Quick Answer
Thicker, more textured natural cordage materials like bark fibers, plant sinew, and rawhide work best with knots that provide a secure bite, such as the bowline, sheet bend, and clove hitch.
Choosing the Right Knot for Natural Cordage
When working with natural bark fibers, it’s essential to select knots that can withstand the rough texture and potential stretch of the material. The bowline knot is an excellent choice for natural cordage, particularly for securing lines to posts, trees, or other anchors. To create a secure bowline, wrap the working end of the cordage around the post three to four times before passing it through the loop.
Securing Loops and Hitches
The sheet bend knot is another vital knot for natural cordage, used for joining two cords of unequal length. To create a sheet bend, overlap the two cord ends by six to eight inches and pass the working end of one cord under the other. Then, pass the working end over the top of the overlapping section and through the loop created by the first cord. Tighten the knot by pulling on both cord ends.
Working with Rawhide and Plant Sinew
Rawhide and plant sinew are more prone to stretching and tearing than bark fibers, making knots like the clove hitch and rolling hitch more suitable. The clove hitch is a versatile knot used for securing lines to posts or other anchors, while the rolling hitch is ideal for securing loads to pack animals or posts. When working with rawhide or plant sinew, keep the knots loose enough to accommodate any stretch or movement, but still secure enough to prevent accidental release.
Find more answers
Browse the full Q&A library by topic, or jump back to the topic this question belongs to.