3 Knots An Outdoorsman Should Know - Dan Wowak

With thousands of knots it’s tough to decide what ones are important to know. Someone on a sailboat is going to answer much differently than someone who is climbing a mountain. Luckily, the knots used when camping work perfect for tasks around the house.

Maybe its typing down a Christmas tree to the roof of a car or making a rope leash for your best friend Fido the Dog these three knots are sure to be winners.

[gregr]

Your explanation and actually showing the moves you are making in a slow non confusing way, is one of the easiest to follow! I have watched hundreds, probably over a thousand knot videos and yours is the easiest to understand. I need to really understand something to get it ! You are a good teacher !

[Adam.Rushing]

The Bowline knot was originally used on ships. They tie this knot at the end of their mooring line that were on the "Bow" of the boat, as opposed to "Stern". That line is called the Bow Line. So the actual original verbiage would have been: "Bow" (like bowing before a king, or like the Japanese do) and "line" (like a fishing line, or clothesline). The pronunciation of Bowline has been shortened over the years, so whatever version you want to use nowadays, go for it. Personally I pronounce it like Bo-lynn :)

They used the bow line, with a bowline knot at the tip, to throw to the dock as they were coming in to port. The guy on the dock would throw the loop over a cleat, then that cleat and line would stop the boat's forward progress...therefore that line gets a LOT of tension on it, and the knot tightens immensely. They needed a knot that they would still be able to untie after such immense pressure, so they could either retie it for a different sized cleat, or to use that line for other things if/when needed. That is what the Bowline knot is best known for - being a secure knot that you can always untie after use.

[nightcrawler]

everytime i watch your videos i learn knotting

[eltordo]

From uncomfortable to comfortable...now I'll never forget!😎👍👍👍

[August]

Dan is one of the greatest teachers on YouTube: passionate, knowledgeable, clear.

[schlemmermaul]

THE best, clearest knot demonstration I’ve ever seen!! Thanks for your no nonsense, methodical knot tying lesson.

[canucanoe]

When tying the truckers hitch, pass the working end through the tensioning loop twice rather than just once. Now when you pull it tight, the doubled line will lock allowing you to keep your tension while tying off the hitch. When releasing knot, just pass the line back through the tension loop once and pull hard. This will release it allowing for easy untying.

[abhishes]

After watching a dozen videos on bowline... finally this one taught me how to tie the knot.

[tw]

People can quibble about what to call certain knots or precisely how to achieve them, but no one deny you are one hell of a natural teacher. Awesome job teaching these. Thank You!!

[tirins]

Truckers hitch! Yep, exactly what i needed for my tight lines. Thank you, Sir!

[IFallGames]

Thank you sir! I watched and practiced the trucker hitch probably 50 times before I went out for a 3 day hike. Only had to hang the tarp once but I remembered all the key phrases you used and was able to set up camp like a pro!

[antoniogonzales]

"Once you come in the backside of the dime" giggity 😆

[mtzrkph]

The truckers hitch is my all time favorite knot. I actually am a truck driver and I use this knot more than any other! Great for securing loads and you can cinch it down so tight! Some people don't have the finger strength to adequately pinch the line, so if you simply feed the line through the loop one more time first, it will be easier to pinch it off, and it also can have sort of a ratcheting effect and will hold itself as you regrip to pull it even tighter. A modified truckers hitch.

[ramblingracheltrailtales]

Good evening Des. It's good to see you out walking in the glorious Peak District. x

[Solemn_Kaizoku]

There are so many knot videos on Youtube, but this one offers such clear instruction (both verbally and that fact you can actually see what he's doing) and real-world examples that are demonstrated. I feel like anything Mr. Wowak does is golden. Thanks!

[ServantOfJesusChrist]

Wowza! I will remember these now after only one video. Learned many knots as a young girl but could only ever remember two...

[stoutkm]

"I'm a Frayed Knot!" Thanks Dan. You used a nice thick rope that is easy to see and demonstrate with.

[b.s.adventures]

Thank you. The last part of the truckers is where I’d always get jammed up.
Good explanation with little mental notes.
“Uncomfortable”, “number 4”, etc.

[StarfishPrime]

Dan, you are a master teacher. I thought, "14 minutes on 3 knots?" Well, now I know how to tie those 3 knots after spending hours watching other videos. Thank you!!

[justnandesigns]

A+, best explanation of bowline knot I've seen! Thanks Dan