster if it breaks at the wrong moment.
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Laid rope is still the easiest for knotting and you can start off with it until you master the basic steps for each knot.
Sash Cord or Clothesline Is woven of cotton and glazed with starch or other filler. It is unreliable and clumsy for knot tying and also not good for applications other than hanging clothes.
Woven Rope Synthetic fibers are often woven or braided into line or rope in smaller diameters. Some braided ropes may also have non-woven or specialty fiber cores that will not rub and wear as quickly as other configurations. In terms of survival needs, you should choose several different kinds of braided rope and then practice making knots with them so that you are always ready for any situation. You should also know how to prevent unraveling, which is done by fusing with a flame or hot iron instead of whipping.
Binder twine is too weak to be used in knots where strength is needed and should be avoided.
How to Care for Your Rope How people care for their rope depends on the individual. Some people totally neglect the rope leaving it without whipped ends, unraveling, or trailing in the water if used in boating. Then you have those individuals that are very obsessive. They take rope care way beyond what a normal person would do.
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Whatever your habit is, always give your rope a good inspection at the time you buy it and inspect it regularly as well as before each use.
Basic Rope Care Guide Life expectancy of your rope depends on the way are care of it. Rope manufactures have recommended retirement schedules that state the life of a rope. How long you will use a rope depends on your own inspection, knowledge of the rope's history, and assessment of the rope. To increase its life expectancy, keep in mind the following:
Always keep your rope off the ground to protect it from dirt containing sharp small chips and crystals. If dirt or sharp bits of debris get into the rope, they can scratch the fibers and weaken them.
Avoid contact with chemicals, acids, bleach, and oxidation agents.
Avoid embers, sparks, and matches.
Try not to walk on the rope for this may work sharp debris into the rope core.
Even though most modern rope fibers have little nutrition value for rodents, they may still try to get into it or remove bits for nesting. Avoid rodents at all cost.
How to Clean Rope
Ropes should be washed by hand in cold water with a mild soap.
Rinse free of the soap.
Wet ropes should always be hung out to dry on a pole, ladder, or a tree limb. Do not put the rope in direct sunlight to dry or near a source of heat. Hair dryers, clothes dryers, and other dryers can also ruin rope.
Leave the rope hung up and uncoiled until completely dry, then coil the rope.
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How to Work the Rope to Prepare for Knotting If your rope is a cotton braided variety, it will be soft and ready to use when you buy it, and will also become more soft and pliable with use. Manila rope is a good general purpose rope, but it is very tough and stiff when you buy it depending on how tight the lay is. It will also kink very easily and leave fine slivers of fiber in your fingers. To remove the fibers simply rub the entire rope down with a coarse rag a couple of times. A hard-laid rope is no good to anyone. It must be thoroughly worked until it is reasonably soft and pliable.
How to soften a new manila rope
It will take several hours to go over every section of the rope to soften it. This is done by pulling it, stretching it, and twisting it to remove the stiffness. Eventually you can work out all of the rope's kinks and hard places and end up with a soft workable rope.
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Rope Kinks Be careful your ropes don't get kinks in them. If they do, the kinks can overtax the fibers of the rope causing a weak spot in the bend of the kink. And keep in mind that wet rope is more likely to kink. To avoid kinking in rope, lay the coil on the floor with the inside end down. Reach down through the center of the coil, pull this end up and unwind the coil counter clockwise. If it uncoils in the wrong direction, turn the coil over and pull the end out on the other side.
How to Remove Kinks from Rope
The twist can be removed by dragging the rope forwards and backwards along a smooth section of ground.
Pulling the rope forwards and backwards around a tree, a pipe, or other straight object.
How to Preserve a Rope When Not in Use To keep it supple, and free of kinks, a rope should be coiled in the direction of its lay: a right handed rope should always be coiled clockwise, while a left handed rope should always be coiled counter-clockwise. Never store a coiled rope damp or wet, because this will mildew the rope very quickly, and you wouldn’t know it. Mildew damage only becomes apparent when the rope breaks suddenly.
How to Coil a Rope To coil a twisted rope to hang on a peg you must do the following:
Never pick up the rope and loop it repeatedly over your arm with the loops dangling from you hand because this puts kinks in the rope.
