5 Knots Everyone Should Know

Practice these knots before you actually need to use them... you'll be so happy you did!

The knots in this video are:
Girth hitch, Larksfoot, or Cow hitch
Bowline
Engineer's or Fiddle String Knot
Water Knot
Sheep Shank

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[Deerhunterjs]

A hitch needs something to bind to, without that it will fall apart. A knot is self-sustaining and will stay together without an object to tie around.

[monikamccartney]

I think you made my husband's day. He retired, 26 years in the Navy. He loves his knots. He called out each one as you made it and truly appreciated your making this video. We've been watching y'all for years, but this was definitely his favorite. Thank you.

[michaeldougfir]

Well, about the hitch and the knot. Twice I have tied the knot and got hitched. Very sadly, they are both gone now. But these are two of the best things I have done in my life. ❤❤

[jerebigler]

I never looked at knotting as an "essential" skill but, by golly, I now see that it is. Thanks for sharing.

[EagleScoutT]

Thank you for this excellent demonstration of 5 useful knots. You didn't mention my favorite knot, the taughtline hitch. Soon I will be celebrating 53 years in the Boy Scouting movement, and a good knowledge of knots, how to tie them, and what application each knot is best used in, is invaluable.

[koreysmith]

Knots are way more fun than video games. I practice in the garage cuz I don't use them enough to remember.

Excellent video - entertaining and edjamakational!

[webb-cast]

Add an Ashley stopper knot to the list. It's a must for securing the handle on a rope recoil starter.

[bcnubynby]

My dad was a lineman for the power company and he taught me many practical knots when I was a boy. I can't tell you how many times I have used this knowledge during my life. Your video present a very good as well as practical info and philosophy. Thanks.

[brendanmulhall]

As a young man at Chief Logan Reservation boy scout camp, they had a series of "knot clubs" beginning with the "six knot club" and working up to 50 or so if I remember right. I don't think I ever made it past the six knot club but I still remember and utilize those knots often. Great video Scott!

[TheCowboylogic]

Excellent video.
My Grandson turned 15 this week. When he turned 5, I taught him the Lords Prayer, and 7 Knots Every Boy Should Know.
I am close in age to Scott (64). Have done a lot of things. Farmer, Rancher, Oilfield, Logger, Packer. I know a lot of knots and hitches. The difference is, a good knot can be simply untied by the man that tied it. A bad knot has to be untied with a hammer and screwdriver...or a knife. When I was a boy I worked for a Rancher who used the exact same knot on all of his gates. A square knot with two galf hitches. He told me that most people are not particular. He said he did it that way so that he knew if someone else had gone through his gates....

[mvblitzyo]

As an arborist I use these ALL of these knots often, any explanation for a new person to learn any these knots is ok with me as long as they learn the knots

[paulnguyen]

you're my favorite teacher, thank you very much sir!

[GTL]

When I was in the ironworks we had to learn lots of knots! And one of the most use knots I use is the bowline with a quick release and a clove hitch with a bit! And a barrel hitch! There’s lots of knots I’ve learned but those three were the most used! And I was once told by and old timer that if you can tie a bowline behind your back you’ll never forget it 😂

[johnn]

I’ve been teaching knots to Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts for years and I always use two different colored rope which make it very easy to understand the knots!
Great job Scott!

[marcberm]

Boy this really brings me back to my old Boy Scout days and my official BSA "Forty Knots" illustration card and practice kit.

[leehart]

Good morning from the Great State of Texas. I like this video. Due to my firefighting career I learned about knots and rope rescue stuff. We used to put a safety on the end of all knots. When lifting objects overhead of anyone, a safety is good to have.

[timleduc]

One of the things I used to stress to Boy Scouts when teaching them knots is that if you know how to tie a knot correctly you'll know how to untie it with ease. Love your videos.

[yougetagoldstar]

As one of those men out there who are the product of the crazy life-plan of the 60s that leads to broken families, I deeply appreciate you taking the time to share this knowledge. Those are beautiful knots. For the longest time I thought the only knots were the "tying a shoelace knot" and the "make a loop, stick the end of rope in the loop and tighten knot".

[georgewelker]

A bowline and a “cow hitch” and your “slip not” are my favorites and I use them all the time

[tanguerochas]

Nice video. A hitch is for tying a rope to an object. A knot is a rope tied to itself. A bend is tying two ropes together. A lashing is using a rope to tie two objects together. (Boy Scouts, a loong time ago.)
I guess I would add a Zeppelin Bend to your collection. Trucker's Hitch is also very useful.
Here is my list of knot links.