Main Page | See live article | Alphabetical index

Clove hitch

The clove hitch is a knot.

Table of contents
1 Canonical Name
2 Variant Names
3 Category
4 Origin
5 Related knots
6 Releasing
7 Efficiency
8 Caveat
9 Uses
10 Comments
11 Structure
12 Tying

Canonical Name

clove hitch.

Variant Names

None.

Category

binding

Origin

Ancient.

Related knots

constrictor knot

Releasing

Non-jamming.when tension is removed it is easy to undo the knot.

Efficiency

70%.

Caveat

Requires a load in each direction. The clove hitch should not be relied on with rope that is thin or very slippery.

Uses

Securing objects. Such as tying a load on a trailer or truck as a means of reliably securing one end of the rope, especially when used in combination with a sheepshank to ensure tension is maintained. The clove hitch is the starting knot in most lashing knots.

Comments

Can be pre-formed in the middle of the rope, then slid over the end of a post.

Structure

Formed from two half hitches around a rail or post where one is reversed or opposed to the other. This opposition causes the knot to grip against itself when tension is applied.

Tying

article/pictures