How to Tie the Most Useful Knot in the World (Bowline)

This is a short video to help those who have seen many of my past videos where I use a bowline knot. This is the most useful knot you will ever learn. It will not slip when in use, and comes undone easily even after being tightened under thousands of pounds. #NightHawkInLight
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[@willstover9671]

Thank you. I really needed this for a permanent solution

[@ishaannaik1947]

You alive bro??

[@MrMurdaMan_MostWan]

​@@ishaannaik1947he posted a month ago hes fine

[@BellicV]

Bruh 💀

[@user-gl8kh2wh5g]

Hey, you wanna talk? Give me your snap and you can vent

[@user-em7zb7fy1v]

0:33 😊

[@SolZaree]

What a breathtaking lifehack!

[@dharla4995]

Fr!

[@negawatt222]

Real

[@OrangesXx]

💀

[@ayshakhatun4702]

I like your humour.

[@el-noobio2808]

That's a life ending tip thanks

[@OrangesXx]

Fuck dont even think about it-

[@bulbouskiwicat9608]

Thing is it wouldn’t even work well

[@evansmutembei2601]

Thanks BYE BYE by the time u see this I'll be no where to be seen. I love u mom but I don't think I deserve your love, trust and forgiveness anymore 😢😢 ➕

[@KalexDear]

@@bulbouskiwicat9608why?

[@SahajSoldier]

There's better knots for that

[@Gigacat-sp7yn]

Thanks Bud! You're A Life Saver!

[@nillson7580]

💀

[@aidentheghazt9457]

More like a life ender

[@dailyreactive]

Unless someone uses it around their neck 😂

[@TheRoomsAndDoorsFan]

​@@aidentheghazt9457 lol

[@Ariayaya_]

Ender*

[@ladedadedaschlobonmeknob7850]

My earphone wires know how to tie better knots than i do

[@cps5698]

... in the dark, with its eyes closed.

[@muralidharbharati2503]

Lol

[@xoxo.briii9]

Ladedadeda SchlobOnMeKnob lol

[@nickhammer6408]

good one

[@_Aliens_]

ha! that’s the truth

[@siloclay6193]

You are the only person to not cover up their knot with their hands while tying it. Thank you for actually showing the orientation of the rope and moving it around instead of just tying the knot and that's that

[@Born-Bitter]

So true. The other videos are great examples of finished knots with a bunch of witchcraft before hand.

[@Mobtheboss-]

My man’s probably got more assists than Mesut Ozil from this video

[@THEbeetrootsoup]

Very useful lifehack! It will be hanging there in my mind along with all of the others!

[@TimberwrightSvs]

A good knot is one that is strong in tension and is easy to untie after it's used. The bowline fits this description and can be used to loop around almost anything. For example, it is taught during dive training as a way to ensure escape when diving in caves. Once the knot is tied, one simply puts the free end around anything substantial (i.e., a tree) and then passes it through the loop left by the knot. I have used it in this way to control the fall of trees and it is perfect for the job.

[@tommyharris5817]

Is there a video showing your tree description; if not, make one cus I'll be watching it.

[@JSGAMING2020]

10 year ago comment 😮

[@pensiveboogie]

When I was a Boy Scout, we learned “the rabbit comes out of the hole, around the tree and back down the hole”

[@hinano316]

That's the best tutorial I've ever seen on the bowline.

[@johndeeter9522]

Very clear very simple and concise, and still the negative comments. I don’t know what it would take. Excellent job

[@katsukinr1hero476]

thank you, i'm gonna need this

[@BarukObamana]

same bro

[@yuulfuji]

for what 💀

[@bosundave121]

I teach this knot to people then blind fold (close their eyes, no peeking, actually) them and repeat 17 times. No rabbit, no hole, no tree, just a hand manipulation (just as you showed) that your body will remember forever through "muscle memory". It should be a knot you can tie fast in pitch dark in an emergency. WHO taught me this? An OLD but still (at the time) active duty Merchant Mariner on my first US Merchant Marine ship in 1975. Hesailed as an AB or Bosun. I was a mere OS(Ordinary Seaman at the time) I am 67 and still sailing on 1000 foot ships. Bosundave. I make more than the 3rd mates, BTW

[@beerhistory]

Thanks for this. I came here looking for the rabbit or something like that, but realized you're right as soon as I read your comment. I just did it 17 times with my eyes closed, and now I know it.

