Bushwalk Australia

I recently this learnt this knot after mentioning the I was going to get some of these niteize tensionser thingys I posted about earlier viewtopic.php?f=15&t=21064 to someone. They then showed me their version of a taut-line hitch.

I've looked through my knot references and it looks like a variation of a taut line hitch, but I can't find the same thing. Does anyone know what sort of knot this is called? and have you used it on guy lines/hammock tying etc?

I've been mucking around with it on paracord, and it seems to hold quite well, and adjusts for tension nicely.

Anyhoo, it goes something like this:

Steps:
1. Loop around the pole/tree/branch you are tying off against.
2. Bring the working end around and loop it three times around the standing end.
3. The fourth loop goes around both the standing and working end, and back through in the direction of the standing end.
4. Pull through to tighten. It should resemble a small fist holding the standing end.
5. Finish off the working end with an overhand knotso it doesn't slip and undo.
6. slide to take up slack.

I've found it doesn't slip and maintains tension when tightened. But is easy to undo, even with cold wet hands.

I'd probably describe it as a reef knot with an extra two twists on the base overhand knot.
Like a surgeons knot with one extra twist.

Not sure what it's called but looks to work in a similar way that a Prussik works.

At first glance it looks like a Tarbuck knot

Tis indeed a Tarbuck Knot and it does work a bit like like a Prusik, I have used a Rolling Hitch on Guy lines in the past which were easier to use on non synthetic ropes but I think I will now use the Tarbuck , many thanks for the info .

Hmmmm.. it does look a lot like the Tarbuck knot. But however, the finishing end of the Tarbuck goes away from the standing end, back towards the knot rather than the one I've shown which goes in the direction of the standing end.

This is the Tarbuck knot:


Trying out the Tarbuck, it functions a little differently. The Tarbuck knot seems to need the "dog leg" kink to grip the standing end, but this one does not. So the slide moves/slips more easily than it does on the knot I've shown. And at least in one guide I've read they don't recommend using the Tarbuck as a hitch around a rigid post to resist a lengthwise pull.

Anyway, while checking out some old Ray Meares videos on knots, I came across Survivorman - Les Stroud, and he does exactly the same knot I've shown above used for hitching his tarp. He just refers to it as a survival knot.

The video is here:


Still, whatever it's called, I've found it to be quite the handy knot to have in the brain box.

I like it. Thank you.

In the past, with coarser guy material than we use now, I have usually used something like a hangmans knot or some fishing knots, but have never been entirely satisfied with the performance result. This one looks like it will lock more securely, and I'll give it a try.

Thanks for chucking this up, I've been trying this out today and seeing what it is like Seems pretty close to an Adjustable Grip Hitch as well, info on which can be found here: http://www.southee.com/Knots/Knots_Hitches.htm

Definitely good to know another way of pitching an adjustable ridge line for a tarp.

Thanks for sharing. I normally just tie a loop and do a dirty version or a truckers hitch. This is much neater.