Dave has reached Mors Kochanski level status. Dave could quit this world now and he would go down in history as one of the best if not the best outdoor/bushcraft/woodcraft/survival instructors/teacher's ever. He's doing what he loves and doing more good for us students of the outdoors than he'll ever know.
All this info on the web get over whelmingwhy change stuff ? I like simple stuff and not more gear to carry but every time Dave shows us something different I go that’s cool and I may need that some day. I thank you for all your teachings May not use all the time but it’s fun to learn Thank you
As I said On Blackie's channel, what is so great about this back-and-forth is that everyone peppers their wisdom and all we have to do is pick a flavor. And now. the flavors are multiplying like Tribbles!
Me, next camping trip: arrives at dark like always….at dawn, still standing there paralyzed by choices of how to tie ridge line 😂😂😂😂😂. Great ideas like always!
Thank you, Mr. Canterbury, for your incredibly useful, practical, clear, and valuable continuing series of videos on the uses of knots, hitches, lines, cordage, and ropes of all kinds! There is no area of life that could not benefit from your generous, free, interesting, advice, wisdom, and skillful teaching about this ancient and primal technology subject. Even if it might be already known, the reinforcement is necessary and valuable, and when it is new knowledge, it is crucial. But did I also forget to mention, free of charge? You are making yourself an Internet treasure with this stuff, sir.
I love how you are always trying new things or researching new ways to do things. Nothing gets stagnant with your videos. As always keep all the great videos coming.
I was going to skip you video because I’ve never heard of soft shackles and why would I ever need one!! My favorite piece of rope now. Just wow. I’m enlightened!!
Smart and useful content as usual! This video made me think to myself; "Self," "why not replace the smaller overhand knot with a Celtic button knot?" "It's larger than one overhand knot and this knot has multiple uses." "Such as making it into a cinching knot." Anyways it might be a good addition to this cool idea of yours.. Thanks David👍🤠👍🇺🇸✊
Thats pretty neat way Dave, but really, I still like your toggle method with the prusic hitch. I keep the toggles I need in my tarp bag. Easy and fast to take down. If need be I find a stick.
Thanks for sharing. Better teachable often translates to easier to learn and keep. With hitches and knots there are many ways to skin the cat. It often comes down to preferences of people or services. Having mastered one method beats knowing several options and struggling with each. I tend to use parachord for my prussiks. It´s only a tarp. I want the hitch to slide before the tarp tears.
I use almost the same system Dave ! My soft shackle on the prussik hitch start like yours, but on the two tail ends I put one stop knot, and one tiny loop with a bowline knot, then I simply connect the two of them. I hope you try it ! Simply search Araw Shackle Ridgeline 😉
Now that's the right approach. Simplicity is key. If any element can be removed from the system (as completely unnecessary toggles), then it must be removed.
I’ve said this before, when you are cold, wet and tired and it’s dark and weather is coming in the last thing you want to be doing is fumbling around with little strands of line. The toggles are quick, easy and give you something to hold onto. I guessing that a lot of UA-camrs don’t bushcraft in the cold or adverse weather. Every buddy for some reason is concerned about taking an extra 10 seconds to derig. Why?
Great idea. I did the same thing utilizing the inline soft shackle knot that was demonstrated on first class amateurs channel. With having the two tails you could tie a permanent look in one end rather than making the larks head every time. Effectively making a soft shackle button that just pops in and out.
I think the cow hitch is the most undervalued knot out there … and it's not even a knot. You can use one to tie a fixed loop (as long as it's under tension). You can use it to create a sliding loop. You can use it to pack stuff. You can use it to tie two crossbeams. You can use it in a trucker's hitch as well. You can use it to create soft shackles.
Thank you for the video. I looped a one inch toggle onto ridgeline prusik knots for my first ever ridgeline recently, learned from one of your previous videos. No knots needed as your know, but this system in the video is smaller footprint. Plus really neat to see and learn all the other options. Thanks again for all of your videos, may have to try that locking brummel via 36 bankline next, for a super small footprint.
Congratulations David. I think you nailed it when you said "Whatever works for you", your ideas and methods are valid and applicable. Well done and THANK YOU !
