Overhand knot - part of the Scouting knots playlist

Next is the Overhand knot, a simple and overlooked knot, important as its the base for many knots.

I am filming a short series of videos based on the knots taught in Scouting. (UK) This will cover a mixture of Stopper knots (knots at the end of a rope), Bends (joins two ropes together), Hitches (ties to a ring, pole or bar), Lashings (joining poles together), Splices (joining a rope together permanently) and Whipping (knot work that stops a rope from unravelling).
I have based my choices on what is required by each group of scouting and what I have found easier for them to remember.
As I have said many times to Scouts, "a fancy or complicated knot is great but useless if you can't remember how to tie it".

Cubs - need to learn three different knots, they are not named but a overhand knot is a useful stopper knot to learn, I am suggesting it as a base for other knots.

Scouts - need to learn 6 knots, I suggest this isn't one of them as they should aim to achieve more complicated knots in my opinion, I have taught this one before as a reminder before teaching the Fisherman's Bend.

Use: a stopper knot at the end of the rope, once tied and pulled tight its very difficult to untie, note: can reduce the strength of rope by half.

other names: the simple knot, the thumb knot.

Ashley Book of Knots reference number is: #514