Page 135 - Des Pawson "Pocket Guide to Knots & Splices"

Buntline Hitch

Buntlines were ropes attached to the foot of a square sail and were used to spill
the wind from the bunt or belly of the sail when the sail was being furled

(stowed). This hitch was the hitch used to make the buntlines fast, as it was
very secure—-the more flapping and tugging the tighter it became.

As the square-sailed ships disappeared, so did the buntline hitch, the only
place that it survived was when used to tie a gentleman’s necktie, when it was
called the four-in-hand knot.

However, the buntline hitch has come out of retirement as it has been found
to be an ideal knot for use with the high-tech ropes made of Kevlar.

1 Bring the working end of the rope
through the ring and round the standing
part.

2 Take the working end round the standing
part above the turn it has just made.
3 Tuck the working end through between

ring and the turn to make a half hitch
trapped in the turn.
4 Pull up snug to produce finished knot.

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