I like it. For many applications the Larks Head hitch is an under appreciated hitch. Thank you for sharing. Soft shackles I learned from Blackie, the toggle thingy-bob I learned from Felix Immler. Your combination is outstanding as well. Very much appreciate your knowledge. Also, it is impressive you give credit to those you learned from as well. Sir, I tip my hat to you!
I made my ridge line in a similar fashion, but I made my Prusics from #36 bank line. Once the Prusic was in place I made a soft shackle by tying two overhand knots a few inches apart near the ridge line and a stop knot at the bottom. Slip the stop knot through your tarp loop or gromet and tuck it between the two overhand knots to soft shackle it in place. I made a similar soft shackle setup on one end of the ridge line, super fast and easy to set up. I have 5 Prusics on my ridge line. The first one secures the far end of the ridge line, there are two for the tarp and two spares. To secure the far end of the ridge line you run the ridge line around your anchor point (tree) and wrap it twice around the soft shackle near the stop knot. Now just tuck the stop knot through between the overhand knots and snug it up.
Strangely enough I used to do exactly that after I had a grommet rip out of a corner of a cheap tarp in a high wind about 25 years ago. Tried many different ways of skinning the cat over the years. There is no one right way. And doing things differently now and then is fun. Some easier and some harder.
Thanks Dave! I've been using a prusik with a little S-hook on my ridge line to stretch out my tarp, but the hook is always fouling the ridge line when I uncoil it. Now I can ditch the S-hooks and use this simple soft-shackle method. My hammock buddies will love it too. You rock!
Honestly, what works for me is just using knots the whole way through. Double half hitch or GE knot on one tree. Dave's quick release trucker hitch on the other end, where you can tighten the line without untying the knot. Carry a few short pieces of cord for on-the-fly prusiks to tie to tarp ends. And taught line hitch for any off the ground stakes, or tarp fly to a tree. It's easier to remember those knots than to have a complicated setup.
And just when I thought I had the latest version of the QDR all set up, you go and change it to make it better. I'll just cut the 2 prusik loops and tie stop knots in the ends. Ridgeline updated, just like that. I appreciate all the tinkering that you do to improve on things and make them easier to use.
So many different options to try out and see which ones work best because everyone is different and have different ways of doing basically the same thing.
In the desert it’s really not so simple to just set up a shelter. Finding a decent location is one thing but a ridge line is a luxury. Finding a toggle that won’t snap if you can set one up is another problem. However I don’t let that stop me from keeping up with alternative methods when I do find myself in the woods.
TO avoid tying and to get the job done faster I suggest installing toggles on the prusiks. Pass them through the fabric loop of the tarp and back into the prusik loop
I attach four prusic hitches to my ridgeline. Then I tie the ridgeline to the first tree with a modified siberian hitch. Then I bring the other end of the ridgeline and just one of the prusic hitches around the other tree. Then I attach the prusic hitch that went around the tree to the prusic hitch that didn't come around the tree with a kite knot. Then I slide the prusic hitch to tighten up the ridgline. And a kite knot is a larkshead knot attached to a stopper knot. Then I attach soft shackles to the guyline loops on the tarp. And to make the soft shackles I use a bowline on a bight, but tied to be a double looped slipknot. Then I attach the soft shackles to the two remaining prusic hitches with kite knots.
Dave, superb soft shackle I will incorporate it into my trap system. I was using a quick trucker hitch which has served me well for 40 years. I found truckers hitch kind of hard to replace with a better hold not that is still quick release. This soft shackle will give it a run for the money.
That's perty slick...I been havein loop prusicks on my ridgeline,anda knot side on my fly,and I shackle them tagether. Mite have ta give that a go.thanks fer the vid.
Interesting enhancement to this concept. I tried it out in a few different applications and it seems to work really well. Thanks, Dave. I’ll hold onto this tool.
Geez, How do you remember all those knots?? I was so happy the other day to remember a Canadian jam and a Marlin spike. Oh! I did use the one with the hole thru the toggle. That is a sweet tensioning system.