[@litehouse6]

Muscle memory is a myth.

[@blueburro9226]

"Repetitions breeds perfection." Practice Practice

[@ruskw]

@@litehouse6 muscle memory is not a myth. However your muscles do not have memory

[@litehouse6]

@@ruskw Yes, it is a myth. As you stated, muscles do not have memory.

[@skyhawk6388]

Best thing ever. After I learned this knot I climbed to the top of the tallest trees with the rope tied it around me then let go of the tree. It held me like a boss. THANSK FOR THIS KNOT

[@Tzara86]

Are you still alive? ☠

[@eduardovaldez2134]

Tzara it s joke

[@luiscastillo-if1ll]

Literally learning dis for dat exact reason

[@NourFloyD]

Thanks man ! , You have saved a lot of lives .

[@Im_justhere]

Or not 😀 (I’m sorry I had to make that joke I’ll delete this comment if you want)

[@NourFloyD]

@@Im_justhere hhh , no that's actually funny , you don't have to apologize

[@starsaredizzy]

thats not very funny to joke about. My hamster watched this video, now look where he is.

[@steveweber2436]

Thank you You showed the easiest way I have seen for making the knot loop

[@SHA-vj7ul]

knot loop?

[@sarkyfarky8679]

Absolutely brilliant demonstration - really clear and well-paced and I didn't even have to sit through your life history first. Adding some pictures of it in use would be good.

[@dxd813]

Amen to the life history!

[@Nighthawkinlight]

I find it to be so useful because of how quickly it can be tied, and untied after bearing a heavy load. Taking the static loop it creates you can firmly tie a rope around anything without cinching it down onto the object, or you can feed the running line through the end to create a sliding loop that will cinch down. Because it has an easy break it will not over tighten and can always be easily undone, whereas heavy weight on the knots you mentioned makes them difficult to later untie.

[@neistergaming8913]

I got me fingers stuck

[@kinglegion2842]

Thanks bro your a life taker

[@rodneycrossland3791]

This really is probably the most useful knot in the world. I use it almost on a daily basis and get frustrated when I see my workmates tying stupid knots that won't come undone. You can tow another vehicle with this knot and get it undone easily afterwards.

[@sinnocent6086]

Would this be a good knot to use magnet fishing to attach the rope to the magnet or carabiner? Since I could untie it later? Or would this untie itself somehow after being tossed around etc?

[@cammybola2968]

@@sinnocent6086 a good bowline shouldn't come loose, but maybe add some waterproof tape to the working end of the line to make it harder to come undone. If you're really worried maybe add a one or two half hitches and then tape the working end and them, but my previous suggestion should work just fine. You could also just add the one or two half hitches

[@markkaminski2416]

@@sinnocent6086 believe it or not , there is actually a bowline called a water bowline. It is with some slack in the knot to compensate for the tightening that occurs when the line absorbs water and swells. Used bowlines and clove hitch just about everyday of my working career.

[@sluggy3974]

I have a question? Is it a strong knot?

[@markkaminski2416]

@@sluggy3974 Very strong , I used it to tie off hundreds of feet off the ground. Bowline, clove hitch and a round turn with two half hitches are knots you can trust your life to.

[@Nighthawkinlight]

@ShimmyNS I use it in many of my other videos. It does not have one specific purpose, it is the most commonly used knot in any purpose that requires rope. It is used when sailing, logging, freeing stuck vehicles, in traps, climbing...It can be used for anything.

[@MatthewReader]

Thanks for this, I needed to learn this knot for volunteer firefighter training and the videos we have to work from were confusing. I was able to follow your directions much better, and your explanation is clearer.

