Page 31 - The Knot Bible

Round turn &
KNOT SCORE
buntline hitch Strength

Security
Similar to a round turn and two half hitches, the buntline has one crucial Diffi culty Tying
Diffi culty Untying
difference: the hitches are tied in the opposite direction. This means the short
Usefulness
end becomes jammed in the knot itself, making it very diffi cult to untie.

1 Pass the working end over the 2 Take a full turn, in the same 3 Pass the working end over the
post or ring – commonly a spar or manner as a round turn and two standing part and around the back
mooring ring. half hitches. of the knot.

4 Tuck the working end between KNOT KNOW-HOW
the standing part and the fi rst hitch
to create the second hitch. Tighten On square-riggers, buntlines were lines
the knot, and then slide it until it is that hung from the spars on the leeward
snug against the pole or ring. side of the sails. When the sails were
being stowed, the buntlines were
tightened to prevent the sail fl ogging.
The rest of the time, the buntlines hung
loose and were themselves battered
incessantly by the wind. They therefore
needed an extremely secure knot to
attach them. Hence the buntline hitch.
The same knot, in essence, is used to
tie neckties.

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