Author Topic: The "Tarp Knot"...Is it a brand new knot?  (Read 10770 times)

knotstar

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The "Tarp Knot"...Is it a brand new knot?
« on: October 13, 2012, 03:34:22 PM »
Hi, I have been lightweight "bushcraft" camping several times out in the wild, using a hammock under a tarp, with both strung between the same two trees.  The tarp is hung under a taut ridge line via its three built in securing loops.  The tarp is tensioned along this ridge line using comms cord Prussic knots on each end.
The knot in the first end of this ridge line is the most important knot, as it has to be easy to tie, easy to adjust, very secure under load, able to be easily tied with one hand (in case you have accidentaly lost the use of one hand), suitable for left or right handed people, able to be tied above you, and always, quick release.
I tried using several commonly available knots for this purpose but none of them could meet all the latter criteria at the same time.
Ray Mears recommends the Evenk Knot (Also known as the Siberian Hitch) but I find it rediculously complicated to tie.  It also requires two hands to tie it, it is directional so it could be difficult for either left or right handed people to tie and it cannot be tied above your head easily, if at all.
So I invented my own knot for the job which I called "The First End Tarp Knot".  Although quick release I became unhappy with it and wanted a knot that was even quicker to release, so I came up with a simple interlocking double slip hitch, I call simply "The Tarp Knot".   
It is the only knot I know that meets all of the the above criteria.
Whether it is a brand new knot or just an old knot re-discovered remains to be seen but I will try to post some pics later showing how to tie it so you can try it yourself and make your own mind up.  Meanwhile I have posted a youtube video showing how to tie my new(?) Tarp Knot:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3jmpXL4Kcw&feature=youtu.be
« Last Edit: October 13, 2012, 03:59:06 PM by knotstar »

roo

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Re: The "Tarp Knot"...Is it a brand new knot?
« Reply #1 on: October 13, 2012, 04:53:08 PM »
Ray Mears recommends the Evenk Knot (Also known as the Siberian Hitch) but I find it rediculously complicated to tie.
You probably just need to find a better method:
http://notableknotindex.webs.com/haltersiberian.html

Quote
  Meanwhile I have posted a youtube video showing how to tie my new(?) Tarp Knot:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3jmpXL4Kcw&feature=youtu.be
Regardless of whether it is new, it has problems.  When tied around a larger object, the knot form becomes unstable and capsizes if the crossings get too close to the standing part.  This isn't just an academic problem, this can happen from rope swinging that pushes the crossings around.

The latter part of the video is a similar scenario as discussed for a Fat Sheepshank application:
http://notableknotindex.webs.com/sheepshank.html
« Last Edit: October 13, 2012, 05:01:30 PM by roo »
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knotstar

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Re: The "Tarp Knot"...Is it a brand new knot?
« Reply #2 on: October 13, 2012, 10:18:01 PM »
Ray Mears recommends the Evenk Knot (Also known as the Siberian Hitch) but I find it rediculously complicated to tie.
You probably just need to find a better method:
http://notableknotindex.webs.com/haltersiberian.html

Quote
  Meanwhile I have posted a youtube video showing how to tie my new(?) Tarp Knot:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3jmpXL4Kcw&feature=youtu.be
Regardless of whether it is new, it has problems.  When tied around a larger object, the knot form becomes unstable and capsizes if the crossings get too close to the standing part.  This isn't just an academic problem, this can happen from rope swinging that pushes the crossings around.

I have just tried it and your right.  Its not stable unless braced against the post or tree...So I had another go at it and have just produced a stable version.
As a result I have withdrawn the original tarp knot/drivers knot video and will make a new one in due course.
Thanks for highlighting that issue...

Quote
The latter part of the video is a similar scenario as discussed for a Fat Sheepshank application:
http://notableknotindex.webs.com/sheepshank.html

Its more like half a sheepshank but with something different on the other end...
« Last Edit: October 14, 2012, 12:36:42 AM by knotstar »

roo

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Re: The "Tarp Knot"...Is it a brand new knot?
« Reply #3 on: October 13, 2012, 11:33:16 PM »
Quote
The latter part of the video is a similar scenario as discussed for a Fat Sheepshank application:
http://notableknotindex.webs.com/sheepshank.html
Its more like half a sheepshank but with something different on the other end...
I'm not referring to knot geometry.  By "scenario", I'm describing an application.
« Last Edit: October 14, 2012, 01:32:51 AM by roo »
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knotstar

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Re: The "Tarp Knot"...Is it a brand new knot?
« Reply #4 on: October 14, 2012, 12:32:42 AM »
The latter part of the video is a similar scenario as discussed for a Fat Sheepshank application:
http://notableknotindex.webs.com/sheepshank.html

Its more like half a sheepshank but with something different on the other end...

I'm not referring to knot geometry.  By "scenario", I'm describing an application.

Is a sheep shank quick release? 
« Last Edit: October 14, 2012, 01:03:44 AM by knotstar »

roo

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Re: The "Tarp Knot"...Is it a brand new knot?
« Reply #5 on: October 14, 2012, 01:35:06 AM »
Is a sheep shank quick release?
I'd say so... almost to a fault, depending on your needs.
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knotstar

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Re: The "Tarp Knot"...Is it a brand new knot?
« Reply #6 on: October 14, 2012, 02:16:29 AM »
I'm still working on the more stable version...If you dont get the first loop right its a different knot.
« Last Edit: October 14, 2012, 02:59:24 AM by knotstar »

 

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