Bowline Knot

Uses: The Bowline (ABOK # 1010, p 186) makes a reasonably secure loop
in the end of a piece of rope. It has many uses, e.g., to fasten a
mooring line to a ring or a post. Under load, it does not slip or bind.
With no load it can be untied easily. Two bowlines can be linked
together to join two ropes. Its principal shortcoming is that it cannot
be tied, or untied, when there is a load on the standing end. It should
therefore be avoided when, for example, a mooring line may have to be
released under load.

Square Knot
Uses: Nevertheless, the Square (Reef) knot has many uses but not where
safety is critical, e.g., you can tie a sail cover over a sail; you can
tie the string on a gift; and you can tie the laces on your shoes (if
they still come with laces). It is also one of the many knots used in
macrame. More importantly, the experience of tying a Square Knot teaches
the fundamental process of tying a Half Knot or Half Hitch.

Figure 8 Knot
Uses: The Figure 8 (ABOK # 570, p 95.) provides a quick and convenient
stopper knot to prevent a line sliding out of sight, e.g., up inside the
mast. Its virtue is that, even after it has been jammed tightly against
a block, it doesn't bind; it can be undone easily. This virtue is also,
occasionally, a vice. The figure 8 can fall undone and then has to be
retied.

Sheet Bend
Uses: The Sheet Bend (ABOK # 1431, p 262) or Weaver's Knot (ABOK # 485,
p 78) is recommended for joining two ropes of unequal size. The thicker
rope must be used for the simple bight as shown. However, it works
equally well if the ropes are of the same size.

Half Hitch
Uses: Ashley described the Half Hitch (ABOK # 50, p 14) as "tied with
one end of a rope being passed around an object and secured to its own

standing part with a Single Hitch."

Timber Hitch
Uses: The Timber Hitch is described by (Ashley ABOK #1665, p 290) as
much used for handling cargo "... for which it is very convenient, as it
practically falls apart when pull ceases." It is also useful when towing
a spar or log either afloat or on land. When used for this purpose, the
Timber Hitch is often placed near the center of the spar and a separate
Half Hitch is dropped over the end of the spar to act as a guide.

Clove Hitch
Uses: However, the Clove Hitch can be very useful:

Theater Scenery: Thanks to Curtis Mortimore of Ball State University for

providing this example; when adjusting stage curtains hanging from a bar, a clove
hitch round the bar allows the height of the bar to be adjusted up or down by
rolling the knot slightly. At the right height, a couple of Half Hitches round the
standing end provide security. Some months after writing this I heard
independently from David Winch of the Sydney Opera House who said they were
desperately trying to stop staff using Clove Hitches and use the Round Turn and
Two half Hitches instead. Their two comments amplify the introduction - it can
bind and it can slip!
Boat Fenders: Similarly, when attaching a boat's fender to a railing, the fender's
line can be initially secured with a clove hitch and then, when adjusted, secured
with two Half Hitches round the standing end.

Fisherman's Knot
Uses: The Double Fisherman's (Grapevine Bend) is the way to join two
ends of a line to form a Prusik Loop and is also an excellent and
reliable way of joining two climbing ropes. It can be used for a full
rope-length abseil; after which it should still be possible to retrieve
the rope.