Originally, this page contained all of JRB’s favorite knots, but it was too much for a page. It currently contains contains JRB’s favorite Bends, Fixed Loops, & Anchors. These types of knots and related info has been moved to these dedicated pages:
Ashley’s Book of Knots
Knot enthusiasts are encouraged to get a copy of Ashley’s Book of Knots (ABOK), first published in 1944, with several revisions over the years. It’s a masterpiece. Link:
Fundamental Concepts
Besides the information in the Dictionary of Terms here on the website, the following video is a good introduction to basic terminology.
Bends
A “bend” is a type of knot which joins two lines or the ends of a single line to create a loop.
Hunter’s Bend
The Hunter’s Bend (also known as the Rigger’s Bend) is strong, compact, easy to tie, easy to inspect and not impossible to untie when seeing normal load, such as those seen in low slack rope climbing applications.
Sliding Double/Triple Fisherman’s Knot
JRB uses the Sliding Double or Triple Fisherman’s Knot in some applications, including the “Best Friend” loop in the Garda Hitch Footloop. It can be untied by pulling one loop through, where the non-sliding version is basically impossible to untie after normal loading.
Water Knot
When working with webbing, a Water Knot is the standard:
Fixed Loops
1. Alpine Butterfly
The Alpine Butterfly can be tied on the end or on the bight and can even be tied with a double loop, making it the most versatile of the loop knots.
2. Figure 8 End Loop
This is the easiest end loop to pass through a crotch. JRB uses it in MRS/DRT systems.
3. Scott’s Locked Bowline
JRB uses Scott’s Locked Bowline for some SRT Canopy Anchor applications:
Anchor Knots
Anchors are knots that cinch in place. This section covers anchors to small objects like a carabiner. Trunk anchors (such as the Maverick Hitch, JRB Hitch, Saddle Hunter’s Hitch and JRB Cinch) are on a dedicated page: Trunk Anchors
Longhorn Hitch & Loop
The Longhorn Hitch is a bend, a hitch and a double sliding loop knot all in one. Tying it on our finger results in a Longhorn Loop, which is used as the basis for creating the Longhorn Agile Hitch, Longhorn Zenith Hitch, or a Longhorn Soft Shackle.
Predecessor video with Details: