A bend knot is designed to join two ropes together. This is a continuation of the knots that were presented in Common Knots. This is a more comprehensive compilation of joining knots. Most of these bends are a little more complex to tie but are well worth the effort to learn.

ALPINE BUTTERFLY BEND

It doesn't matter which way you pass the second end of rope through the loop in the first end of rope, and it doesn't matter if you curve the two ends of rope upwards or downwards, and it doesn't matter if you cross the two ends of rope on top of themselves or behind themselves. The only thing that matters is that the two ends of rope form interlocked loops which are mirror-images of each other (just like the wings of a butterfly are mirror-images of each other!), and that they both pass through the center of the knot together (i.e. in the same direction). This makes the Alpine Butterfly Bend very easy to remember how to tie properly.

In use the Alpine Butterfly can be pulled in two or three directions at once without distorting or capsizing, and that you can isolate a damaged section of rope by tying an Alpine Butterfly around it, both of which indicate that the Alpine Butterfly Bend is strong and secure.

Note: Designed for ropes of similar size (diameter).

Here are 2 methods for tying this knot:

METHOD #1:

To tie this knot, make a loop in the end of rope which is coming in from the left, making sure that the end curves upward and crosses over on top of the main part of the rope.

In image 1, the end of rope coming in from the right passes under and then through the loop from behind, then it curves upward to form a loop with the end crossing over on top of the main part of the rope. Notice that the two loops are essentially mirror-images of each other in image 1.

IMAGE 1

Bring both ends of rope through the center of the knot (where the two loops overlap each other) from behind (image 2). Notice in image 2 that the two ends of rope are passing through the center of the knot from the same direction (i.e. from behind).

IMAGE 2

Dress and set the knot (image 3).

IMAGE 3

METHOD #2:

This method makes it easy to remember how to tie the loop or the bend whenever you need them. Start by wrapping one end of rope once around your hand (strand #1 in image 1 below) so that the end of the rope comes up from the bottom (as part of strand #2 in image 1). In reality you would hold the end of rope against your palm with your thumb, unlike in the images. Then overlap the other end of rope with the first end of rope (as part of strand #2 in image 1), holding both ends with your thumb, and wrap the rope around your hand so that you essentially have three strands of rope laying on the palm of your hand (image 1 below).

IMAGE 1

Grab the left-most strand (#1 in image 1) and bring it all the way to the right over the other two strands (images 1 and 2).

IMAGE 2

Once again grab the left-most "strand" (i.e. the two overlapped ends) (#2 in image 3) and bring the ends all the way to the right over the other two strands (images 3 and 4).

IMAGE 3


IMAGE 4

After bringing the overlapped ends over the other two strands, push them back to the left under the other two strands (image 5). The dressed knot should look like image 3 in Method 1 above.

IMAGE 5

Note: Designed for ropes of similar size (diameter).

Top of Page

CARRICK BEND

The Carrick Bend has been called a nearly perfect bend.

To tie this knot, first make a loop in one end of rope (which is coming down from above in image 1), making sure that the end of the rope passes under the main part of the rope. Then bring the second end of rope completely under the loop (image 1).

IMAGE 1

Pass the second end of rope over the main part of the first end of rope, then under the first end of rope (image 2).

IMAGE 2

Now thread the second end of rope over, under, then over as in image 3. Inspect the second end of rope very carefully to make sure that it exactly alternates between going under and going over as it threads its way through the knot.

IMAGE 3

Dress and set the knot (image 3).

IMAGE 4

Note: Designed for ropes of similar size (diameter).

Top of Page

HUNTER'S BEND OR RIGGER'S BEND

The Hunter's bend (or Rigger's bend) is a knot used to join two lines. It consists of interlocking overhand knots, and can jam under moderate strain. It is topologically similar to the Zeppelin bend.

To tie this knot, make a loop in the end of rope which is coming in from the left, making sure that the end curves upward and crosses over on top of the main part of the rope. The end of rope coming in from the right should pass over and then through the loop from the front, then it should curve upward and form a loop with the end crossing behind the main part of the rope (image 1).

IMAGE 1

Notice that the two loops are not mirror-images of each other in image 1.

Bring the end of rope on the left through the center of the knot (where the two loops overlap each other) from behind (image 2), then bring the end of rope on the right through the center of the knot from the front (image 3).

IMAGE 2


IMAGE 3

Dress and set the knot (image 3).

IMAGE 4

Note: Designed for ropes of similar size (diameter).

Top of Page

ZEPPELIN BEND OR ROSENDAHL'S BEND

A Zeppelin bend is an excellent all purpose bend knot: it is a secure, easily tied, and jam-proof way to connect two ropes. Though its simplicity and security are matched by other bends, it is unique in the ease with which it is untied, even after heavy loading. It is also referred to as a "Rosendahl's bend", both names stemming from its use to moor airships.

To tie this knot, make a loop in the end of rope which is coming in from the left, making sure that the end curves upward and crosses over on top of the main part of the rope. The end of rope coming in from the right should form a loop with the end curving down and crossing behind the main part of the rope (image 1).

IMAGE 1

Notice that the two loops are not mirror-images of each other in image 1, and notice that the end of rope coming in from the right does not pass through the loop on the left.

Place the loop on the left on top of the loop on the right (image 2).

IMAGE 2

Then bring the end of rope on the left through the center of the knot from behind (image 3).

IMAGE 3

Then bring the end of rope on the right through the center of the knot from the front (image 4). Notice in image 4 that the two ends of rope are passing through the center of the knot from different directions (one from behind and one from the front).

IMAGE 4

Dress and set the knot (image 5).

IMAGE 5

Note: Designed for ropes of similar size (diameter).

Top of Page