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Before starting a coil, shake out the rope in a straight line along the ground to shake out the kinks in the rope.
Next, hold one end in your left hand and reaching forward with the right hand to gather enough rope to make an eighteen-inch loop.
As you place the loop over the palm of your flatly extended left hand, roll the rope between the thumb and forefinger of your right hand, giving it about a half turn towards your body.
This half turn counteracts the twist put in the rope as it was looped and prevents kinking of the rope.
Flat Coil Usually, this is how the people do on ships or boats to store unused rope on the deck.
To start the coil, begin by laying the outer circle first and winding inward in a clockwise direct.
The mat can be wound loosely and then tightened by twisting the center with the palm of your hand.
To avoid kinking put a half turn on the rope for each loop laid.
If done, correctly there should be a flat coiled rope.
How to Uncoil the Rope
When playing rope out of a coil, begin with the end in the center of the coil.
All coils should be unwound from the inside and in a counter clockwise direction.
If the rope uncoils clockwise, the end should be pushed through the center of the coil and played out from the opposite side.
How to Inspect Ropes
Look for worn spots and broken fibers on the outside.
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Inspect the inner fibers of the rope by un-twisting the rope in several spots. If the inner strands are bright, clear, or unspotted then the rope is good and the strength has been preserved.
Unwrap a strand of the rope about 6-8 inches long and try to break it with your hands. If the rope breaks easily, or with little effort, the rope is unsafe and should be thrown away.
As a general rule, if the rope has lost its feel of stretch, has become limp, the fibers have lost their luster, or they appear very dry or brittle, it should be checked for safety. In most cases, rope with these problems will be unsafe for heavy lifting or other dangerous jobs.
Rope Whipping When cutting a piece of rope from a coil, you must keep all of the strands from unwrapping. The best way to do this is by whipping the ends: Step 1: obtain twine that will be used to bind the heavier rope.
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Step 2: In your left hand hold the rope to be whipped. Place a loop of whipping material on the end of the rope. Put the other end of the whipping material under the loop, on top of the rope.
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Step 3: Turn the body of the loop and put it over the short end of the twine at a right angle. Wrap the twine several turns around the end of the rope, spiraling away from the end and drawing each turn very tight.
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Step 4: When wrapping keep half of the whipping loop beyond the rope end so it doesn't wind double. Step 5: When the whipping is as wide as the diameter of the rope, pull hard on the top end of the whipping material until the loop has disappeared.
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Step 6: Trim off ends. This will give you a good snug whipping.
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Knots All knots and hitches are formed by two or three methods of laying rope. They are bright, loops, and overhand knots. Bright is formed by turning the rope so that the end is parallel to the rest of the rope.
Loop is made by crossing the rope end over or under the rest.
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Overhand Knot Overhand knot it's made by passing the end of the rope through the loop. Is a common stopper knot to prevent line from sliding out of a pulley. Step 1. Form a loop and pass the end through it.
Step 2. Tighten it to form the overhand knot.
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Figure-of-Eight This knot is commonly used as a stopper. Step 1. Pass the tail over itself to form a loop.
Step 2. Continue under and around the standing end.
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Step 3. Complete the knot by passing the tail down through the loop and pulling tight.
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Square Knot To join two pieces of rope of equal diameters. Step 1. Take two ropes and cross them left over right to form a half knot.
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Step 2. Cross them a second time right over left and pull the ends tight to form a square knot.
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Sheet Bend To join two pieces of rope of different diameters. Step 1. Form a bright in the thicker rope and hold it in one hand.
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Step 2. Pass the thinner rope through the bright and behind the tail and standing ends in that order.
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Step 3. Tuck the smaller rope under itself to finish the knot and pull tight.
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Taut-Line-Hitch or Midshipman's Hitch Creates an adjustable loop in the end of a rope or to tighten a tent guideline. Step 1. Pass the tail end around the standing end.
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Step 2. Pass it around again.
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Step 3. Tuck it in beside the first turn and pull it uptight to form an awning hitch.
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Step 4. Continue around and tie a half hitch to make it a Taut-line-hitch (midshipman’s hitch).
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Clove Hitch To secure a rope to a pole. Step 1. Pass the end of the rope around the pole.
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Step 2. Continue over the standing end and around the pole a second time.
Step 3. Thread the end under itself and pull tight to form the clove hitch.
