How to Tie a Buntline Knot

Learning to tie knots is not just necessary for a Boy Scout badge. You can use a buntline knot when you want to secure something, even if the rope will move around a lot. It is a very secure knot. The name comes from sailors using the knot to secure square-sailed ships to the bunt, which is the middle part of a sail. Read on to see how to tie a buntline knot.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Rope and 2 objects to tie together

1. Take one end of the rope (end A), and put it underneath the object, such as the bunt. Then pull end A through, so the two ends (A and B) are together and make a loop around the object. The object is in the middle of the rope.

2. Put end A under the length of rope attached to end B (about halfway between the object and end B).

3. Pull end A over the length of rope attached to end B. You are making another loop as you did in Step 1, except this time the length of rope attached to end B is in the middle of the loop. You have formed a half-hitch.

4. Take end A and put it back underneath the half-hitch. You are going UNDER the half-hitch you just made, just like you went under in Step 1 and under in Step 2. End A actually goes under the first loop you made (attached to the object) to tie a buntline knot.

5. Put end A on top of the half-hitch, and push it through the middle of the half-hitch to form like a figure-eight.

6. Pull end A all the way through the half-hitch. To tighten the knot on the object, pull on end A and end B at the same time. Then you have tied a secure buntline knot.

Tips & Warnings

• This knot is also called a buntline hitch.