About Half-Hitch Knots

Half hitch knots come in several varieties and each knot depends on how many half-hitches you use and in what sequence you apply them. Their function varies with each hitch that you add, so it is very important to understand how these knots work. Once you understand and are able to use these basic knots, your ability to properly hitch gear or set up a tent or a sailboat will be greatly enhanced.

Basic Unit

A half-hitch is the unit of the half-hitch knot. This may sound like redundancy, but in order to explain half-hitch knots, it is necessary to describe one half hitch. Simply put, a half-hitch is an overhand knot tied around a strand of rope, sometimes called a bight. One half hitch by itself is not of much use, but when added together to form a series of hitches, they become important elements in a very useful knot. The first half hitch is tied just like an overhand knot and then the second and third half hitch can be correctly described as an overhand knot tied around a bight or a strand of rope.

Types

Half hitch knots usually contain two or three half hitches. Of the handful of knots that are made in this manner, there are two that stand out for usefulness. One is called the two half hitches and the other is called the taut line hitch. Both knots are started with an overhand knot. Instead of tightening the knot to form a tight ball, hold the loop in one hand and the loose end with your other hand. Make two hitches in sequence; you now have a two half hitch knot. This is a knot that will slide until it closes around a small object. On the other hand, the taut line, which contains three half hitches, should be tied in just the right sequence in order to make the knot work. When properly tied, the taut line hitch will stay taut and not slip until it is slack or untied. To tie a taut line, make an overhand knot and keep the loose end at a 90-degree angle to the main strand of loop. This will be the middle hitch. Now inside the first overhand, tie a second similar knot. This will be a loop rather than an actual overhand, but the last loop goes on the outside of the first two loops and it will be a true overhand knot. This knot will not slide as long as it has tension, plus it can be adjusted.

Function

The function of two half hitches is to wrap the knot loosely around an object, such as a pole or tree branch and then pull it tight until there is no space between the knot and the pole. If tied correctly (it is hard not to tie this knot correctly) the two half hitches will stay in place and it will not slip.

Features

The taut line has just the opposite function of the two half hitches. It is meant not to slide, as long as it is taut. As a result this knot is good for lashing down gear or securing a tent to a tent peg or a tree. If tied correctly it can be adjusted when in the slack position, but will not slide when there is pressure exerted outwards from each end. The taut- line is one of the most useful knots there is, and even when the hitches are made out of sequence, the knot will still function satisfactory. Once this knot is correctly learned in can be applied to many different tasks.

Considerations

These two knots are definitely the most useful of the half hitches, but there are still several other knots that use this basic element. Some of the names include the clove hitch, the bunting knot and the lobster buoy knot. The clove hitch is made by sliding two overhand knots over a round post or log in reverse order, while the other two knots are tied on a bight or a line in a similar manner to the taut-line hitch. These knots are especially important to sailors, fisherman and campers, who would be well-advised to learn the art of knot-tying.