Good idea for being ready with your own materials..but I just use a regular prusik loop, run it through the tarp loop and cinch it on a stick toggle that I find on the ground
Dave, you make want to seek help for your cordage obsession. When you find it, please give me their number too. I just spent 2.5mo's van camping. I got a good system down using Boy Scout training and some tips from you. But now I am back home and online and watching all of your cordage vids with extreme interest. So many tips just click now. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. I'm too old for a survival class, but maybe I can make it up there for a knot class, or just to buy you a beer...
I'm glad to see you looking at and developing your Ridgeline system. I hammock pretty much exclusively these days and have been using soft shackles in place of biners on my tree straps for about 2 years. About 6 months ago I started playing around with a couple ways to use them on my tarps. This idea with the prussic as your soft shackle is interesting. I'm curious how it'll perform in a steady, all night wind. Thanks for the idea.
This is really cool Dave. I usually just use the prusik loops and a toggle but this is a great substitute for "what if". I'll have to practice this. Thanks!
another way to get a smaller diameter cord for the prusik is removing the inner strands out of the shell of the paracord and use the shell only for the prusik. the flat line grabs even better
Great idea, Sir ! I only have a couple of questions... Is the "Lark's head", the same as a girth hitch ? #2 - how long should the line be, average, to create the soft shackle prusik hitch ? I don't want it to be too short, or not long enough for older folks' dexterity. Thank you in advance. Keep up the great work !!!
Hi Dave, what if you use a long prusic (6 or 7 inches ), tie an overhand knot half way down and another at the end. Put the end knot through your grommet/ tarp loop fold back over the middle knot like a shackle, or twist the middle knot 2 times and put the end knot between the middle knot and the first twist.like a twisted shackle.
I love how you are always thinking of and sharing new ideas with a pleasant, humble attitude. You are a great teacher! Thank you.
Dave has reached Mors Kochanski level status. Dave could quit this world now and he would go down in history as one of the best if not the best outdoor/bushcraft/woodcraft/survival instructors/teacher's ever. He's doing what he loves and doing more good for us students of the outdoors than he'll ever know.
All this info on the web get over whelmingwhy change stuff ?
I like simple stuff and not more gear to carry but every time Dave shows us something different I go that’s cool and I may need that some day. I thank you for all your teachings
May not use all the time but it’s fun to learn
Thank you
As I said On Blackie's channel, what is so great about this back-and-forth is that everyone peppers their wisdom and all we have to do is pick a flavor. And now. the flavors are multiplying like Tribbles!
I like it. It is fast and easy. Knowledge of knots turns a piece of rope into a thousand tools.
Me, next camping trip: arrives at dark like always….at dawn, still standing there paralyzed by choices of how to tie ridge line 😂😂😂😂😂. Great ideas like always!
Watching this video is definitely tied up all my loose ends😂😂😂
I love the grin Dave gets on his face when he's in the heat of explaining a concept. That's a man with real passion for his trade.
Thank you, Mr. Canterbury, for your incredibly useful, practical, clear, and valuable continuing series of videos on the uses of knots, hitches, lines, cordage, and ropes of all kinds! There is no area of life that could not benefit from your generous, free, interesting, advice, wisdom, and skillful teaching about this ancient and primal technology subject. Even if it might be already known, the reinforcement is necessary and valuable, and when it is new knowledge, it is crucial. But did I also forget to mention, free of charge? You are making yourself an Internet treasure with this stuff, sir.
I love how you are always trying new things or researching new ways to do things. Nothing gets stagnant with your videos. As always keep all the great videos coming.
Dave Canterbury's ropework keeps getting better each time. Tks!, for sharing, Dave.
I was going to skip you video because I’ve never heard of soft shackles and why would I ever need one!! My favorite piece of rope now. Just wow. I’m enlightened!!
Slick. Saves me from using a toggle. Thanks for sharing.
Smart and useful content as usual!
This video made me think to myself;
"Self," "why not replace the smaller overhand knot with a Celtic button knot?"
"It's larger than one overhand knot and this knot has multiple uses."
"Such as making it into a cinching knot."
Anyways it might be a good addition to this cool idea of yours..
Thanks David👍🤠👍🇺🇸✊
I don't care what anyone else is saying about Dave, I really do enjoy his vida and find he has some great ideas.