[@wesg3084]

That is the easiest and most concise explanation of the bowline knot that I've ever seen. Thank you.

[@Nighthawkinlight]

@KIngAragorn100 I actually do use a bowline. I make a tiny loop with the bowline, then I feed the loose end of the line through that loop so that the new loop runs freely.

[@davey929]

This is my favorite knot of all. I am the son of three generations of sailors and I use this knot in almost everything I do because it tightens under stress but loosens with ease.

[@shoestringfarm]

You couldn't have made this any clearer, amazing. Thank you.

[@yaboikeveon5884]

Thanks man, u just saved my life!!

[@ayshakhatun4702]

Your humour is 🤌😭

[@jawlesseel840]

I had a horrible time understanding the scout leaders when they taught us this. You made it very clear and understandable thank you

[@Nighthawkinlight]

@flamedrag18 Maybe, they're both good knots. I'm a big fan of the taught line hitch, that's an extremely useful one that has a million applications. I've got two of them keeping the seat cover of my truck in place. You can't do everything with any one knot, but if you're going to pick a winner I think the bowline clearly falls into first. You're certainly entitled to your opinion though.

[@hugodesrosiers-plaisance3156]

After your second explanation, the one with one end of the rope between index and major, I just suddenly understood how to tie a bowlie knot in 2 seconds. Once I got the "feeling" for it, it just went by itself and my hands twisted the rope and tied the bowline to whatever length I needed. Great explanation, thank you! Subbed!

[@MiamiBroChannel]

Good knot bro! Just did a video similar to the one you just did showing a different way on how to do this. By far this is one of my favorite knots to do. Super useful, strong and easy to take apart whenever I need to.

[@clearview9581]

Nicely choreographed and straight to the point. Enjoyed your video enough to use it in my life. Thank you

[@greysonnash464]

This is probably one of the most useful knots ever and you made the video at the perfect pace for me to learn this and I also got it on my first try!

[@Sazid-Shahriyar-Roop]

I am not understanding a single thing! I got myself a small rope and I can't even make a loop properly!

[@Ronno4691]

Short, concise and to the point. The BEST tutorial on KZbin on anything.

[@httv4951]

Great thanks for the video. Watched it once and can do it really fast straight away. Easily explained much appreciated

[@3vanguardofthephoenix335]

One tip. I know black looks tactical, and so on but it kind of obfuscates the configuration of the ropes Orange or white or something will have better shadows and make it look more 3 dimensional and easier to understand the configuration of the ropes (i.e. the working end loops over the standing end or somesuch)

[@rcala1980]

FEMA CAMP ESCAPEE *obsfustcates

[@VidarrKerr]

@@rcala1980 FEMA CAMPS are incoming. Are you ready?

[@rcala1980]

Víðarr Kerr Yea I got my slip knot ready for when FEMA Camps get here.

[@VidarrKerr]

@@rcala1980 Don't do that. Get yourself a rifle and join the rest of us Liberating Ourselves from this wicked, money printing Ashkenazis.

[@hussamazzabi7911]

Dad was a sailor for over 30 years and almost only uses this when dealing with ropes.

[@urponator3399]

Thank you so much! Was struggling with making knots for my resistance band that wouldn't come loose during my physiotherapy practices, this worked wonders!!

[@Honkykong504]

The best video I’ve seen because you get right to the point. No dumb riddles about that damn rabbit or nothing. Thanks!!!

[@darrelllogan1274]

Good job. I approve AND agree that this is the most useful knot. You might have also mentioned that it has a higher breaking strength than most knots.

[@MrCdunginess]

Thank you! Your explanation works so much better for me than the fox chasing a rabbit around a tree!

[@starsaredizzy]

ive been searching my entire life for this. This is my lifes purpose. . . . *eyes glow yellow*

[@AllenGarvin]

Going to a music workshop next week, after not playing my instruments in a year and half of pandemic. A number of strings were broken. This was very useful for trying the knots of gut strings at the tailpiece. Thanks!

