Highwayman's hitch

Highwayman's hitch
A Highwayman's hitch tied around a wooden pole
NamesHighwayman's hitch, Highwayman's hitch, draw hitch, Highwayman’s cutaway, Bank Robbers Knot, Getaway hitch or Quick-release knot
CategoryHitch
RelatedTumble hitch, Mooring Hitch
ReleasingNon-jamming
Typical useQuick-release, draw loop hitch
CaveatPotentially unstable, especially when tied around large objects

The Highwayman’s hitch is a quick-release draw hitch used for temporarily securing a load that will need to be released easily and cleanly.[1] The hitch can be untied with a tug of the working end, even when under tension. The highwayman's hitch can be tied in the middle of a rope, and so the working end does not need to be passed around the anchor when tying or releasing.[2]

  1. ^ Budworth, Geoffrey (1997), The Complete Book of Knots, London: Octopus, p. 73
  2. ^ Day, Cyrus Lawrence (1947), The Art of Knotting and Splicing (1st ed.), New York: Dodd, Mead &Co., pp. 114–115