The Tautline Hitch - A very handy knot

I find this one of the most useful knots. It makes a loop that wont slip closed if the long end is pulled but the knot is easily slid back and forth to adjust the noose.

It's ideal for cases where you need to adjust tension on an LST branch or the height of a lamp etc.

After just a bit of practice, it's an easy knot to tie.

It is actually a Magnus knot or Rolling Hitch tied back on itself. The Magnus knot is very useful in its own right. The knot wont slide on the bar if you pull sideways on the rope, but if you grasp the knot, you can slide it easily. If you know knots a bit, this is just a Cow Hitch with an extra turn on one side



The Cow Hitch ( close relative of the Magnus)



The Tautline:




I found this nice little animation for tying the knot.

The photo shows the knot tied quite slack so that you can see the turns, but it should be drawn up snug and it doesnt hurt to add a half hitch or stopper knot for security.

Thanks! That looks like a good knot to know.

this will come in handy this weekend wile im out looking for my next "date"

Knotcraft was one of the things I studied. Most people have no idea how handy it is to know what knot to use for certain situations. Great info.

potpimp said:

Knotcraft was one of the things I studied. Most people have no idea how handy it is to know what knot to use for certain situations. Great info.

Click to expand...

It really is. I started taking an interest in knots a few years ago and when I did, I kicked myself for not having done so much sooner. Just knowing a few basic knots is so useful. It's surprising how many problems can be solved with just a piece of string and some well chosen knots. ( No gallows humor, please! ) IMO basic knotwork should be part of every child's education.

@Robert:

Here you go. This gives new meaning to the expression 'We're going to tie the knot' !

[video=youtube;JPN0qXS_9NY]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPN0qXS_9NY[/video]

zvuv said:

It really is. I started taking an interest in knots a few years ago and when I did, I kicked myself for not having done so much sooner. Just knowing a few basic knots is so useful. It's surprising how many problems can be solved with just a piece of string and some well chosen knots. ( No gallows humor, please! ) IMO basic knotwork should be part of every child's education.

Click to expand...

Thanks so very much for the info Z ... I agree that children should learn some basic knots while they are in that mindset where everything is absorbed like a giant sponge ... It should not only be used by Cub and Boy Scouts, but one never knows when tying something perhaps will save a life ... Great Post and +Rep

thank you, will be adding those to my arsenal of knots.

PS I found this nice little animation for tying the knot.

I should mention that though the photo shows the knot tied quite slack so that you can see the turn, it should be drawn up snug and it doesnt hurt to add a half hitch or stopper knot for security.

If I were into bondage, this is the way I'd do it.
[video=youtube;m8I2-Au5wwc]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8I2-Au5wwc[/video]

Wow! Those guys sure know how to handle a woman. Nothing bashful about their style

the truckers hitch needs to be addressed i have used this so many times to secure so many things , it should be one everyone learns
[video=youtube;cNWELuXo_bY]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNWELuXo_bY[/video]

The truckers knot is THE most useful of all, IMO. TY Robert.

Excellent Robert. Thanks.

I never learned to tie that one properly. Now's the time! Here's a diagram





I guess it should come as no surprise that you can attend a course in bondage techniques.

the tauteline...yes its a nice knot! I do that one around my left thumb using my right hand to move the rope around, ... you can do as many loops as you want!