Well done, Dave! Yes it's been done before, but your calm, friendly and deliberate way of instructing makes this one of the best I've ever seen. Keep up the excellent work! -Bas
Thank you so much for making these videos. I'm a brand-spanking-new backpacker and your videos have helped me gain knowledge and confidence of solo backpacking. I think I've watched just about every one of your videos.
+Michelle Freiberger Thank you so much for that comment! You just made my day. So happy to help! That's the entire reason I made this series. Have a good one!
Great Video!! I'm glad to say that I knew all of them. I'm PROUD to say that my sons (both boy scouts) know them well too as the square knot, bowline, two-half hitches and the taught-line hitch are all boy scout requirements.
Just FYI, that double sheet bend is tied wrong. The thinner line needs to go underneath itself on both loops, forming parallel wraps inside. The way you have it is going to put torque on the knot from the rear, and it's going to twist under load as you saw. Thanks for the video!
Also the single sheet bend is tied left handed, the weaker version of the sheet bend. The thin line should turn around the end side of the heavy line first before crossing under the standing part and under itself.
Dave Collins - For a better adjustable loop knot that won't slip use the Tautline's evil twin the Midshipman's Hitch. Overlapping the second turn instead of laying it parallel gives it superior friction. If it doesn't overcome slippery cordage issues, then you're using the wrong cordage. Nicely done video, I appreciate good work. I left some other comments about your Sheet Bends, but the video is really good over all. You demonstrated at a good speed and used different views of the knots. Great photography, framing, distance, focus, all lighting all spot on, (sorry for the pun). Your shooter know's their business.
nice videos, glad to see someone using the truckers hitch. Its the most useful knot on the boat. We call it the offshore truckers hitch. I bet when you use it for long periods of time or for real tight hold downs or wet line, that slippery hitch becomes pretty tough to pull out? Next time try putting one extra twist in it before you pull the loop through. It will not tighten on itself and come apart much easier!
Instead of a slip knot, I always make an alpine butterfly loop instead. It's nearly as quick to tie, and easy to untie no matter how strong the load was.
Hi Dave, I'm a big fan of your work, but I think you should check your double sheet bend, at 4:22 the working end of the thinner line should pass under its standing end. In other words, in the finished knot the working end of the fine line should pass under two loops of fine line, instead of just the one as you've shown. If necessary a quick image search should clarify what I mean. Additionally, most resources state that the working end of the thick and thin lines finish on the same side of the (single) sheet bend. I find this counter-intuitive because when tied in this manner the sheet bend can gear itself loose, because when loaded, friction between the working and standing parts caused the the working ends to be pulled back into the knot. I haven't been able to find convincing reason to avoid having the working ends on opposite sides, so I will continue to tie it this way. Finally, I'm pretty sure the average user won't notice a difference between the methods shown in the video and the ones I've outlined here, but maybe there's someone out there who will find it useful or at least interesting. Thanks for all of your hard work that goes into these videos, I've watched nearly all of them and I think they are some of the best resources available, for new and seasoned hikers/backpackers alike.
Brandon Gendre - I noticed and appreciate the subtle differences. Most of the time they don't matter, but under harsh circumstances they can make the difference. I have never had a left-handed sheet bend fail on me and I almost always never tie them, but if everyone says it that it's less reliable I avoid it. I would like to think that it is based on sailors experience not superstition. One day when I have nothing better to do I will research it exhaustively. There is a great debate on whether it is better to know a bad version of a knot than to not know it at all. I say if in doubt practice the best knot till it's muscle memorized. I too appreciate David's efforts at making the video and encourage him to keep on prodoucing more.
WARNINGS IF SQUARE OR REEF KNOT AS GRANNY, SLIPS . REEF KNOT IS BEAR TO UNTIE IF PULLED TIGHT, USE SLIPPED REEF THEN OR TOOGLE . DOUBLE SHEET, FIRST LOOP IS SUPPOSED TO BE INSIDE. THANKS RADAR
I really enjoy your videos, they are very informative.I am doing a thru hike of the foothills trail in South Carolina (76 miles) in September and am considering buying a hanheld GPS device. I have looked at the Garmin ETrex 30. I mainly just want it for telling me how many miles I have hiked and how far to my next camping area. Do you have any thoughts about this device? Thanks in advance.