[@trefor8]

Thank you for that. That will help me remember that first loop and a quicker way.

[@MrGoatflakes]

+trefor8 quicker and one handed. So you can tie it around your chest under your armpits to be hauled to safety without losing your grip as you tie it \=^-^=/

[@mrllamaton1873]

Thanks, needed this for lego

[@starsaredizzy]

why are u hanging ur lego

[@mrllamaton1873]

@@starsaredizzy I'm making cables.

[@MrMarkpeggy]

Clear and concise. Thank you for sharing!

[@liannapfister8255]

Bunny hops out of the hole, runs around the tree, then hops back in the hole

[@unixedu887]

legit just visualized that and made the knot. 💪

[@parecearabe]

@@unixedu887 me too!

[@ljeffy9665]

Dexter tying his tie

[@Nighthawkinlight]

It's simple. The half loop that wraps around the pulling line can be pressed down to loosen the knot no matter how tightly it has been cinched. I should have shown it in this video had I remembered. A demonstration can be seen 40 seconds into this: /watch?v=wbbHx5KCUYY I've undone the knot hundreds of times after having several tons of timber dead dropped onto it with no issues whatsoever.

[@ASentientPlant]

THANK YOU. I have been trying to find an easy knot to tie handle for my dogs leash, with no splitting required. I tried 2 different videos about diamond knots, not sure what I was messing up or if its because my rope it SO thick, but it was not looking good. This finally did the trick!

[@nitrade87]

Thank you! I’m in a fire academy for 15-17 year olds, and I have been struggling with my bowline. Again thank you!

[@mamadeebuildsahouse]

Growing up in africa I never knew that I would be watching people teach how to tie a knot

[@ParrotHead1809]

I like the "two fingers" trick for making this knot. I could never remember which way to make the "hole". Good Vid.

[@edrivas10]

This is the best explanation of the bowline I've ever seen. And I have watched many. In a few months I always forget how to do it. But this video mande me immediately understand. Thanks.

[@ovlovninety2320]

Yes! The old bowline on a bite! A variation I know~ but stumped the hell out of me as a Boy Scout circa 1972. Took ma forever to pass because of this one knot. My favorite was the taught line hitch. Tied more junk to more car roofs.

[@DrThunder88]

It also can be used in water and ice rescues for the same reason. Basically any application where a non-slipping loop is called for. The knot itself can be worked loose when it's not under load, but the loop will not close as long as there's some tension on it. Fun fact: the bowline and sheet bend have the same structure. With the standing and free ends hidden, they are indistinguishable!

[@Nighthawkinlight]

I did tree work for several years and used a bowline dozens of times per day, and have since found a use for it everywhere. I do like the taught line, a lot, but just about every time I use it I'll have a bowline holding the stationary end of the rope.

[@kewalkrishan1868]

N

[@kelvinfernandez4058]

@@kewalkrishan1868 I

[@decorumless6432]

@@kelvinfernandez4058 G

[@grav8455]

@@decorumless6432 H

[@decorumless6432]

@@grav8455 T

[@nomad211d]

Thank you. This is the best and easiest one I've found today. I'm getting it right everytime.

[@MrFuzzleupagus]

This is the most useful video I’ve ever seen regarding this knot. Thank you!

[@MrChamberlaindavidd]

Somebody made fun of me as a small child in youth group cause I couldn't tie this knot. So I over compensated taught myself to tie it no matter what 30 years later I can still do it blindfolded, behind my back or with one hand 😂

[@ClimbLikeAGoat]

Very well thought out and easy to follow instruction, thank you so much.

[@ericdouglas9758]

Thank you so much for getting right to the point, and the instructions. Made it easy to rewind and try again. Don't need five minutes of introduction for 30 seconds of instruction. Thanks.

[@kolard249]

Thanks man, you're life saver.