Thats pretty neat way Dave, but really, I still like your toggle method with the prusic hitch. I keep the toggles I need in my tarp bag. Easy and fast to take down. If need be I find a stick.
Thanks for sharing.
Better teachable often translates to easier to learn and keep. With hitches and knots there are many ways to skin the cat. It often comes down to preferences of people or services. Having mastered one method beats knowing several options and struggling with each.
I tend to use parachord for my prussiks. It´s only a tarp. I want the hitch to slide before the tarp tears.
I like it! I'll use both I guess...I still like the prusik with a toggle...but I'll try this for some variation. Thanks... 🙂
Nothing is better than anything else, except within its context. An important distiction.
Thanks for saying this and sharing your knowledge.
This is way cleaner to me than toggles. I love this.
Choices like everyone has to make everyday ..I love Freedom in America. Have fun stay safe.
Thank you for giving us so many options. As always Totally Awesome
These evolution of simplicity videos are great.
Bushcraft Santa dropping seeds of wisdom.
I use almost the same system Dave ! My soft shackle on the prussik hitch start like yours, but on the two tail ends I put one stop knot, and one tiny loop with a bowline knot, then I simply connect the two of them. I hope you try it ! Simply search Araw Shackle Ridgeline 😉
very good idea sir !! i will be looking at this for my set...thank you for all that you do
Good idea! Since the ridge line has already toggles I went for toggles on the prusiks - toggle through the tarp loop and ready for tension.
Now that's the right approach. Simplicity is key. If any element can be removed from the system (as completely unnecessary toggles), then it must be removed.
I’ve said this before, when you are cold, wet and tired and it’s dark and weather is coming in the last thing you want to be doing is fumbling around with little strands of line. The toggles are quick, easy and give you something to hold onto. I guessing that a lot of UA-camrs don’t bushcraft in the cold or adverse weather. Every buddy for some reason is concerned about taking an extra 10 seconds to derig. Why?
Actually we teach toggles at the basic class for that reason. These are only options as I stated
So many years i have been following you that I've lost count..... Always good stuff 😀
Merry Christmas my Friend 🎅✝
Great idea. I did the same thing utilizing the inline soft shackle knot that was demonstrated on first class amateurs channel. With having the two tails you could tie a permanent look in one end rather than making the larks head every time. Effectively making a soft shackle button that just pops in and out.
Like a jungle rope! I like that idea
I think the cow hitch is the most undervalued knot out there … and it's not even a knot.
You can use one to tie a fixed loop (as long as it's under tension).
You can use it to create a sliding loop.
You can use it to pack stuff.
You can use it to tie two crossbeams.
You can use it in a trucker's hitch as well.
You can use it to create soft shackles.
Thank you for the video. I looped a one inch toggle onto ridgeline prusik knots for my first ever ridgeline recently, learned from one of your previous videos. No knots needed as your know, but this system in the video is smaller footprint. Plus really neat to see and learn all the other options. Thanks again for all of your videos, may have to try that locking brummel via 36 bankline next, for a super small footprint.
That's a really good idea.
I love how UA-cam brings all the ideas together and shared around.
Congratulations David. I think you nailed it when you said "Whatever works for you", your ideas and methods are valid and applicable. Well done and THANK YOU !
I like it. For many applications the Larks Head hitch is an under appreciated hitch. Thank you for sharing. Soft shackles I learned from Blackie, the toggle thingy-bob I learned from Felix Immler. Your combination is outstanding as well. Very much appreciate your knowledge. Also, it is impressive you give credit to those you learned from as well. Sir, I tip my hat to you!
Dave is Always improvising, adapting, & overcoming! That’s a great idea…..
I made my ridge line in a similar fashion, but I made my Prusics from #36 bank line. Once the Prusic was in place I made a soft shackle by tying two overhand knots a few inches apart near the ridge line and a stop knot at the bottom. Slip the stop knot through your tarp loop or gromet and tuck it between the two overhand knots to soft shackle it in place. I made a similar soft shackle setup on one end of the ridge line, super fast and easy to set up.
