Boola Boola and Bugbears

Basically I suck at the Boola Boola so I use the Somerville Bowline for my single/double column ties. Now there are a few reasons for this.

• Its bomb proof - its basically impossible to tie wrong or result in slipage
• With the twist tie method the Somerville Bowline is about as fast as the Boola Boola.
• Somerville Bowline doesnt need reinforcement.

But given its flaws (or my incompetence), it is still good to know how to tie a Boola Boola. So what tricks do i use to make sure I dont stuff it up.

• Cross the tail with the standing before capturing the loops.
• Make a loop in the standing end by grabbing underneath with your left hand and rotating clockwise. 
• Thread the tail thru the loop and tighten 90 degrees to the loops
• Settle the knot.
• Loop the standing again and thread through the tail to reinforce/lock the knot.

While the Somerville Bowline is probably not traditional it is functional. The same can be said for the Boola Boola being a functional improvement to the Hojojitsu Slip knot.

Other Useful Knots

These are just knots your proably should know;

• Reef (Square) Knot
• Clove Hitch (with the end or loops)
• Tape Knot (Water Knot)
• Figure 8 Knot (basic and other forms)
• Alpine Butterfly

Trick Knots

A few of my favourite non bondage and trick knots are;

• The Handcuff Knot (used in fire rescue) 
• Highwaymans Quick Release Hitch (video)
  (also used by Special Forces Helicopter Insertions)
• The Daisy Chain (or endless knot if you release the wrong end)
• Common Whipping
• Sailmakers Whipping
• Hojojutsu Slip Knot (video)

Tape Knot Teaser

Back from my rock climbing days we used to make our own slings from 25mm tube tape. This is available from most adventure stores at least in Australia at a price quite reasonable when compared to premade slings.

As you can see from the photo there are no lose ends from the doubt tape knot in the completed loop (like in my previous post on the Tape Knot)  even though it was made from a simple length of tube tape. 

When I was first shown this ... I was told I had to work it out for myself !!!

I set the same challenge to you all.

Would love to hear some feed back if others use this method to make loops and if you don't how long it took you to work it out. Its not rocket science but a bit of ropey fun.

Feel free to beg if you just don't get it :>

Tape Knot

This is a basic knot for tying lengths of tape (seat belt material) together. The white tape below is 25mm tube tape but it can be applied to 50mm single tape or any other flat sort of material.

This knot is also how I used to finish tying the tape harness  I used for my complete rock climbing career. Being a poor uni student 5m of 50mm tape was significantly cheaper then a dedicated harness.

I will do some later posts showing how to tie a tape harness and a fun challenge to tie a tape loop without tails!

 

The knot is basically the overhand knot tied in a flat style started above and completed loosely below.

 

 

The knot can be kept in a flat style above or tightened as below

Another use for the tape knot is to joint two ends of tape to form a loop.  The basic theory is to tie a single tape knot as above and then feed in the other end or length of tape where the first end exits the first tape knot.

 

Tie a loose tape knot

 

Feed in the other end/second tape where the first end exits the knot.

 

Follow the knot around.

 

Exit the first tape knot at the long end.

 

Tighten up the knot.

 The final loop with lose ends.

Three Knots to Bind Them All

I like life simple. I think you really only need to know three knots to tie almost anything you can think of and best of all you probably already know two of them. These are not my demos cos heaps of other people have done ones better then me. (from left to right)

• Larks Head Knot
• Overhand or Thumb Knot
  (tied to the rod with a clove hitch)
• One/Two Column Tie
• Boola Boola (or this)
• Somerville Bowline 

Esinem has a good discussion and tips on the Boola Boola.

Before you can say I cant count there are four knots. Well the last one is a personal preference and to be honest you can get away with just learning the Boola Boola. The Somerville Bowline is just a bit smancey.