Knots, Bends , Hitches , Splices and Seizings are all ways of fastening together the parts of one or more ropes or for attaching a rope to some object such as a ring or spar.
Bends and a hitches are ways of fastening ropes to one another or to spars. A splice is made by untwisting two rope ends and weaving them together. A seizing is made by fastening together two spars, two ropes, or two parts of the same rope by means of an additional rope.
Contents:
Knots
Overhand Knot - Used to make a knob on a rope, or as the commencement of another knot.
Figure of Eight - Used as a stop knot, turned in the end of a sheet. Does not jam like the overhand.
Reef Knot - A common and well known knot used for joining two ropes of equal diameter. Will slip under strain applied to the two standing parts.
Thief Knot (Fools Knot) - Will slip under the slightest strain. Traditionally used to detect unauthorised entry to a sailors kit bag.
Bowline - A useful and common knot which forms a loop that can not slip.
Running Bowline - Makes a temporary running noose.
Bowline on a Bight - Used to make a a pair of fixed-size loops in a line. Can be used to make an emergency bowswain's chair.
Fisherman's Knot - Used for joining two ropes of unequal diameters. Will not slip under strain.
Surgeons Knot - Used in tying a ligature around a cut artery.
Wall Knot - Knot worked in the end of a rope
Hitches
Sheepshank - Used for temporarily shortening a rope
Blackwall Hitch - Used for hooking tackle on to the end of a rope
Clove Hitch - Useful as a temporary mooring, tied around a spar or post or as the start of a lashing. Tends to slip when turned but can be secured using two half hitches.
Round Turn and Two Half Hitches - Can be used to form the start of a square lashing since it will not slip like the clove hitch.
Highwayman's Hitch - A quick-release knot traditionally used for securing a horse to a horizontal spar. Will not slip under strain or rotation.
Timber Hitch - Used for when hoisting or dragging a spar.
Rolling Hitch - Used to attach a line to a spar or another rope such that the hitch grips it.
Marlinespike Hitch - Traditionally used for securing a marlinespike-a pointed metal spike- to the mid-line of a rope.
Buntline Hitch - Used to secure a rope to a towing eye or bullring.
Anchor Hitch - Used to secure a warp to an anchor or ring.
Bends
Sheet Bend - Used for joining two ropes of similar diameter. Commonly used in the 'bending' of flags.
Double Sheet Bend - A stronger version of the sheet bend
Carrick Bend - Used for bending hawsers together.
Reeving Line Bend - Useful if two lines are to be fed through a small pipe.
Cat's Paw - Used to secure to a hook for hoisting.
Studding Sail Tack Bend - Will not come undone by the flapping of the sail.
Splices
Short Splice - Used to join two pieces of identicle 3-strand rope
Long Splice - Used when shrouds or stays are broken. "Splice the Main Brace!"
Eye Splice - Used for making a permanent eye in 3-strand rope
Sailmaker's Eye Splice - Used in the roping of sails
Chain Splice - Used for splicing a rope to a chain
Shroud Knot - Used for repairing broken rigging etc.
Seizings
Whippings
Common Whipping - Can be made anywhere on a length of rope. Normally used to secure an eye splice or to protect the bitter end of a rope from chafe.
Sailmaker's Whipping- Used to protect the end of a rope (usually natural fibre) from chafe. Can only be used on stranded rope.
