Purpose for This Knot Page
The concept behind this knot page is to teach a minimal number of knots that are enough to handle all the requirements we face in our diverse high adventure trips. Ten knots is all we need. Studying a knot book can be downright intimidating, with a bewildering number of knots. We provide a site that can be visited as often as needed so you can practice when you want, and find examples of where these knots are actually applied.

 Tying knots in itself is a fulfilling hobby and can become a lifetime study.  This knot page will not delve into these depths. Once you have a working knowledge of these ten knots, though, you may be drawn to pursue a deeper understanding of knots, their history and their applications.

General Comments:
You won't learn these knots all in one visit. Take your time. Repetition is required. Pick one or two knots and tie them over and over. Then come back another time and do it again. Then tie them without looking. Tie them with different sized cords and ropes, as each will feel different. Over time you will see progress.

Practice with different types of ropes. All knots do not work in all types of rope. The hardware store and the outdoor supply store have a wide variety. Some won't work well at all in a wilderness setting. Kern mantle rope (nylon braid core in a woven sheath), as sold in outdoor supply stores, is the most broadly useful for our Venturer activities, but is the most expensive. Nylon braid rope is cheaper, available in hardware stores, and works well in many applications, but can be slippery and contact with tree bark or rocks can snag it and pull at its fibers. Parachute cord is very versatile, too, and affordable. Experience will teach you what to use.

If you had only one knot to learn, make it the bowline. It's versatile, easy to untie and the rope retains most of its strength.

If you had one knot to avoid using, it's the square knot. It is not stable and the remaining strength of the rope is cut to only 45% of its original strength.

Disclaimer: Using knots for light duty can be very forgiving of errors. However, if the forces on the rope or cordage are significant, great care must be taken in selecting the right cordage or rope for the task, selecting the right knot, tying the knot, consideration of the environment the knot is exposed to, etc. Because of all these variables no responsibility is accepted for incidents arising from the use of this web site material.  Experience will lead you in the proper applications of knots.  Practice often. Learn from others. Be careful.