Scout Knots Video Download
Vilma Masaitis
These animated knots are described for scouts, but most of them have critical uses in other environments. The selection of knots is based on consultation with many scouting leaders and a review of the requirements by some national organizations.
Some additional knots which have been listed for teaching to scouts are described elsewhere on this website: the Water Knot, the Bowline on a Bight, the Carrick Bend, and the Sailmaker's Whipping. The Tautline Hitch is regarded as a variation of the Rolling Hitch. The Double Sheet Bend is pictured on the Sheet Bend Page. The Pipe Hitch is not described as several knots appear to share this name, one of which is the same as the Klemheist. The Masthead or Jury Knot is not described here as it appears to have limited use but you can find how to make it on the page about the Masthead Knot Mat in the decorative section. So far at least, the Cat's paw, Draw Hitch, and Honda are not included.
Some national organizations specify detailed requirements for advancement and for various activities. These lists change with time and some are overdue for revision because they contain errors or knots of almost no value. Other countries describe projects and activities that involve using knots, but provide no specified lists. The lists below were compiled from data on websites in the US and UK:
Hi Mike as an Australian we use the original name for the square knot. which is the Reef knot. also we teach the Haymans hitch as a Truckers hitch. as it is faster to use as you do not have to feed all the tail end of rope through.
Good work on getting people to use knots Safely. Cheers S
As a Scoutmaster of 12 years or so, the Troop Committee Members administering the boards of review need to know that the pictures of the knots shown in the Scout Handbook, are tied right handed. Left handed boys may tie them differently, but they are still correct, just backwards to the pictures in the book.
The taut line hitch is a poor knot to use, and there are variations that are much better. For all you knot enthusiasts, I would suggest the Grog Knots app, as it shows very god demonstrations on a plethora of knots and also describes when and how to fully utilize them. For full effectiveness, they recommend tying the midshipman hitch rather than the taut line; the variation is in the second turn of the hitch, it forms a rolling hitch which locks the first hitch in place.
Now, to address the more recent question of interesting skills at a board of review: I have been working with the BSA for a number of years, in various capacities, most recently as a member of the Troop Committee for a troop of new scouts. The testing of a boy in the BOR has never been part of the official BSA guidelines. The problem is that most, if not all, of the leaders remember how thing were done in the units they were in as boys, and think the way the unit worked was correct. Many times, those units were doing things the way the leaders remembered from their time as boys. FEW OF THEM WERE PROPERLY TRAINED.
The bowline is one of the most commonly-used loop knots and will hold under tension. Able to be tied quickly and in different parts of a rope, the bowline is commonly used in rescues or other emergency situations.
Clove hitches are important knots used to start lashings or secure lines to posts. Be sure to only tighten a clove hitch by pulling both ends lengthwise. Otherwise, you may make the knot unreliable. Some common uses of the clove hitch in Scouting include:
Setup: Knots can be used to hang up a gear, to tie tent flaps, to connect a boat to a dock, and for lots of cool crafts. Follow a tutorial in a guidebook or online or ask an older Girl Scout or another expert to teach you some basic knots, such as the square knot, the clove hitch, and the bowline.
List of Basic Boy Scout Training Knots According To Their UsesLearning to tie knots is an essential part of scouting programs. Not only does it teach discipline and focus, but the skill also comes in handy for survival in critical situations. Their knowledge is also the key to going up the different levels of scouting and earning a few coveted awards.
Square knots are worn above the left shirt pocket to recognize specific training, honorary awards, earned awards, and heroic actions. The Boy Scouts of America have changed the square knot color and some designs to match the ever-changing uniforms. Some of the more scarce old-style knots have been reproduced over the years by many individuals. Those changes were made to match uniform colors and styles no longer supported by the BSA. There are also "spoof" square knots listed in this category.
If you were in the Boy Scouts then these Boy Scout Knots Cards probably look familiar to you. I remember staring at these as a kid trying to figure out how to tie many of these knots, several of them I still remember today.