[@PrepperAction]

Great video, right to the point and explains it all. There is a litany that I learned, which is... the rabbit comes out of the hole goes around the tree and back down the hole, if I haven't tied this for a while that helps my remember how to start it.

[@starsaredizzy]

do u still wear that hat?

[@bridgersmith6106]

im a boyscout learning knots and i find your vids realy helpful for me to learn

[@noobbutteryt9801]

boi same here

[@alltehthingz298]

Thanks this knot helped me fix a dishwasher door hinge spring mechanism tonight without costing me a penny! Woo!

[@Craig-MItchell]

So well explained with the handy twist loop. Thanks a mil 🙂

[@Nighthawkinlight]

@qnximg It can be used any time you need a loop in a line that will not slip. For example, if you needed to tie a loop you could put under your arms or hold onto if you needed to be airlifted. It can also be used to tie one line to another. Rather than using the end of the line to come back up and make the second half of the knot, you can use the tail of another line which will securely attach the two together. One of the best things about this knot is it easily comes undone after tightening.

[@CarolinaGirlCreationZ]

I know this is old as dirt but dang that is HELPFUL as all get out! Thank you so much!

[@junioruncle4378]

Excellent tutorial, I see you posted this video 12 years ago and have gotten almost 12 million views, that is impressive, not only that but you still acknowledge comments that were made a few days ago. That's awesome. 👍

[@Sage_Sky._.]

Ty! I’ve watched like 7 videos and none of them worked except this one ty!!!

[@Nighthawkinlight]

@LlamaEnigma I'm glad you got it down. Yeah the main reason I posted this video is because the other tutorials that I've seen for this knot do not show the two finger method. It's by far the fastest and easiest way to make the knot.

[@Kuriet]

Such a life saver 😍

[@Im_justhere]

Or not… 🪦

[@Weemaa_0]

Ikr it’s literally a life taker for me such big help!!

[@bkershaccount]

Beautiful with the double finger speed method tip.

[@CausticLemons7]

So satisfying to watch. Thank you! I will be practicing this until I have it memorized.

[@Buelligan88]

Knots. I must learn more knots.

[@ashley-nz1yp]

+Buelligan88 there is squareknot,clovhich and sheetbend

[@daddydojang]

You’d better knot

[@gnomonthegnomelover7006]

I cannot knot.

[@jreese46]

Learn the figure 8 on a bight and the figure 8 follow through.

[@Nighthawkinlight]

@clayton1979 The loop you make with this knot will not slip, but you can turn it into a slip knot by running the long end of the line through the loop the knot creates. Watch my paper crossbow video or one of my trapping videos and most of them show an example. It's called a running bowline.

[@calebz1448]

In my many attempts to learn this oddly named knot(I find it useless if it isn't easily replicatable) I accidentally tied it where the knot grabbed the line when pulling the loop but if I pulled the main line through I could adjust the size of the loop freely. The regular bowline has no appeal to me but a slipping and catching loop knot has a high appeal to me if you know of what I'm describing please help

[@gabrielo4749]

A very easy to follow and remember tutorial. thank you!

[@budgeburridge1625]

I really wasn’t getting my head around this knot until I watched this video!! Thanks man!

[@rickywoo1592]

I've watched a lot of Bowline tutorials. This is by far the best explained tutorial. Simple and easy. Thank you.

[@Nighthawkinlight]

@AirrowRocket It is used any time you need to make a loop in a rope that will not slip and that will come undone easily afterward. I use it in many of my traps and other projects. It is the knot you would want to tie around yourself if you ever needed to be airlifted to safety. It will not tighten up on you and it does not slip. It's useful in every situation that requires a rope.

[@starsaredizzy]

can it hold my body weight

[@MasterKoala777]

Starting with the long version before showing the short cut made all the difference for me. Other tutorials go straight to the short cut, and while that works for some, I prefer to know the basic structure of a knot first for a deeper understanding. Thank you 🙂

[@user-mw8er6dp6m]

Thanks for this, I'm ready to kick the Chair now

[@useless.5373]

Everly _ Laufyson _L nc

[@austinmccuistion1784]

Friend your looking for a noose knot.