Great series! If I was to add one more to the list, it would be the Alpine Butterfly Loop/Bend, which is the one Dave shows at the beginning on Grog's site (www.animatedknots.com/alpinebutterfly/). This one is great for adding a secure loop in the middle of a rope, or joining two ropes together (I feel it is much more secure than the sheet bend). It is so fast, easy, and useful you will be glad you learned it. And if you need inspiration to learn the trucker's hitch ... ua-cam.com/video/TUHgGK-tImY/v-deo.html
i think this video failed the second you decided to film knots being tied from the opposite perspective - this always confuses new knot-tiers. Best practice is to show knots being tied from an over the shoulder perspective that the new student of knots would see themselves, where the right hand is on the right side of the screen, the left on the left, etc. It's almost impossible to learn to write legibly while looking in a mirror. Tying knots uses the same part of your brain. So essentially you've handicapped the student by filming from this POV.
Well done, Dave! Yes it's been done before, but your calm, friendly and deliberate way of instructing makes this one of the best I've ever seen.
Keep up the excellent work! -Bas
Out and About West Thanks so much Bas! I appreciate the feedback.
Excellent depiction of the knots. Very visual and easy to learn from. Thank you.
+Bryan Jones You're very welcome! Thanks for the nice comment.
Great video Dave. I've watched all of them. Professional and educational. I finally ditched the waterproof boots and I am forever grateful. Bless you.
+David Barclay Thanks David! I love getting comments like that! Makes my day every time. Enjoy the new freedom!
Thank you so much for making these videos. I'm a brand-spanking-new backpacker and your videos have helped me gain knowledge and confidence of solo backpacking. I think I've watched just about every one of your videos.
+Michelle Freiberger Thank you so much for that comment! You just made my day. So happy to help! That's the entire reason I made this series. Have a good one!
Great Video!! I'm glad to say that I knew all of them. I'm PROUD to say that my sons (both boy scouts) know them well too as the square knot, bowline, two-half hitches and the taught-line hitch are all boy scout requirements.
SoCalDaveL Nice! Strong work and thanks for the comment!
Just FYI, that double sheet bend is tied wrong. The thinner line needs to go underneath itself on both loops, forming parallel wraps inside. The way you have it is going to put torque on the knot from the rear, and it's going to twist under load as you saw. Thanks for the video!
Also the single sheet bend is tied left handed, the weaker version of the sheet bend. The thin line should turn around the end side of the heavy line first before crossing under the standing part and under itself.
Good summary! Thanks for sharing these knots.
Dave Collins - For a better adjustable loop knot that won't slip use the Tautline's evil twin the Midshipman's Hitch. Overlapping the second turn instead of laying it parallel gives it superior friction. If it doesn't overcome slippery cordage issues, then you're using the wrong cordage.
Nicely done video, I appreciate good work. I left some other comments about your Sheet Bends, but the video is really good over all. You demonstrated at a good speed and used different views of the knots. Great photography, framing, distance, focus, all lighting all spot on, (sorry for the pun). Your shooter know's their business.
Thanks for sharing! Very useful information that will most definitely come in handy!
MooseMoose Thanks Moose! I appreciate the support.
Nice! I was waiting for this video! Time to get some rope and practice!
Drew Watts Thanks Drew!
nice videos, glad to see someone using the truckers hitch. Its the most useful knot on the boat. We call it the offshore truckers hitch. I bet when you use it for long periods of time or for real tight hold downs or wet line, that slippery hitch becomes pretty tough to pull out? Next time try putting one extra twist in it before you pull the loop through. It will not tighten on itself and come apart much easier!
+Heyzipupyourfly Thanks so much! That's a great tip. I'll give that a try.
Instead of a slip knot, I always make an alpine butterfly loop instead. It's nearly as quick to tie, and easy to untie no matter how strong the load was.
Awesome video!
Amazing how you tie the first one with one move.
Thanks!
I lnow a few basic knots
But thae will be on my list of stuff I have to practise and learn
thanks !
PREPFORIT You're very welcome!
