The adjustable grip hitch is a simple and useful
friction hitch
A friction hitch is a kind of knot used to attach one rope to another in a way that is easily adjusted. These knots are commonly used in climbing as part of single-rope technique, doubled-rope technique and as "ratchets" to capture progress on a ...
which may easily be shifted up and down the rope while slack. It will hold fast when loaded, but slip when shock loaded until tension is relieved enough for it to again hold fast. It serves the same purpose as the
taut-line hitch
The taut-line hitch is an adjustable loop knot for use on lines under tension. It is useful when the length of a line will need to be periodically adjusted in order to maintain tension. It is made by tying a rolling hitch around the standing pa ...
, e.g. tensioning a tent's guy line.
This knot is also called the adjustable loop
and Cawley adjustable hitch. It was conceived 1982 by Canadian climber Robert Chisnall.
Tying
The working end is wrapped inwards around the standing part (A-B) twice (1). Then another turn is made around both parts and a bight is pulled through the last wrap (2, 3) for the slipped version (left image), or just the end for the non-slipped version (right image). The knot needs to be pulled tight to actually grip (the slack is pulled out of the windings and the knot pulled tight at C and D).
By pushing the knot along the standing part in direction of A, the line can be tightened.
The grip can be improved by adding a third turn around the standing part.
The slipped adjustable grip hitch can be easily untied by pulling the end E, even under quite heavy load.
Adjustable Bend
Using the same knot core an adjustable bend can be made to join two lines. For that the knot is tied in both working ends, each around the other line's standing part.
The length of the line can be then adjusted by pushing the knots together or apart.
Alternatives
* The
taut-line hitch
The taut-line hitch is an adjustable loop knot for use on lines under tension. It is useful when the length of a line will need to be periodically adjusted in order to maintain tension. It is made by tying a rolling hitch around the standing pa ...
and
midshipman's hitch are more common for the same purpose. They are made of a
rolling hitch
The rolling hitch is a knot (see also Magnus hitch) used to attach a rope to a rod, pole, or another rope. A simple friction hitch, it is used for lengthwise pull along an object rather than at right angles. The rolling hitch is designed to re ...
around the standing part.
* An adjustable bend can also be made with
rolling hitches around the other line.
* The
Farrimond friction hitch
The Farrimond friction hitch is a quick release adjustable friction hitch for use on lines under tension. It is useful when the length of a line will need to be periodically adjusted in order to maintain or adjust tension whilst remaining quick ...
can be tied in the bight.
External links
Adjustable grip hitchat Animated Knots
See also
*
List of knots
This list of knots includes many alternative names for common knots and lashings. Knot names have evolved over time, and there are many conflicting or confusing naming issues. The overhand knot, for example, is also known as the thumb knot. The ...
*
List of friction hitch knots
A friction hitch is a kind of knot used to attach one rope to another in a way that is easily adjusted. These knots are commonly used in climbing as part of single-rope technique, doubled-rope technique and as "ratchets" to capture progress on a ...
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Adjustable Grip Hitch