Knots – Round Turn and Two Half Hitches Friday, May 6 2011 

About Scouting and camping and challenges and management and other stuff , , , , , bootscraper 9:00 pm

The last of the knots for now, this is often referred to as the “washing line knot”, although it is useful for many things, including tiying boats to moorings.  This is a slip knot, so as pressure is applied to the line, it will tighten the knot up.

 

Going through the knot is essentially in two parts – the round turn and the half hitches.

 

 

So the Round Turn is exactly what it says on the tin – it goes all the way round the pole.

The two half hitches are simple overhand hitches on the long length of the pole – do one, then the next.

 

 

Knots – Sheepshank Friday, Apr 29 2011 

About Scouting and camping and management and other stuff , bootscraper 9:00 pm

This is another nautical knot (The “sheep” part I think may have once been “sheet”).  This knot is used for shortening a rope and only works when under strain.  Typically, I’ve used it to neaten up guylines on Patrol Tents so that they are all in a neat line, but it can also be used if you have an old rope that has some fraying or weakness.  However – this should not be used on a climbing rope – if the rope is damaged, it shouldn’t be used.

 

So we start by making an “S”.  If we are looking to strengthen a weak rope, put the weak bit in the centre of the “S”.  Next, at one end, make a loop and poke the loop through it.  Do the same on the other side.  When you pull the line tight, these little loops will bite into the “S” loops and hold them.

 

A small tip is to make sure that you put a fair amount of “S” loop through the little loop.  That way, if the ropes are shook the knot won’t just collapse immediately.

[image – “S”][Image – loop][image – tucked][image – knot]

 

 

Knots – the Bowline Friday, Apr 22 2011 

About Scouting and camping and challenges and management and other stuff , , , , , , bootscraper 9:00 pm

The Bowline is a useful “non-slip” knot – that is, unlike many other knots it doesn’t untie when weight is applied, or more importantly, the loop does not shrink.  Although climbing knots (and kit) have come on a long way, this was the original “safety knot”.  In my opinion, the only reason that it was changed to a different knot is due to the complexity of remembering the steps – but if you know what to look for, it isn’t that complicated.

The knack to this knot is to remember the story: a fierce dragon lives in a cave in front of a magic tree, which it is very protective of. Every day, the dragon wakes, leaves the cave, walks round the tree (to make sure it’s there and no-one’s going to steal it) then goes back into the cave.

The clever bit to the story is the opening bit – the tree and the cave.  When we make the loop, the “Tree” (which is the long bit going away from us) has to be behind the cave – not in it.  That gives us our opening small loop for the knot.  Our “dragon” (the other end of the rope), goes round us (assuming we are using it as a safety line), or makes the big standing loop, then comes out from the cave (the hole) round the tree (I would suggest going anti-clockwise) then back.  The lines are pulled tight and the knot is firm.

 

Knots – Sheet bend, Double Sheet Bend Friday, Apr 15 2011 

About Scouting and camping and challenges and management and other stuff , , , , bootscraper 9:00 pm

This week, we’ll look at using knots for ropes that aren’t the same thickness.  This is typically useful for throwing heavy ropes – rather than heaving a heavy rope, you throw a lightweight rope and fix one end to the heavy rope.  The knot will not untie, so you can pull the heavy rope.  It’s called a Sheet bend because it’s a nautical knot and traditionally aboard sailing ships certain ropes were called Sheets (and before you ask, the big expanses of canvas have ALWAYS been called Sails!)

 

For demonstration purposes I’ll use a thick rope – but one that can be bent in half (it’s just easier to demonstrate).  You’ll see that the thick rope doesn’t really do much, but sit there.

 

Bend the thick rope to create a “U” shape.  With the thin rope, come up from behind the bottom of the “U” and cross it over the LEFT “upright”.  Then, pass the thin rope round the back and over the RIGHT “upright”. Then cross the thin rope under the thin rope and over the thick rope.  Pull tight.

The advanced version of this knot is the Double Sheet bend.  This starts the same as the normal Sheet Bend. Instead of just tucking down, you go round the U bend

 

 

 

Knots – Clove Hitch, Reef Knot Friday, Apr 8 2011 

About Scouting and camping and challenges and management and other stuff , , , , , , bootscraper 9:00 pm

For the next few weeks, we will focus on the basic knots that should be a base for all Scout knowledge.  The first knot will be the Clove Hitch.  This is used as a starter knot to “hold” a rope to a pole.  It doesn’t have any real strength to it, but because it’ll hold the rope it is used for the start of the Square Lashing.

Start with the rope OVER the pole.  Wrap round behind the pole and come round on the LEFT of the rope.  Cross over the rope and wrap round again.  As you bring the rope back up, TUCK IT UNDER the rope on the RIGHT side, and pull tight.

