To finish a bandage or reefing a sail, a reef knot the role will fulfill, but for tieing two ends, you must always use bends, as a reef knots a sure way to kill!
Yep, this knot seems to have a good reputation, yet it has been often proven otherwise. I think I only ever use this knot when tying off sailmaker's whipping.
Johnny Debt don't get me wrong about the reef knot, it's a great knot when used correctly. It is when used incorrectly used that it becomes hazardous. Using it for reefing is perfect, it stays secured when bound around an object and to undo it you simply give the uppermost working end a firm tug and it will capsize into a Larks Head and the weight of canvas pulls the reefing pennants apart. Of course, if you've used a reef knot as a bend the risk of this happening is what makes it dangerous as a bend. You might be interested to know that the Greeks and Romans knew it as a Hercules knot.
A very long time ago I was taught this knot in The Cubs and was told it was used for joining two ropes of equal diameter and the sheet bend was for joining two ropes of unequal diameter. Akela must be right, I got my badge so I used it for *ahem* years. An illustrative anecdote of how wrong that information from all those years ago was wrong: A couple of years ago I had to do a job in the roof of our building that involved letting a rope down either side of the roof to the floor. The 25m rope wasn't long enough, so I tied our two 25m (static) ropes together with a Reef knot. Whilst getting it into position I had to haul the rope across the roof and it caught on an 'I' beam. I tried giving it a yank, another yank and to my horror watched as I pulled the knot apart. There was no load on the rope, so it was just the rope that dropped to the floor. Phew. I got the bloke that brought the rope back up into the roof to work one side of the building, whilst I worked the other. Besides getting a 50m rope :) What do you suggest I use in future to join two ropes? Loving the tutorials & I've got various bit of string & rope scattered around my computer chair as I follow the tutorials.
Thanks for taking the time to share this information, I always love to hear about knots being used! One knot that I do like for joining two ropes is the Alpine Butterfly Bend: ruclips.net/video/h0NlB1xf-DA/видео.html it is tied in the same way as the Alpine Butterfly Loop: ruclips.net/video/03Hj6rOoY8s/видео.html These two are used by climbers, so if they trust its security then I can only assume that it is exceptionally good.
hi Johnny, You forgot the best use for this knot. It is perfect for securing the bit of sail that is removed when "reefing" the sail in strong winds. An old sailor I knew once told me that this is a fine knot for this purpose but, NO other. This, he also pointed out, is why the whole world calls it the reef knot with the exception of the Americans, who "for no adequately explored reason call it a square knot". Before the hate, I am an American and don't know why we insist on calling it a square knot. It's not really square and was originally used to reef sails. Still, in the Boy Scouts, that's the name we were taught. Oh well, we are the only ones who play "soccer" too, so, what can you do? :~)
I really did um and argh over this knot. Only because everyone learns this knot. But having looked it up on Ashley's I thought it deserved a mention for the reasons stated. Thanks again for leaving a comment.
This knot should only be tied in the two ends of the same bit of cord and never in two bits of cord as you have shown in fact this is two overhand knots one tied clockwise and one tied anticlockwise and then pull one over the other which makes a larks head which you turn into your reef knot in fact you can make a right hand reef knot turn in to a left hand reef knot with out undoing the knot depending on which overhand knot you pull over the other one
it is the midst of the coronavirus pandemic and my building requires all newspapers and magazines for disposal to be either tied or placed in paper bags. i will be 78 tomorrow and thus definitely am in the "elderly" category, which means i cannot leave my apartment. my paper bag supply is extremely limited, so i decided to learn to tie the best knot for my papers. i think i have listened to all the youtube videos on this knot and yours is one of the most clear. thank you.
Thanks for taking the time to view and also make a comment, very much appreciated. Well, I never thought that my videos would help people through difficult times. Stay safe and wishing you all the best.
You are not wrong, often stopper knots are used to prevent the knot collapsing completely. If you look at the butchers knot ruclips.net/video/fOWue9PhSBQ/видео.html this is a classic example of how the knot stops it all coming undone.
Hi Johnny, As usual another Great Video tutorial. Also Many Thanks for letting us know about where not to use the reef knot. Good Advice for all us potential knotters. Keep up the Good work. Best Wishes for A Happy Healthy New Year.
Thank you so much for your kind words and a very happy New Year to you too. Yes, it would seem that this knot is well taught, but never a mention of the dangers with this knot?
Hi Johnny, Many Thanks for your prompt reply. Just a thought went through my mind As you have highlighted possible disadvantages using the Reef Knot. It might be a good idea when doing tutorials on other knots in the future to mention Advantages and Disadvantages when tying certain knots for certain usages. I find your tutorials really great for learning and are also entertaining as well as useful. Carry On the Good Work. I would add that by following your tutorial I got a complete scout cub group to make their own woggles. Which was a really good and satisfying project. Kindest Regards Michael
![How to Tie The Bowline Knot - [For VISUAL Learners]](/img/1.gif)
More Practical knots: ruclips.net/p/PL7nysDkNnZHe2oSlsp9YE8uIALHzFizW7
To finish a bandage or reefing a sail, a reef knot the role will fulfill, but for tieing two ends, you must always use bends, as a reef knots a sure way to kill!
Yep, this knot seems to have a good reputation, yet it has been often proven otherwise. I think I only ever use this knot when tying off sailmaker's whipping.
