The sailor's hitch is a secure, jam-proof hitch
knot
A knot is an intentional complication in cordage which may be practical or decorative, or both. Practical knots are classified by function, including hitches, bends, loop knots, and splices: a ''hitch'' fastens a rope to another object; a ' ...
.
A
hitch knot is a type of knot that has the ability to fit to the size and shape of an object that it is being tied to.
The sailor's hitch is also known as
swing hitch.
The sailor's hitch can be used in such a way that allows a smaller rope to be attached to a large rope. The smaller rope should be pulled to the left while the
bight
The word is derived from Old English ''byht'' (“bend, angle, corner; bay, bight”). In modern English, bight may refer to:
* Bight (geography), recess of a coast, bay, or other curved feature
* Bight (knot), a curved section, slack part, or loo ...
should go through the final tuck to form the final product of a sailor's hitch.
This knot can also serve the purpose of a
cleat hitch.
There is another variation of the knot with several more turns that is called the
gripping sailor's hitch
The gripping sailor's hitch is a secure, jam-proof friction hitch used to tie one rope to another, or a rope to a pole, boom, spar, etc., when the pull is lengthwise along the object. It will even grip a tapered object, such as a marlin spike, ...
.
The gripping sailor's hitch is commonly confused with the
icicle hitch
An icicle hitch is a knot that is excellent for connecting to a post when weight is applied to an end running parallel to the post in a specific direction. This type of hitch will hold its place even when holding a substantial load on a smooth s ...
, but it has distinctions with the last tuck of the knot that allows them to be different.
The sailor's knot is used in the following circumstances:
*search and rescue
*mountaineering
*climbing
*boating
*horse and livestock
*camping
*scouting
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 ...
*
Sailor's knot
*
Gripping sailor's hitch
The gripping sailor's hitch is a secure, jam-proof friction hitch used to tie one rope to another, or a rope to a pole, boom, spar, etc., when the pull is lengthwise along the object. It will even grip a tapered object, such as a marlin spike, ...
*
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
External links
Video: Tying the Gripping Sailor's Hitch
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