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Two Half Hitches To adjust a rope's tension on a pole or use as a mooring knot for a boat at a dock. Step 1. Pass the end around the post once.
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Step 2. Go around the standing end to make the first half hitch.
Step 3. Pull this tight.
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Step 4. Continue in the same direction to make the second half hitch.
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Step 5. Pull tight to complete the knot.
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Timber Hitch It is used to pull cargo, or towing a log either on water or dry land. When forward movement stops. The knot comes apart easily. Step 1. Pass the end of the rope around the pole, then under, and over its standing part, and through the loop.
Step 2. Make a bend near the end and twist the rope several times around the rope next to it.
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Step 3. Push the timber hitch firmly against the pole and pull on the standing part.
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Bowline Loop knot for a ropes end. Step 1. Place the end on the standing part, carrying the end around, forming the loop.
Step 2. Bring the end through the loop, around the standing part, and down through the small loop just formed.
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Step 3. Tighten by holding the bright formed by the end and pulling hard on the standing part.
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Lariat Loop Cowboys used to catch animals from horseback or on the ground with this loop. Step 1. An overhand knot with the end put through.
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Step 2. Pull the end tight.
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Pipe Hitch Used to pull a pipe or a stake out of the ground. Step 1. Take four or five turns on the stake or pipe.
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Step 2. Cross the end over and finish by tying two half hitches around the standing part.
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Before putting any weight on the hitch, make sure that the whole knot is snugged!
Sheepshank To shorten a rope without cutting it. Step 1. Fold the rope to the approximately the desired new length.
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Step 2. Form a half hitch in one standing end, drop it over the adjacent bight, and tighten it.
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Step 3. Form a half hitch in the other standing end, drop it over its adjacent bight, and then tighten it too. At the end, apply the load carefully.
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Slipknot Is used as a temporary hitch when dragging a log or other cargo. (image series “slip”) Step 1. Loop rope over pole.
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Step 2. Tie the end of the rope around it's standing part with an overhand knot. Note- The knot will be more secure if the overhand knot was first tired at the end of the rope.
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Step 3. Pull the over hand knot taut.
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Step 4. Push it against the pole and tighten the slipknot by pulling the standing part.
Knowing how to use and care for ropes is very important for survival in many situations. Learning and practicing the art of knot tying will enable you to build shelters, traps, carry heavy weights, and secure many items. It does not take much time or effort to learn how to tie knots, however the advantage of doing so can last you a life time.
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Resources Survivopedia Articles on Bushcraft and Outdoors The Easy Way To DIY Rope And Cordage How To Build Your DIY Basic Bushcraft Kit Why You Need These 5 Basic Bushcraft Tools How To Cross Rivers Safely 15 Tips For Surviving Journeys Through The Wild 5 Survival Hacks That Could Save Your Life In The Wild The Four Major Mistakes Made In The Wilderness Here’s How Easy It Is To Die In The Wilderness 4 Snakes To Beware Of In American Wilderness Dangerous Encounters: When Man Meets Shark
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Table of Contents DISCLAIMER ................................................................................................................................... 4 The Rope ........................................................................................................................................ 6 Types of Rope .............................................................................................................................................................. 6 Laid Rope .................................................................................................................................................................. 6 Sash Cord or Clothesline ..................................................................................................................................... 7 Woven Rope ............................................................................................................................................................ 7 Binder twine ............................................................................................................................................................. 7 How to Care for Your Rope .................................................................................................................................... 7 Basic Rope Care Guide ......................................................................................................................................... 8 How to Clean Rope ............................................................................................................................................... 8 How to Work the Rope to Prepare for Knotting ............................................................................................ 9 How to soften a new manila rope ................................................................................................................... 9 Rope Kinks.................................................................................................................................................................. 10 How to Remove Kinks from Rope ................................................................................................................ 10 How to Preserve a Rope When Not in Use .................................................................................................... 10 How to Coil a Rope ............................................................................................................................................ 10 Flat Coil ................................................................................................................................................................... 11 How to Uncoil the Rope ................................................................................................................................... 11