Johnny Debt don't get me wrong about the reef knot, it's a great knot when used correctly. It is when used incorrectly used that it becomes hazardous.
Using it for reefing is perfect, it stays secured when bound around an object and to undo it you simply give the uppermost working end a firm tug and it will capsize into a Larks Head and the weight of canvas pulls the reefing pennants apart. Of course, if you've used a reef knot as a bend the risk of this happening is what makes it dangerous as a bend.
You might be interested to know that the Greeks and Romans knew it as a Hercules knot.
A very long time ago I was taught this knot in The Cubs and was told it was used for joining two ropes of equal diameter and the sheet bend was for joining two ropes of unequal diameter. Akela must be right, I got my badge so I used it for *ahem* years.
An illustrative anecdote of how wrong that information from all those years ago was wrong:
A couple of years ago I had to do a job in the roof of our building that involved letting a rope down either side of the roof to the floor. The 25m rope wasn't long enough, so I tied our two 25m (static) ropes together with a Reef knot.
Whilst getting it into position I had to haul the rope across the roof and it caught on an 'I' beam. I tried giving it a yank, another yank and to my horror watched as I pulled the knot apart. There was no load on the rope, so it was just the rope that dropped to the floor. Phew.
I got the bloke that brought the rope back up into the roof to work one side of the building, whilst I worked the other.
Besides getting a 50m rope :) What do you suggest I use in future to join two ropes?
Loving the tutorials & I've got various bit of string & rope scattered around my computer chair as I follow the tutorials.
Thanks for taking the time to share this information, I always love to hear about knots being used! One knot that I do like for joining two ropes is the Alpine Butterfly Bend: ruclips.net/video/h0NlB1xf-DA/видео.html it is tied in the same way as the Alpine Butterfly Loop: ruclips.net/video/03Hj6rOoY8s/видео.html These two are used by climbers, so if they trust its security then I can only assume that it is exceptionally good.
hi Johnny, You forgot the best use for this knot. It is perfect for securing the bit of sail that is removed when "reefing" the sail in strong winds. An old sailor I knew once told me that this is a fine knot for this purpose but, NO other. This, he also pointed out, is why the whole world calls it the reef knot with the exception of the Americans, who "for no adequately explored reason call it a square knot". Before the hate, I am an American and don't know why we insist on calling it a square knot. It's not really square and was originally used to reef sails. Still, in the Boy Scouts, that's the name we were taught. Oh well, we are the only ones who play "soccer" too, so, what can you do? :~)
I think Australians play soccer too.
Everybody knows this knot, but not everybody knows how dangerous it can be!
A good knot to include simply because it's so widely known-and widely misused. Keep up the good work. Thank you for your time and trouble.
I really did um and argh over this knot. Only because everyone learns this knot. But having looked it up on Ashley's I thought it deserved a mention for the reasons stated. Thanks again for leaving a comment.
This knot should only be tied in the two ends of the same bit of cord and never in two bits of cord as you have shown in fact this is two overhand knots one tied clockwise and one tied anticlockwise and then pull one over the other which makes a larks head which you turn into your reef knot in fact you can make a right hand reef knot turn in to a left hand reef knot with out undoing the knot depending on which overhand knot you pull over the other one
it is the midst of the coronavirus pandemic and my building requires all newspapers and magazines for disposal to be either tied or placed in paper bags. i will be 78 tomorrow and thus definitely am in the "elderly" category, which means i cannot leave my apartment. my paper bag supply is extremely limited, so i decided to learn to tie the best knot for my papers. i think i have listened to all the youtube videos on this knot and yours is one of the most clear. thank you.
Thanks for taking the time to view and also make a comment, very much appreciated. Well, I never thought that my videos would help people through difficult times. Stay safe and wishing you all the best.
Love your videos.. can I buy some from you
........... but they are here for free Ken? Thanks for taking the time to view and also make a comment, very much appreciated.
Eu conheço como: nó direito. Gostei da explicação (Like 3). Uso muito. Parabéns. Valeu pela dica.
Thanks this is very important for me
That's great....
Thanks for taking the time to view and also make a comment, very much appreciated.
maybe I am knot to bright but what if you put and over hand knot at the working end and made it like a jam knot if it would improve it..... not sure ?
You are not wrong, often stopper knots are used to prevent the knot collapsing completely. If you look at the butchers knot ruclips.net/video/fOWue9PhSBQ/видео.html this is a classic example of how the knot stops it all coming undone.
Hi Johnny, As usual another Great Video tutorial. Also Many Thanks for letting us know about where not to use the reef knot. Good Advice for all us potential knotters. Keep up the Good work. Best Wishes for A Happy Healthy New Year.
Thank you so much for your kind words and a very happy New Year to you too. Yes, it would seem that this knot is well taught, but never a mention of the dangers with this knot?
Hi Johnny, Many Thanks for your prompt reply. Just a thought went through my mind As you have highlighted possible disadvantages using the Reef Knot. It might be a good idea when doing tutorials on other knots in the future to mention Advantages and Disadvantages when tying certain knots for certain usages. I find your tutorials really great for learning and are also entertaining as well as useful. Carry On the Good Work. I would add that by following your tutorial I got a complete scout cub group to make their own woggles. Which was a really good and satisfying project. Kindest Regards Michael