top 2 or 3 most universal knots?

[OutdoorDad]

The common square knot is actually a reef knot. Animated Knots

i tie my shoes with a double slipped reefing knot.

 

[Zoub]

I honestly believe the bowline is about the easiest knot to commit to memory, at least the way I did it worked for me.

 

[Bill B]

When hunting I commonly use: two half hitches, taut-line knot, a modified[STRIKE] log [/STRIKE]timber hitch knot and a square knot.

 

[Who Dares Wins]

Whatever happened to the Good Old "Sheep-Shank"?

 

[EvilKidsMeal]

I have a few of these card/booklets. About the size of a playing, so perfect to stash in a car and all your bags.

Robot Check

That being said I do not practice knots like I should.


EDIT: I don't know why the link shows as "Robot Check", it should take you to the Amazon page I copied the URL from

 

[bwframe]

I have a few of these card/booklets. About the size of a playing, so perfect to stash in a car and all your bags.

Robot Check

That being said I do not practice knots like I should.


EDIT: I don't know why the link shows as "Robot Check", it should take you to the Amazon page I copied the URL from

Ordered one for the grandson, one for me.

 

[inchrisin]

I'd go with the butterfly, the clove hitch, and the sheet bend. All the others can be added on or learned easily.

 

[rhino]

My twin nephews are professional rock climbers. It fun watching them tie knots because they're so good at doing it. There's no thinking about it, pondering, hesitation, or experimentation. They just tie them, make sure they're tied correctly, and move on. Practice is a good thing (even though it's cheating).

 

[inchrisin]

This:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_-CwJNEkcs&index=3&list=WL

 

[Lee11b]

bowline and figure 8 = the 2 most important knots, very easy to learn, and do not stress the rope as much as other knots

 

[d80hunter]

Bowline, Marline Hitch run each direction, and half hitching are the knots I use outdoors and for pulling big wire in the electrical trade. The best knots are the ones that always work and untie easily.

 

[rhino]

You have to be able to tie a sheepshank to be on the crew of the Orca!

 

[CountryBoy19]

I at least use one of these 3 knots every day.

Bowline



Square Knot



Taut line Hitch

IMHO, if you could only practice/know 3 knots these are the 3 most often used in day-to-day life for me. They are the only 3 knots I truly remember from scouting decades ago...

 

[inchrisin]

IMHO, if you could only practice/know 3 knots these are the 3 most often used in day-to-day life for me. They are the only 3 knots I truly remember from scouting decades ago...

Great stuff. We should be encouraging about 5-8 instead of 3.

 

[hog slayer]

Truckers hitch, two half hitches, bowline, figure eight.

Agreed. I use these the most.

 

[The Bubba Effect]

Good to see the BSA represented in this thread. Any scout worth his salt ought to be able to tie a bowline (one handed), a taught line hitch, and a square knot.


Seems like those are the three knots that stick in the head (might be because those are the three knots you use over and over).

Since scouting, I have learned exactly one knot and that is the trucker's hitch. It is super useful.

Edited to add: I totally forgot about another knot that I learned in college. It is a specialty knot for tying super fancy fishing line to hooks, lures, etc: Palomar Knot.

 

[Lee11b]

Figure 8, Bowline, and square knot

 

[DanO]

My Dad grew up on a hillside farm in Northern Norway and had to join the commercial whaling and fishing fleet at 14 to support his family. That said, he knew knots and I learned what was useful growing up. But it is a perishable skill and I keep a length of cord and a piece of dowel by my computer to do a knot or two once in a while, just to stay fresh.

I agree the bowline, tucker's hitch, square are your base. Just learn these 3 and add clove hitch, bowline on a bight, etc. little by little. Soon you will feel pretty competent. There is something special about being able to secure a load, tie off a line on a boat, etc. well and quickly that just marks you as a competent person.

 

[exodus125]

For fishing, a good knot to know is the uni knot. Very versatile.

 

[PistolBob]

Click here...print and save.