I have 5 Prusics on my ridge line. The first one secures the far end of the ridge line, there are two for the tarp and two spares. To secure the far end of the ridge line you run the ridge line around your anchor point (tree) and wrap it twice around the soft shackle near the stop knot. Now just tuck the stop knot through between the overhand knots and snug it up.
Strangely enough I used to do exactly that after I had a grommet rip out of a corner of a cheap tarp in a high wind about 25 years ago.
Tried many different ways of skinning the cat over the years. There is no one right way. And doing things differently now and then is fun. Some easier and some harder.
Thanks Dave! I've been using a prusik with a little S-hook on my ridge line to stretch out my tarp, but the hook is always fouling the ridge line when I uncoil it. Now I can ditch the S-hooks and use this simple soft-shackle method. My hammock buddies will love it too. You rock!
Honestly, what works for me is just using knots the whole way through. Double half hitch or GE knot on one tree. Dave's quick release trucker hitch on the other end, where you can tighten the line without untying the knot. Carry a few short pieces of cord for on-the-fly prusiks to tie to tarp ends. And taught line hitch for any off the ground stakes, or tarp fly to a tree. It's easier to remember those knots than to have a complicated setup.
Nice idea. It's always good to have alternatives in the toolbox.
Awesome,Dave you definitely are a wealth of info,and knowledge!
Been using prusik loops with toggles. This looks really cool and simple. Gonna have to check it out!
I really appreciate that you share knowledge like you do. All these methods just increase our knowledge!
The prusik knots very useful... used it today to get up and down my mast on my sailboat
Man I like this idea instead of using a toggle, does eliminate extra materials although a stick isn't hard to find in the woods.
Brilliant, Dave. While I like messing around and making soft shackles and other rigging devices - I love this simple method!
And just when I thought I had the latest version of the QDR all set up, you go and change it to make it better. I'll just cut the 2 prusik loops and tie stop knots in the ends. Ridgeline updated, just like that. I appreciate all the tinkering that you do to improve on things and make them easier to use.
Cool idea. Useful in a number of different circumstances. Thanks a lot.
Thanks for offering a nice quick way to use that extra strand! There's a lot to be said for knowing how to keep it simple.
Prusiks are amazing...Thank you for this!!
I'll have to give it a try. Thanks Dave for sharing your knowledge and time.
So many different options to try out and see which ones work best because everyone is different and have different ways of doing basically the same thing.
Great idea Dave thanks. I saw where Blackie made a soft shakle from a reverse twist loop. Works quite well.
Another awesome video as always and thank you Dave for all what you do by showing us with those awesome video you do every week.
Exactly what I was looking for. I've always liked the lark's head knot.
You’ve made it simpler! Brilliant. The uses are limitless.
Good stuff Dave. Thanks for sharing this with us 👍👍🔱⚓🇺🇲🇺🇲
In the desert it’s really not so simple to just set up a shelter. Finding a decent location is one thing but a ridge line is a luxury.
Finding a toggle that won’t snap if you can set one up is another problem. However I don’t let that stop me from keeping up with alternative methods when I do find myself in the woods.
TO avoid tying and to get the job done faster I suggest installing toggles on the prusiks. Pass them through the fabric loop of the tarp and back into the prusik loop
That's what it's like to carry multiple tools in your head ... Great video!
Nice!..thanks for the instructions on the Soft Shackle…I’ll be using that in the future.
👍👍👍
Another variation on a theme .. always handy to know .. thanks.
Take care ..
I attach four prusic hitches to my ridgeline. Then I tie the ridgeline to the first tree with a modified siberian hitch. Then I bring the other end of the ridgeline and just one of the prusic hitches around the other tree. Then I attach the prusic hitch that went around the tree to the prusic hitch that didn't come around the tree with a kite knot. Then I slide the prusic hitch to tighten up the ridgline. And a kite knot is a larkshead knot attached to a stopper knot.
Then I attach soft shackles to the guyline loops on the tarp. And to make the soft shackles I use a bowline on a bight, but tied to be a double looped slipknot. Then I attach the soft shackles to the two remaining prusic hitches with kite knots.
I love these types of videos...Thank you for sharing!
