KNOT KNOWLEDGE

FRICTION HITCHES

[Blake's Hitch]

[Kreutzklem (Hedden)]

[Prusik]

[Kleimheist]

[Tautline Hitch/Rolling Hitch)]

[Sliding Sheet Bend]

[Return to Index]

Blake's Hitch

The Blake's Hitch is an ascending knot commonly used by arborists and tree climbers in general. It should only be used on arborist rope. Used for ascending, it is also used for descending as well.

Step #1
In this picture, the black rope is what you tie the Blake's Hitch to (the standing part), and the white rope (the end) is what will be used to tie the Blake's Hitch. Place the end in front of the standing part.

Step #2
Bring the end around behind the standing part.

Step #3
Keep wrapping the end around the standing part.

Step #4
Make more turns.

Step #5
Three turns are required.

Step #6
Bring the end down over itself...

Step #7
...and behind the standing part.

Step #8
Insert the end through the bottom two turns. When tying the knot it is helpful to wrap the bottom two turns around your thumb, so when you arrive at this step, you can remove your thumb and poke the end through the hole where your thumb was.

Finished Blake's Hitch - Front View
Dress and set the knot, adding a Figure 8 stopper knot in the tail for safety.

Finished Blake's Hitch - Rear View
Rear view.

[Top of Page]

Kreutzklem (Hedden)

The Kreutzklem (or Hedden) is quick and simple to tie and untie. It is also easy to loosen the knot after applying a load, to advance it up the rope.

Step #1
Form a bight from the loop and place it behind the climbing rope.

Step #2
Wrap the loop across the climbing rope.

Step #3
Continue wrapping the loop around the climbing rope.

Step #4
Insert the loop through the bight.

Finished Kreutzklem
Dress and set the knot.

[Top of Page]

Prusik

The prusik is widely used as an ascending knot. The friction can be increased by adding a third turn. The prusik can cinch up tightly and the friction can be somewhat difficult to break after a load has been applied.

Step #1
Place a bight of the loop across the climbing rope.

Step #2
Wrap the loop behind the climbing rope and through the bight.

Step #3
Continue wrapping the loop around the climbing rope.

Step #4
Wrap it behind the climbing rope again and through the bight.

Finished Prusik
Dress and set the knot. It is important to keep this knot neat while tightening.

Finished Prusik - Opposite View
Opposite view.

[Top of Page]

Kleimheist

The Kleimheist is easier to tie and untie than the prusik. It does not tend to cinch up as tightly as a prusik, so it is easier to break friction after releasing the load. You can add more turns to increase friction, as well.

Step #1
Place a bight of the loop behind the climbing rope.

Step #2
Wrap the loop across the climbing rope.

Step #3
Wrap the loop behind the climbing rope.

Step #4
Repeat steps 2 - 3 two more times.

Step #5
Insert the loop through the original bight

Finished Kleimheist
Pull the loop back down, bringing the bight down across the wraps. Tighten the knot.

[Top of Page]

Tautline Hitch (aka Rolling Hitch)

The Tautline Hitch is an adjustable knot that is commonly used for tensioning guy lines, such as on a tent. The knot can slide along the standing part. When the knot is released, the tension on the standing part tightens the coils in the knot, increasing the friction which keeps the knot in place under tension. Since the Tautline Hitch is tied to its own standing part, the rope must be able to slide around the object it is secured to for it to be adjustable. This knot is known as the Rolling Hitch when, instead of being tied around its standing part, it is tied around another rope, spar, or cylindrical object.

Step 1
Pull the end around a secure object (The picture shows an empty thread spool.)

Step 2
Bring the end under the standing part.

Step 3
Wrap the end around the standing part.

Step 4
Wrap the end around the standing part a second time.

Step 5
Now you add a half hitch above the turns. Bring the end over the standing part.

Step 6
Make a half hitch.

Finished Tautline Hitch
Tighten the loops. Be careful to keep the knot neat while doing this, and tighten it enough so that it will grip the standing part reliably, but not so tight that it can't easily slide.

Finished Tautline Hitch - Opposite View
Opposite view.

Finished Tautline Hitch
This picture shows the knot having been slid further up the standing part. Note that the rope had to move around the spool in order for this to occur.

[Top of Page]

Sliding Sheet Bend

The Sliding Sheet Bend is used for the same purpose as the Tautline Hitch, but with a quick yank of the end, it is completely untied. This is a boon for those wearing gloves or who have cold, numb fingers. Moreover, unlike the Tautline Hitch, the Sliding Sheet Bend can be "locked" in place to prevent it sliding. It can also be unlocked to make it adjustable again. This is one of the most useful knots I know, and I gladly give credit and much appreciation to Peter Suber, who came up with this knot and shared it with the world. Visit Dr. Suber's website for more knots like this.

Step 1
Wrap the end around the object it is to be secured to (a spool in this picture).

Step 2
Form a bight in the standing part, pointing away from the spool.

Step 3
Pull the end under the bight.

Step 4
Bring the end over the bight...

Step 5
...and form a loop.

Step 6
Now, form a bight in the end and stick it through the bight in the standing part.

Step 7
If you are tying this knot flat as pictured, it helps at this point to slide the bight in the end so that it is over the loop formed earlier.

Step 8
Pull on both ends of the bight in the standing part, removing the bight, so the standing part is straight as pictured. Keep the knot neat while doing this!

Finished Sliding Sheet Bend
Tighten the knot, so that the standing part forms a "hump" as it passes over the bight in the end. This is what creates the friction, and the friction can be adjusted by increasing or decreasing the hump (by tightening and loosening the knot).

Finished Sliding Sheet Bend
This picture shows the knot having been slid further up the standing part. Note that the rope had to move around the spool in order for this to occur (like the Tautline Hitch).

Locked Sliding Sheet Bend
Once you have adjusted the knot to your satisfaction, it can be locked by tightening the knot by pulling on the non-sliding parts of the knot. To unlock, loosen and flatten the knot, to reduce the hump. To untie, simply yank on the end.

[Top of Page]

Return to Index