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How to Inspect Ropes ....................................................................................................................................... 11 Rope Whipping ........................................................................................................................................................ 12 Knots............................................................................................................................................. 19 Overhand Knot ......................................................................................................................................................... 20 Figure-of-Eight ......................................................................................................................................................... 22 Square Knot ............................................................................................................................................................... 24 Sheet Bend ................................................................................................................................................................. 27 Taut-Line-Hitch or Midshipman's Hitch .......................................................................................................... 30 Clove Hitch ................................................................................................................................................................. 35 Two Half Hitches ...................................................................................................................................................... 37 Timber Hitch .............................................................................................................................................................. 42 Bowline ........................................................................................................................................................................ 45 Lariat Loop ................................................................................................................................................................. 48 ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 51 Pipe Hitch ................................................................................................................................................................... 52 Sheepshank................................................................................................................................................................ 56 Slipknot ....................................................................................................................................................................... 61 Resources ..................................................................................................................................... 65 Survivopedia Articles on Bushcraft and Outdoors ...................................................................................... 65
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DISCLAIMER THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN “KNOT A PROBLEM: 13 Knot Tying Basics for Survival and Everyday Use” IS MEANT TO SERVE AS A COMPREHENSIVE COLLECTION OF STRATEGIES THAT ARE ONLY RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE AUTHORS, AND READING THIS EBOOK DOES NOT GUARANTEE THAT ONE’S RESULTS WILL EXACTLY MIRROR OUR OWN RESULTS. THE AUTHOR OF “KNOT A PROBLEM: 13 Knot Tying Basics for Survival and Everyday Use” HAS MADE ALL REASONABLE EFFORTS TO PROVIDE CURRENT AND ACCURATE INFORMATION FOR THE READERS OF THIS COURSE. THE AUTHOR WILL NOT BE HELD LIABLE FOR ANY UNINTENTIONAL ERRORS OR OMISSIONS THAT MAY BE FOUND. THE MATERIAL IN “KNOT A PROBLEM: 13 Knot Tying Basics for Survival and Everyday Use” MAY INCLUDE INFORMATION, PRODUCTS, OR SERVICES BY THIRD PARTIES. THIRD PARTY MATERIALS COMPRISE OF THE PRODUCTS AND OPINIONS EXPRESSED BY THEIR OWNERS. AS SUCH, THE AUTHORS OF THIS GUIDE DO NOT ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY OR LIABILITY FOR ANY THIRD PARTY MATERIAL OR OPINIONS.THE PUBLICATION OF SUCH THIRD PARTY MATERIALS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE AUTHORS’ GUARANTEE OF ANY INFORMATION, INSTRUCTION, OPINION, PRODUCTS OR SERVICE CONTAINED WITHIN THE THIRD PARTY MATERIAL. WHETHER BECAUSE OF THE GENERAL EVOLUTION OF THE INTERNET, OR THE UNFORESEEN CHANGES IN COMPANY POLICY AND EDITORIAL SUBMISSION GUIDELINES, WHAT IS STATED AS FACT AT THE TIME OF THIS WRITING, MAY BECOME OUTDATED OR SIMPLY INAPPLICABLE AT A LATER DATE. THIS MAY APPLY TO THE “KNOT A PROBLEM: 13 Knot Tying Basics for Survival and Everyday Use” AS WELL AS THE VARIOUS SIMILAR COMPANIES THAT WEHAVE REFERENCED IN THIS EBOOK, AND OUR SEVERAL COMPLEMENTARY GUIDES. GREAT EFFORT HAS BEEN EXERTED TO SAFEGUARD THE ACCURACY OF THIS WRITING. OPINIONS REGARDING SIMILAR WEBSITE PLATFORMS HAVE BEEN FORMULATED AS A RESULT OF BOTH PERSONAL EXPERIENCE, AS WELL AS THE WELL DOCUMENTED EXPERIENCES OF OTHERS. NO PART OF THIS PUBLICATION SHALL BE REPRODUCED OR SOLD BY ANY ELECTRONIC, MECHANICAL OR OTHER MEANS WITHOUT THE WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE AUTHORS. ANY AND ALL REQUESTS FOR SUCH PERMISSION SHOULD BE SENT BY TO [email protected]. COPYRIGHT 2016 SURVIVOPEDIA™, “KNOT A PROBLEM: 13 Knot Tying Basics for Survival and Everyday Use”
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13 Survival Knots to Practice and How to Care for Your Ropes In a survival scenario you will find the use of rope is essential to your survival. Choosing good rope and making knots properly is every bit as other skills that you are developing in preparation for a major crisis. If you use the wrong knot, or type of rope, it could lead to a disaster. For safety sake know what knots, and rope materials to use. Over the years’ knot tying has become a diverse practice with many specialty designs used in different jobs and occupations. This report will show you how to choose and care for rope as well as how to tie 13 of the most important knots for survival needs.