If you are looking to expand your knot knowledge then this is a great place to start. Grab some rope and while you are sitting down watching the television go ahead and practice a few of these essential Boy Scout knots.
I would see the older scouts building entrances and gateways to our campsite using nothing but the tree limbs found on the ground and, of course, some rope. They would raise their patrol flag, to seemingly skyscraper heights! All that was required was a couple of poles and some ropework (lashing).
During dinner chow time, I would see scouts using tripod lashing to build a cooking station for our Dutch oven meal. I was amazed by what my fellow scouts were constructing with their pioneering skills!
As I progressed through the ranks in the Boy Scouts, I learned to tie many different knots. It seemed that every time I met a Scout from a different troop, we had knots to exchange. Some scouts were collecting patches while I focused on collecting knowledge. That focus on knowledge has served me well till this day.
Once I attained the rank of Eagle Scout, I began teaching at Boy Scout summer camp. I worked various areas from the Nature Lodge to the Aquatics Area. But as you may have guessed by now, my favorite place to work was at the Pioneering Station.
The square knot is quite popular in scouting. It is usually the first knot that a scout is taught because of its simplicity. It is also featured in many different awards that are presented or earned by members of the scouting community.
Just like many knots that I have learned to tie, the sheet bend has its origins in seamanship. The sheet bend would be used in bending ropes to sails or sheets. It is also a great knot to use for mending fishing nets that have come apart.
The bowline knot was taught to me as a rescue knot. At our annual Klondike Derby, where boy scouts from various troop compete against each other in scouting skills competitions, we would have to rescue one of our fellow patrol members utilizing a bowline.
The scenario was that he had been stranded on thin ice while aboard his sled. We would have to throw him a rope as we held onto the one end. The scout being rescued would have to tie a proper bowline around his waist and we would pull him and his sled across the thin ice mimicking an actual rescue.
The fact that it is adjustable, makes it ideal for repositioning your shelter or other gear used for protection from the elements. Instead of having to re-tie your knots, especially in bad weather, you can just quickly adjust your taut-line hitch.
I chose to share these specific knots with you because they had a big impact on my interest in pioneering. That interest gave me a huge advantage when I became a United States Marine. While my fellow Marines were going over some of these very same knots at Marine Mountain Warfare Training School, I was sent onto the next level of training. I was training with elite special forces units simply because of my previous background in pioneering.
Quick refresher: Square knots are rectangular representations of a variety of Scouting awards. Most of these awards are for adult volunteers, but there are some awarded to Scouts and Scouting professionals.
In March of 1946 the Boy Scouts of America announced the first six square knot awards. These awards were to replace the ribbon bars that were being earned at the time. The list of knots has continued to grow. Some knots have been discontinued and others have been added. At present there are 34 knot awards. These awards are worn on the Scouting uniform in place of the plaque or large pendant that they represent.
Generally, the knot awards are worn by adult leaders. But there are a few that may be worn by youth members. Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts may wear the Universal Religious Emblem and the lifesaving and Meritorious Award knots. Explorers may display on their uniforms the same honors plus the Explorer Achievement Award knot.
Some knots are the same for training or service in different programs. For example, the Scouters Training Award knot is the same for service in Boy Scouting, Varsity Scouting and Exploring, Commissioner Service and District Committee. To distinguish the difference in programs a small device may be worn inside the knot for the appropriate program. If the knot award is earned in more than one program then more than one device should be worn.
A knot emblem does have left and right sides. The rope loop over the rope ends always is to the wearer's right. The diagram here shows how the knots would look to someone looking at the shirt. The knot images on the rest of this page all show the correct knot direction.
The square knots are to be worn centered directly above the left shirt pocket. The first knot should be placed with its bottom edge touching the top seam of the pocket flap. The next two knots are placed on both sides of the first knot in a straight row of three knots. Additional knots are placed directly above the first row with bottom edge touching top edge of the existing knots.
From the diagram, you can see that as additional knots are earned, single and double knots on a row need to be resewn. For this reason, some people prefer to place knots right-justified with the pocket edge.
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