Your Field Guide to Knot Tying

Last month, we shared what hazards you should avoid that could damage your silicone ring and express the importance of avoiding things like volcanos, cliff diving, bears and sharks, alien encounters, and zombie apocalypses. We also understand that our customers are go-getters, explorers, adventure seekers, and tactical warriors, and that you stopped listening to mom’s life lessons long ago.

It’s better to evade danger than to avoid adventure. That’s how we live. 

We live with the tools we are given. That is why we are extending our knot tying guide to help give you some more tools for survival on your next adventure.

The Nail Knot 

Imagine being lost in the wilderness and in need of grub. The only thing you have is twine or a fly line. The nail knot is a quick way to tie two lines together, is typically used to secure fishing lines, and is highly secure, versatile, and compact. Although it’s used to catch fish, it has also been used in climbing to temporarily connect rope to a pulley. Learn how to tie a nail knot.

The Blood Knot

Yes, it sounds cool. The blood knot (also known as the less cool barrel knot) is a welcome friend of the fly fishermen. As a knot that bends, it’s used for its durability. Other than its use for fishing, the blood knot can be used to lasso a tree branch while in a tree stand or to secure a camping tent - basically any time you need to join two lines of a similar size. Learn how to tie a blood knot.

The Improved Clinch Knot

The clinch knot, improved clinch knot, and fisherman’s knot are essentially the same, and are used to tie line to a hook, snap swivel, or lure. It’s quick to learn and easy to tie. Use it to fish, bind two tools, or make crafts. Not boondoggle-like crafts, snag-dinner type of crafts. Learn how to tie a clinch knot.

The Bowline Knot

This is an essential one. Yes Navy nerds, it’s a quick and easy way to secure a bow of a boat to a ring or post. But we all know there are so many times we want to have a loop that doesn’t cinch or bind and obeys what we want it to do. Use it when carrying gear, rappelling down steep slopes, hanging food away from hungry critters, etc. - essentially any situation where you need a knot to hold a load. Learn how to tie a bowline knot.

The Marlinspike Hitch

The marlinspike hitch is simple to tie and leads you into four other knots (the noose, oysterman’s stopper, bowline, and twin bowline bend), so it may be the only knot you’ll ever need. Use it to put a temporary handle into a rope, i.e. to construct a ladder.

The Love Knot

The love knot is unquestionably the most important and difficult knot to tie. We’re a fan of the single-knee approach whether you’re in survival mode on a large-screen at a stadium, sipping champagne at a five-star restaurant, or waiting nervously for the plane to fly overhead with the banner. We will admit, once that love knot is tied, our advice ends there - that’s risky territory. However, we highly recommend supplementing the love knot with one of our silicone wedding rings, because after all, your safety and survival is our main concern.

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