Hi Dave, I'm a big fan of your work, but I think you should check your double sheet bend, at 4:22 the working end of the thinner line should pass under its standing end. In other words, in the finished knot the working end of the fine line should pass under two loops of fine line, instead of just the one as you've shown. If necessary a quick image search should clarify what I mean.
Additionally, most resources state that the working end of the thick and thin lines finish on the same side of the (single) sheet bend. I find this counter-intuitive because when tied in this manner the sheet bend can gear itself loose, because when loaded, friction between the working and standing parts caused the the working ends to be pulled back into the knot. I haven't been able to find convincing reason to avoid having the working ends on opposite sides, so I will continue to tie it this way.
Finally, I'm pretty sure the average user won't notice a difference between the methods shown in the video and the ones I've outlined here, but maybe there's someone out there who will find it useful or at least interesting.
Thanks for all of your hard work that goes into these videos, I've watched nearly all of them and I think they are some of the best resources available, for new and seasoned hikers/backpackers alike.
Brandon Gendre - I noticed and appreciate the subtle differences. Most of the time they don't matter, but under harsh circumstances they can make the difference. I have never had a left-handed sheet bend fail on me and I almost always never tie them, but if everyone says it that it's less reliable I avoid it. I would like to think that it is based on sailors experience not superstition. One day when I have nothing better to do I will research it exhaustively.
There is a great debate on whether it is better to know a bad version of a knot than to not know it at all. I say if in doubt practice the best knot till it's muscle memorized. I too appreciate David's efforts at making the video and encourage him to keep on prodoucing more.
Very helpful. Cheers!
4phuxsake1 Thanks!
Another great video.
Bsfcc 04 Thanks!
Great video! Thanks!
Brad Herder Thanks Brad!
Great advice
Thanks!
Very helping video Dave some ways I did not even know and keep make cool videos
MP 10000 $ Thanks!
WARNINGS IF SQUARE OR REEF KNOT AS GRANNY, SLIPS . REEF KNOT IS BEAR TO UNTIE IF PULLED TIGHT, USE SLIPPED REEF THEN OR TOOGLE
. DOUBLE SHEET, FIRST LOOP IS SUPPOSED TO BE INSIDE.
THANKS RADAR
excellent!
michael åhlfors Thanks!
Hey great video man. Super helpful. I was just wondering though, what would you say is one of the most practical uses for the square knot when hiking?
+simeon hallman Eh, hard to say. I usually just use it for simple ties, but it's not the most practical of knots. Mostly it just looks cool.
I really enjoy your videos, they are very informative.I am doing a thru hike of the foothills trail in South Carolina (76 miles) in September and am considering buying a hanheld GPS device. I have looked at the Garmin ETrex 30. I mainly just want it for telling me how many miles I have hiked and how far to my next camping area. Do you have any thoughts about this device? Thanks in advance.
Bella Day Hi Bella, I don't have any experience with that specific model. Sorry! Thanks for the comment though!
Okay, thanks anyway. I am looking forward to more of your videos. Happy Hiking :)
Tautline hitch doesn't hold very well, tends to slip. Adjustable grip hitch is a much better knot.
Thanks for the tip!
Your awesome and we're do you hike st
Thanks!
I knew all of them
Well done!
Great series! If I was to add one more to the list, it would be the Alpine Butterfly Loop/Bend, which is the one Dave shows at the beginning on Grog's site (www.animatedknots.com/alpinebutterfly/). This one is great for adding a secure loop in the middle of a rope, or joining two ropes together (I feel it is much more secure than the sheet bend). It is so fast, easy, and useful you will be glad you learned it.
And if you need inspiration to learn the trucker's hitch ... ua-cam.com/video/TUHgGK-tImY/v-deo.html
i think this video failed the second you decided to film knots being tied from the opposite perspective - this always confuses new knot-tiers. Best practice is to show knots being tied from an over the shoulder perspective that the new student of knots would see themselves, where the right hand is on the right side of the screen, the left on the left, etc.
It's almost impossible to learn to write legibly while looking in a mirror. Tying knots uses the same part of your brain. So essentially you've handicapped the student by filming from this POV.
Fair point. Good food for thought for the next time. Have a good one.