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The Rope You have a piece of rope, then you just tie the knot, nothing could be easier you think. Basically, it’s true. But there is much more to say about it, and we’ll talk about it in a minute. Before you can do any knot tying:
You must know which rope to use.
How much weight the rope can support vs the expected load weight.
Which knot to use for the application
The condition of the rope
Types of Rope There are four basic types of commonly available rope:
Laid Rope It is made from natural and synthetic fibers. These fibers are often twisted into yarns, then into strands, and finally twisted into rope. This is done in such a way that the twists are equalized so the rope is stable but flexible. Although laid rope patterns are very common and good for making knots, they are not recommended for rappelling, suspending heavy weights, or for long term durability. Each time you use the rope or put weight on it, the fibers will rub into each other and wear excessively internally. This can be very hard to spot and spell disaster if it breaks at the wrong moment.
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Laid rope is still the easiest for knotting and you can start off with it until you master the basic steps for each knot.
Sash Cord or Clothesline Is woven of cotton and glazed with starch or other filler. It is unreliable and clumsy for knot tying and also not good for applications other than hanging clothes.
Woven Rope Synthetic fibers are often woven or braided into line or rope in smaller diameters. Some braided ropes may also have non-woven or specialty fiber cores that will not rub and wear as quickly as other configurations. In terms of survival needs, you should choose several different kinds of braided rope and then practice making knots with them so that you are always ready for any situation. You should also know how to prevent unraveling, which is done by fusing with a flame or hot iron instead of whipping.
Binder twine is too weak to be used in knots where strength is needed and should be avoided.
How to Care for Your Rope How people care for their rope depends on the individual. Some people totally neglect the rope leaving it without whipped ends, unraveling, or trailing in the water if used in boating. Then you have those individuals that are very obsessive. They take rope care way beyond what a normal person would do.
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Whatever your habit is, always give your rope a good inspection at the time you buy it and inspect it regularly as well as before each use.
Basic Rope Care Guide Life expectancy of your rope depends on the way are care of it. Rope manufactures have recommended retirement schedules that state the life of a rope. How long you will use a rope depends on your own inspection, knowledge of the rope's history, and assessment of the rope. To increase its life expectancy, keep in mind the following:
Always keep your rope off the ground to protect it from dirt containing sharp small chips and crystals. If dirt or sharp bits of debris get into the rope, they can scratch the fibers and weaken them.
Avoid contact with chemicals, acids, bleach, and oxidation agents.
Avoid embers, sparks, and matches.
Try not to walk on the rope for this may work sharp debris into the rope core.
Even though most modern rope fibers have little nutrition value for rodents, they may still try to get into it or remove bits for nesting. Avoid rodents at all cost.
How to Clean Rope
Ropes should be washed by hand in cold water with a mild soap.
Rinse free of the soap.
Wet ropes should always be hung out to dry on a pole, ladder, or a tree limb. Do not put the rope in direct sunlight to dry or near a source of heat. Hair dryers, clothes dryers, and other dryers can also ruin rope.
Leave the rope hung up and uncoiled until completely dry, then coil the rope.
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How to Work the Rope to Prepare for Knotting If your rope is a cotton braided variety, it will be soft and ready to use when you buy it, and will also become more soft and pliable with use. Manila rope is a good general purpose rope, but it is very tough and stiff when you buy it depending on how tight the lay is. It will also kink very easily and leave fine slivers of fiber in your fingers. To remove the fibers simply rub the entire rope down with a coarse rag a couple of times. A hard-laid rope is no good to anyone. It must be thoroughly worked until it is reasonably soft and pliable.
How to soften a new manila rope
It will take several hours to go over every section of the rope to soften it. This is done by pulling it, stretching it, and twisting it to remove the stiffness. Eventually you can work out all of the rope's kinks and hard places and end up with a soft workable rope.
