Scout Knots

I always get asked to teach Scout knots and lashing... so here is my quick "Brain dump" of notes and resources.

Web Resources

I am a big fan of  "Knots by Grog" -- https://www.animatedknots.com/   -- There is even a section dedicated to just Scout knots.

Knots vs. Hitch

Quick clarification  -- "Knots" are when you tie rope together (think "Square Knot" ) ...  Knots will hold their own form without another object (such as a tent peg or a tree).   Hitches are when you tie your rope around something (thinking "Hitching a horse to a post") ... A Hitch requires you to form it aorund something, and therefore will not really hold their own form. 

The Scout Knots

The 7 knots and hitches needed for Scout requirements:

1. Square Knot [Scout Rank] - First aid knot, can be easy to untie, can fail under load - DO NOT USE for anything critical!

2. Double Half-Hitch [Scout Rank] - Good for tying rope to ring or pipe (like tying a boat to a dock).  Often "miss-used" on tent/tent peg

3. Taut-line Hitch  [Scout Rank] -Adjustable hitch.  Best knot for use on tent/tent peg.

4. Sheet Bend [Second Class] - Better than the Square! works when ropes are different sized.  Holds under load, but easy to release/untie.

5. Bowline Knot [Second Class] - Tie a loop in the end of a rope.   The "Rescue knot".  Does not slip or bind under load.  Can NOT be untied under load, but reasonably easy to untie after release.  

6. Timber Hitch [First Class] - Simple way to tie rope to round object.  Only holds under load, and gets stronger as load increases.  Remove load, and very easy to untie.   Most often used to drag a log or spar.  When dragging, often used in combination with a half-hitch.

7. Clove Hitch [First Class] - Used most often to start a lashing; other than that not really the best knot.  Can fail and or bind.  NEVER USE the clove hitch by itself for anything critical. 

The Lashing

For the First Class rank, scouts also need to know, and then demonstrate (by building a 'camp gadget' , how to use 3 lashings.  

1.  Square Lashing -  "Square" in this case is about how the rope meets the spar.   It has little/nothing to do with the poles "being square".  Used when poles will be touching.  Is load bearing.

2. Diagonal Lashing - Like the Square lashing, "Diagonal" has nothing to do with the poles, but with the rope.  Used when the poles are NOT already touching, used to pull together.  Is not load bearing, but is often used when building the diagonal supports. 

3. Shear Lashing - Lash two poles together to form legs.  A "Tripod Lashing" is the same basic lash, but with a third leg. 

Common Other Lashing

A few other lashing covered in the Scout book, but not a requirement.  Often used during the building of a "Camp Gadget".

1. Round Lashing - Tying two poles together to form longer pole.  (such as building a flag pole).

2. Tripod Lashing - Tying three poles together to form a tripod.  Pretty much identical ot the Shear lashing.

3. Floor Lashing - Tying of poles to form a 'deck' or floor.