| Sailor's hitch | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Category | Hitch |
| Releasing | Non-jamming |
The sailor's hitch is a secure, jam-proof hitch knot.[1] A hitch knot is a type of knot that has the ability to fit to the size and shape of an object that it is being tied to.[2]
The sailor's hitch is similar in function and appearance to the swing hitch.
The sailor's hitch can be used in such a way that allows a smaller rope to be attached to a large rope. The smaller rope should be pulled to the left while the bight should go through the final tuck to form the final product of a sailor's hitch.
This knot can also serve the purpose of a cleat hitch.
There is another variation of the knot with several more turns that is called the gripping sailor's hitch.[3] The gripping sailor's hitch is commonly confused with the icicle hitch, but it has distinctions with the last tuck of the knot that allows them to be different.[4]
The sailor's knot is used in the following circumstances:
- search and rescue
- mountaineering
- climbing
- boating
- horse and livestock
- camping
- scouting[1]
- ^ a b "Sailors Hitch Useful knot". Advameg, Inc. lovetheoutdoors.com. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
- ^ "The Most Useful Rope Knots for the Average Person to Know". Southee. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
- ^ "Sailor's Hitch". Notable Knot Index. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
- ^ "Sailor's GH, Icicle Hitch Confusion". International Guild of Knot Tyers Forum. Retrieved 24 March 2013.