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Rope Kinks Be careful your ropes don't get kinks in them. If they do, the kinks can overtax the fibers of the rope causing a weak spot in the bend of the kink. And keep in mind that wet rope is more likely to kink. To avoid kinking in rope, lay the coil on the floor with the inside end down. Reach down through the center of the coil, pull this end up and unwind the coil counter clockwise. If it uncoils in the wrong direction, turn the coil over and pull the end out on the other side.
How to Remove Kinks from Rope
The twist can be removed by dragging the rope forwards and backwards along a smooth section of ground.
Pulling the rope forwards and backwards around a tree, a pipe, or other straight object.
How to Preserve a Rope When Not in Use To keep it supple, and free of kinks, a rope should be coiled in the direction of its lay: a right handed rope should always be coiled clockwise, while a left handed rope should always be coiled counter-clockwise. Never store a coiled rope damp or wet, because this will mildew the rope very quickly, and you wouldn’t know it. Mildew damage only becomes apparent when the rope breaks suddenly.
How to Coil a Rope To coil a twisted rope to hang on a peg you must do the following:
Never pick up the rope and loop it repeatedly over your arm with the loops dangling from you hand because this puts kinks in the rope.
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Before starting a coil, shake out the rope in a straight line along the ground to shake out the kinks in the rope.
Next, hold one end in your left hand and reaching forward with the right hand to gather enough rope to make an eighteen-inch loop.
As you place the loop over the palm of your flatly extended left hand, roll the rope between the thumb and forefinger of your right hand, giving it about a half turn towards your body.
This half turn counteracts the twist put in the rope as it was looped and prevents kinking of the rope.
Flat Coil Usually, this is how the people do on ships or boats to store unused rope on the deck.
To start the coil, begin by laying the outer circle first and winding inward in a clockwise direct.
The mat can be wound loosely and then tightened by twisting the center with the palm of your hand.
To avoid kinking put a half turn on the rope for each loop laid.
If done, correctly there should be a flat coiled rope.
How to Uncoil the Rope
When playing rope out of a coil, begin with the end in the center of the coil.
All coils should be unwound from the inside and in a counter clockwise direction.
If the rope uncoils clockwise, the end should be pushed through the center of the coil and played out from the opposite side.
How to Inspect Ropes
Look for worn spots and broken fibers on the outside.
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Inspect the inner fibers of the rope by un-twisting the rope in several spots. If the inner strands are bright, clear, or unspotted then the rope is good and the strength has been preserved.
Unwrap a strand of the rope about 6-8 inches long and try to break it with your hands. If the rope breaks easily, or with little effort, the rope is unsafe and should be thrown away.
As a general rule, if the rope has lost its feel of stretch, has become limp, the fibers have lost their luster, or they appear very dry or brittle, it should be checked for safety. In most cases, rope with these problems will be unsafe for heavy lifting or other dangerous jobs.
Rope Whipping When cutting a piece of rope from a coil, you must keep all of the strands from unwrapping. The best way to do this is by whipping the ends: Step 1: obtain twine that will be used to bind the heavier rope.
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Step 2: In your left hand hold the rope to be whipped. Place a loop of whipping material on the end of the rope. Put the other end of the whipping material under the loop, on top of the rope.
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Step 3: Turn the body of the loop and put it over the short end of the twine at a right angle. Wrap the twine several turns around the end of the rope, spiraling away from the end and drawing each turn very tight.
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Step 4: When wrapping keep half of the whipping loop beyond the rope end so it doesn't wind double. Step 5: When the whipping is as wide as the diameter of the rope, pull hard on the top end of the whipping material until the loop has disappeared.
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Step 6: Trim off ends. This will give you a good snug whipping.
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Knots All knots and hitches are formed by two or three methods of laying rope. They are bright, loops, and overhand knots. Bright is formed by turning the rope so that the end is parallel to the rest of the rope.
Loop is made by crossing the rope end over or under the rest.
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Overhand Knot Overhand knot it's made by passing the end of the rope through the loop. Is a common stopper knot to prevent line from sliding out of a pulley. Step 1. Form a loop and pass the end through it.
Step 2. Tighten it to form the overhand knot.
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Figure-of-Eight This knot is commonly used as a stopper. Step 1. Pass the tail over itself to form a loop.
