The Bowline

To tie the knot move the mouse along the numbers 1 - 10.
Alternate between 10 and Structure to see the structure.

Uses: The Bowline (ABOK # 1010, p 186) makes a loop in the end of a piece of rope. It can be used to secure a rope to a ring or post, and two bowlines can be used to join two ropes. It can also be used when a rope is being used as a tie down: a bowline at one end of the rope can provide an anchor point for a Trucker's Hitch.

Secure when Loaded: A bowline cannot be tied or untied when there the rope is heavily load. Conversely, be warned, it can shake undone when not loaded.

Alternative Structures: When tied as shown in the illustrations above, the bitter end lies in the middle of the loop. Passing the end the opposite way round the standing end forms a "Dutch Marine" or "Left Handed" bowline (see right). It performs satisfactorily - the Dutch Navy says better - but is much less used in other countries.

Safety: For critical loads, a figure of eight knot should be tied in the loose (bitter) end, or, perhaps most secure of all, the free end should be fastened to the adjoining loop with a double overhand knot - see picture on left and the Climbing Section