Dave, superb soft shackle I will incorporate it into my trap system. I was using a quick trucker hitch which has served me well for 40 years. I found truckers hitch kind of hard to replace with a better hold not that is still quick release. This soft shackle will give it a run for the money.
Good tip, thanks, camping now so I'll probably give it a try!
Ah that's a simple little idea. Thanks for sharing I'm going to save that 1
Added to my arsenal. A simple tweek.
Many thanks 💪🏻
Absolutely a great Idea. Thank you for sharing this....
That's perty slick...I been havein loop prusicks on my ridgeline,anda knot side on my fly,and I shackle them tagether. Mite have ta give that a go.thanks fer the vid.
Interesting enhancement to this concept. I tried it out in a few different applications and it seems to work really well. Thanks, Dave. I’ll hold onto this tool.
Great concept and great explanation. Going to give this a try.
Always more than one way to skin a cat! Gonna give it a try. Thanks Dave!
Geez, How do you remember all those knots?? I was so happy the other day to remember a Canadian jam and a Marlin spike. Oh! I did use the one with the hole thru the toggle. That is a sweet tensioning system.
Good idea for being ready with your own materials..but I just use a regular prusik loop, run it through the tarp loop and cinch it on a stick toggle that I find on the ground
Cool idea, Thank You for the continued great content!
Dave, you make want to seek help for your cordage obsession. When you find it, please give me their number too.
I just spent 2.5mo's van camping. I got a good system down using Boy Scout training and some tips from you. But now I am back home and online and watching all of your cordage vids with extreme interest. So many tips just click now. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
I'm too old for a survival class, but maybe I can make it up there for a knot class, or just to buy you a beer...
Dave, how many time this week are you gonna make me alter my ridge line? 😢😂😂🎉
Love it, man. Keep the great ideas coming
Thank you Dave.
Brilliant video Dave
I'm glad to see you looking at and developing your Ridgeline system. I hammock pretty much exclusively these days and have been using soft shackles in place of biners on my tree straps for about 2 years. About 6 months ago I started playing around with a couple ways to use them on my tarps. This idea with the prussic as your soft shackle is interesting. I'm curious how it'll perform in a steady, all night wind. Thanks for the idea.
Interesting. I just recently incorporated soft shackles to my ridgeline. Awesome video my friend.
Simpler than the separate soft shackles that I use. Thanks, i will try it.
Thank you Dave I love the way you improve the way of tuning xour Setups 💪😎 greetings from germany ✌️ Horrido Dicon
I likes it. But I really like the ready made Prussik Loops with toggles.
This is really cool Dave. I usually just use the prusik loops and a toggle but this is a great substitute for "what if". I'll have to practice this. Thanks!
Great stuff as always Dave. I can see that being handy. Eliminates toggles. Going to try this this next hammock camp
wow what a great idea
Try leaving a short piece of cord on the tarp. for each end. Then use a rolling hitch to the ridge line for adjusting tension.
I watched a vid of someone using soft shackles and prusiks the other day to attach his tarp to ridgeline. He attached the shakle to the prussic.
Great tip brother. Thanks for sharing 👍
What a great idea! I like it
another way to get a smaller diameter cord for the prusik is removing the inner strands out of the shell of the paracord and use the shell only for the prusik. the flat line grabs even better
Thanks Dave. 💪
Thanks Dave
Somebody lit a fire 🔥 under Dave, he’s making videos like crazy now.
Great idea, Sir !
I only have a couple of questions...
Is the "Lark's head", the same as a girth hitch ?
#2 - how long should the line be, average, to create the soft shackle prusik hitch ? I don't want it to be too short, or not long enough for older folks' dexterity.
Thank you in advance.
Keep up the great work !!!
Always great content. I'm gonna try this next time I go out.
I noticed that your tarp has loops . All I ever find is tarps that have grommets .
What gives ?
Great tutorial . Thx for posting .
Hi Dave, what if you use a long prusic (6 or 7 inches ), tie an overhand knot half way down and another at the end. Put the end knot through your grommet/ tarp loop fold back over the middle knot like a shackle, or twist the middle knot 2 times and put the end knot between the middle knot and the first twist.like a twisted shackle.
Nice idea, thanks