[@williamwhite9481]

A bowline knot doesnt tighten like the knot you are looking for. (Noose) The whole point of a bowline is not to tighten

[@PopeyeSolos]

Do a flip

[@xn85d2]

Neat, so you got your hammock set up nicely then?

[@prashansao9899]

Thnx for this! I can finally die ❤️

[@couriva6103]

I needed this for my second class rank. I needed sheet bend and boeline. This was helpful thanks

[@sealber8925]

this is such a breathtaking video (i wonder how many people used this video for breathtaking activities)

[@Nighthawkinlight]

@tybo09 I hadn't thought about any more knot videos, but I may have one or two left up my sleeve. The videos are certainly easier to make than my typical ten minute tutorials. Thumbs up this comment if you would like to see more knot tutorials. That will give me a good idea of how many people are interested.

[@noob6288]

Thanks man, your a life safer

[@SometimesTurtle]

Not sure if you have because this is my first video here, but you could show us how to do fishing knots, such as basic loops and drop loops, which are super good to know for fishing, but I am just getting into it and the videos using fishing line are so hard to follow tbh, you could make that easier =P

[@idiocracy10]

I just watched it to see if he said "the rabbit comes out of the hole, goes around the tree and goes back into the hole".

[@neiljohnson5351]

Farewell and adieu to you, Spanish ladies!

[@21Lillith]

I’ve been shown this knot many times but this is the best and easiest method I’ve seen.

[@mcdonalds5608]

Thank you this will solve my overthink. nag enjoy ako sa 16 years ko dito sa earth marami akong nakilala na tao mostly si venice di ko alam kung paano ako mabubuhay pag wala sya thank you din sa family ko support sila sakin palagi time ko na siguro para paikliin buhay ko.

[@dylanskye6492]

Simple, easy to understand and great presentation. Thanks man!

[@SuzukiHalwende]

"This is a know you can trust not to slip, and will easily come untied after no matter how much weight is put on it" *Semi-Slow Clap*

[@nerolsalguod4649]

Excellent. So simple. Thank You !

[@whiteroseproject7207]

Wow what a great tutorial this is really going to help get me ready for my next bushcrafting course

[@suviandsade258]

Now all I need to do is find a way to hang it on the ceiling

[@user-kp8yj3fe1q]

to anyone who's reading this- i promise you it gets better. you are really strong and beautiful. you are loved. i love you so much. i care about you. you are more than enough and dont ever let anyone tell u otherwise. the good times will come, have faith. there is no rainbow without rain, stay strong. you can very brave and you can do it. you've come too far to only come this far.

[@2amanon78]

i hope it does. my parents have given up. so i am

[@user-kp8yj3fe1q]

@@2amanon78 i assure you it does. reassure your parents and tell them to stay strong. you *have* to stay strong so you can see it get better. never give up.

[@mewo1646]

lmao how did u kno that i searched this to kill myse-

[@user-kp8yj3fe1q]

@@mewo1646 hey! dont ever think about that. you are really loved and cared for. imagine all the things you'd miss out on if you went with your plan; please dont do it. i love you so much and i care about you, and if you need to talk to anyone about anything, I'm here for you.

[@lancerobbinssr4546]

I Thank you for increasing my all around knowledge. I was not in the boy scout's And Once again for this video I no longer regret it! WOOO HOÒO!

[@elf89]

I like the trick with the two fingers. I am definitely going to work on that!

[@supernatureboy13]

I love how simple you made it, great job.

[@jwesthoff1021]

I served in the Coast Guard, at a Search and Rescue station, and being able to tie this knot quickly and perfectly was often a matter of life and death.

[@sinnocent6086]

Would this be an appropriate knot to use magnet fishing? Attaching rope to the magnet or carabiner? If not, do you have a better suggestion? I'd hate to lose my magnet. 😅