 

 

The Reef Knot is another simple knot, but which is key in the Scout knot tying arsenal.  This knot will hold firm – but is also a “flat” knot, so is great for tying bandages as the knot will lie on the body (a knot that is more round will be uncomfortable).  It can be used for tying two knots together of EQUAL thickness.

 

The simple phrase for remembering the Reef Knot is “Left over Right, Right over Left”.  So the steps for tying this knot are as follows:

 

Take an end of the left hand rope and lay it over the right rope. Bring the “Left hand rope” under and round so the end is now on the right side. Then using this same end, cross it over the (now) left rope and loop round.  When you pull the knot tight it should be a flat, symmetrical knot.

 

[image – left over right][image – left under and round][image – right over left] [image – right under and round]

Image – completed knot]

 

 

TLW Challenge – International Talk like a Pirate Day Saturday, Sep 18 2010 

challenges and programme and TLW , , , , , bootscraper 12:31 am

 

On September 19th is International Talk like a Pirate Day!  So, ye scurvy dogs, here be the first part of the Two Left Welly Challenge for yarr.  You’ll need to practice ready for mustering at the Troop Meeting!

How fast can you tie a Round Turn and Two Half Hitches? 

For you Cabin Boys who have no idea what one looks like…  http://www.animatedknots.com/roundturn/index.php

 The Second part of the TLW Challenge is to test your navigation round these web waters.  Find the Troop Programme – print it out (or hand write it if you’re printer’s been eaten by the ship’s cat) and present it for the inspection next Friday!

Oh yarr!

 

TLW Challenge – w/c 7th June Friday, Jun 4 2010 

challenges and programme , , , , , , , bootscraper 9:00 pm

As our next meeting will be a Challenge and obstacle evening, I think we should get back to Scouting basics.  To that end, you will need to be able to demonstrate:

1.  A reef Knot

2.  A round turn and 2 half-hitches

3. A Fisherman’s knot

And for additional Frog Bonus Points!  you should demonstrate the Sheepshank knot.

You will find the following links useful:

http://www.tollesburysc.co.uk/Knots/Knots_gallery.htm (for Reef, Sheet bend, Bowline, SheepShank, Clove hitch, Fisherman’s knot)

(note that they call it the Angler’s Knot)

http://www.animatedknots.com/roundturnhousehold/index.php?LogoImage=LogoGrog.jpg&Website=www.animatedknots.com (Round turn & 2 half hitches)

Good luck!

 

TLW Challenge – Week starting 6 July Monday, Jul 6 2009 

challenges and programme and special message , , bootscraper 1:33 pm

The Challenge this week is to present either a printout or a note of how to tie a Square Lashing.

 The link below will take you to an information web page on Square Lashings, but you should be able to find it on the Scout information cards also.

 This week, just to reinforce the challenge, anyone that just “tells” the leader (i.e. doesn’t present a piece of paper with the notes on) will LOSE points.

 As additional home work / revision, we will also be making Tripods – so you may want to check that lashing as well.

http://www.artworkbygerry.com/Lashings/squarelashing.html

 

The Knotting Checklist for the Entertainers Badge… Saturday, Jan 31 2009 

challenges and events , , , , , , , , , , , bootscraper 12:03 am

Below are the list of knots and the Scouts that have been picked to teach them to the Cubs:

1.  Reef Knot – Luke (with Jack)

2. Sheet Bend – Callum (with Alistair)

3. Round Turn and two half hitches – Matthew (with Devash)

4. Bowline – Joshua (with Oskar)

5. Friendship knot (cross knot) -Rory (with Anand)

6. Sheep Shank – Tom (with Sam)

7. Highwayman’s hitch – Jamie (with Joshua)

8. Clove Hitch – Anand (with Jordy)

9. Timber hitch – Vishan (with Rory)

10. Square Lashing – Jordy (with Tom)

Recognising that practice may be required, you may want to head onto these sites for instructions on how to tie the knots:

http://www.tollesburysc.co.uk/Knots/Knots_gallery.htm (for Reef, Sheet bend, Bowline, SheepShank, Clove hitch)

http://whatknot.tripod.com/knots/10knot.htm (for Friendship knot)

http://www.animatedknots.com/roundturnhousehold/index.php?LogoImage=LogoGrog.jpg&Website=www.animatedknots.com (Round turn & 2 half hitches)

http://www.animatedknots.com/timber/index.php?LogoImage=LogoGrog.jpg&Website=www.animatedknots.com (Timber Hitch)

http://www.thepirateking.com/knots/knot_hitch_highwaymans.htm (Highwayman’s hitch)

http://www.artworkbygerry.com/Lashings/squarelashing.html (Square lashing)

I should point out that there are hundreds of websites out there that have video, text etc on how to tie these knots.  Some are better than others.  These were found after a quick trawl; they are not my websites so I cannot guarantee that they will always be there.

 

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