What is your favorite general purpose knot for overlanding?

RideFlyDiveJeep said:
This is a fun series of knots to fiddle with. I keep about 4' of paracord and just practice them over and over.
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Awesome video! I love the marlinskpike hitch. It's such a versatile knot. I knew 3 of those knots on the video,; now i know more. I'm also a big fan of an alpine butterfly and prusik. Loop on the end, loop in the middle, and a a cinch knot and you can tie down anything.
 
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JimInBC said:
A bowline, on or off the bight. It gives you a solid loop. It is nice that it will not overly tighten under load.

It can be used for rescue. Can be tied single handed with practice. Can be used for lashing.

There are not my videos but they are clear and short.

On a bight

Off a bight

PS I like a truckers hitch too. Great for putting canoes on the roof , but needs to be used with caution as it gives enough leverage to bend a boat.
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Yep, best most useful knot ever, plus the half hitch.
DSCN2425.jpeg
50 years later I still recite "the rabbit come out the hole runs 'round the tree and goes back down the hole".
And then I go watch Alice in Wonderland again.

The figure eight plus the traced eight are the easiest knots to undo after a hard pull.
 
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Bowline and a clove hitch. There’s another one I use as a tension knot for rain flys and such but can’t remember the name.
 
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I have been a sailor since I was ”knee high to a bilge lizard” and was able to tie a bowline in the dark before I could walk :-) Obviously, that is my favourite knot and I use it regularly in camp (followed closely by ”two half hitches”).
BTW- does anyone else use the wrist flip to start the bowline, so the rabbit is already out of the hole?
 
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LVCoffeeguy said:
Figure 8 - follow thru or a double figure 8. I first learned it rock climbing, now I use and teach everybody it! It is easy to tie and easy to un tie no matter what kind of pull/force was put on it. Not to mention, if it is good enough for me falling off of a mountain it is good enough for my rig.
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I'm quite partial to it's cousin, the "directional figure 8". I use it when lashing stuff inside my trailer. Form up a directional figure 8 to where I need it point, click in a carabineer, and then it acts as it own 2:1 pully. Makes for a super secure load. Way better than ratchet straps.
 
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I dont remember what its called but you take the rope, do three loops arpund your hand. Then you alternate weaving the outside loops underneath and to the center three times. What youre left with is a bowline with a loop. I use them all the time and they work on any size of cord or rope. Great for trucker sinches. You can reef on them and they still come undo easy.
 
Apoclapedia said:
I dont remember what its called but you take the rope, do three loops arpund your hand. Then you alternate weaving the outside loops underneath and to the center three times.
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Sounds like an Alpine Butterfly.
www.animatedknots.com

Alpine Butterfly Loop

The Alpine Butterfly Loop provides a secure loop in the middle of a piece of rope. Load can be safely applied: from the loop to either end of the rope; between the two ends with the loop hanging free; or to the loop with the load spread between the two ends.
www.animatedknots.com www.animatedknots.com
They show it tied about the hand differently than I was taught (more like this https://www.survivalkit.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/butterfly-lg.jpg) but still loops around the hand then pull through for a secure and easy to untie mid-line loop. I also use it as the start of a truckers hitch.

Boort
 
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