Step 2. Continue under and around the standing end.
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Step 3. Complete the knot by passing the tail down through the loop and pulling tight.
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Square Knot To join two pieces of rope of equal diameters. Step 1. Take two ropes and cross them left over right to form a half knot.
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Step 2. Cross them a second time right over left and pull the ends tight to form a square knot.
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Sheet Bend To join two pieces of rope of different diameters. Step 1. Form a bright in the thicker rope and hold it in one hand.
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Step 2. Pass the thinner rope through the bright and behind the tail and standing ends in that order.
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Step 3. Tuck the smaller rope under itself to finish the knot and pull tight.
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Taut-Line-Hitch or Midshipman's Hitch Creates an adjustable loop in the end of a rope or to tighten a tent guideline. Step 1. Pass the tail end around the standing end.
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Step 2. Pass it around again.
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Step 3. Tuck it in beside the first turn and pull it uptight to form an awning hitch.
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Step 4. Continue around and tie a half hitch to make it a Taut-line-hitch (midshipman’s hitch).
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Clove Hitch To secure a rope to a pole. Step 1. Pass the end of the rope around the pole.
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Step 2. Continue over the standing end and around the pole a second time.
Step 3. Thread the end under itself and pull tight to form the clove hitch.
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Two Half Hitches To adjust a rope's tension on a pole or use as a mooring knot for a boat at a dock. Step 1. Pass the end around the post once.
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Step 2. Go around the standing end to make the first half hitch.
Step 3. Pull this tight.
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Step 4. Continue in the same direction to make the second half hitch.
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Step 5. Pull tight to complete the knot.
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Timber Hitch It is used to pull cargo, or towing a log either on water or dry land. When forward movement stops. The knot comes apart easily. Step 1. Pass the end of the rope around the pole, then under, and over its standing part, and through the loop.
Step 2. Make a bend near the end and twist the rope several times around the rope next to it.
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Step 3. Push the timber hitch firmly against the pole and pull on the standing part.
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Bowline Loop knot for a ropes end. Step 1. Place the end on the standing part, carrying the end around, forming the loop.
Step 2. Bring the end through the loop, around the standing part, and down through the small loop just formed.
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Step 3. Tighten by holding the bright formed by the end and pulling hard on the standing part.
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Lariat Loop Cowboys used to catch animals from horseback or on the ground with this loop. Step 1. An overhand knot with the end put through.
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Step 2. Pull the end tight.
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Pipe Hitch Used to pull a pipe or a stake out of the ground. Step 1. Take four or five turns on the stake or pipe.
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Step 2. Cross the end over and finish by tying two half hitches around the standing part.
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Before putting any weight on the hitch, make sure that the whole knot is snugged!
Sheepshank To shorten a rope without cutting it. Step 1. Fold the rope to the approximately the desired new length.
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Step 2. Form a half hitch in one standing end, drop it over the adjacent bight, and tighten it.
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Step 3. Form a half hitch in the other standing end, drop it over its adjacent bight, and then tighten it too. At the end, apply the load carefully.
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Slipknot Is used as a temporary hitch when dragging a log or other cargo. (image series “slip”) Step 1. Loop rope over pole.
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Step 2. Tie the end of the rope around it's standing part with an overhand knot. Note- The knot will be more secure if the overhand knot was first tired at the end of the rope.
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Step 3. Pull the over hand knot taut.
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Step 4. Push it against the pole and tighten the slipknot by pulling the standing part.
Knowing how to use and care for ropes is very important for survival in many situations. Learning and practicing the art of knot tying will enable you to build shelters, traps, carry heavy weights, and secure many items. It does not take much time or effort to learn how to tie knots, however the advantage of doing so can last you a life time.
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Resources Survivopedia Articles on Bushcraft and Outdoors The Easy Way To DIY Rope And Cordage How To Build Your DIY Basic Bushcraft Kit Why You Need These 5 Basic Bushcraft Tools How To Cross Rivers Safely 15 Tips For Surviving Journeys Through The Wild 5 Survival Hacks That Could Save Your Life In The Wild The Four Major Mistakes Made In The Wilderness Here’s How Easy It Is To Die In The Wilderness 4 Snakes To Beware Of In American Wilderness Dangerous Encounters: When Man Meets Shark
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