DIY Knot Tying Station to Practice Your Knots

[@chrisxx012]

Thank you for all the instructions. Me and my son just finished building one exactly like this for our Boy Scout Troop to practice knots and knot racing at meetings and camp out. Thank you again.

[@scottdavenport4901]

Just built this and it’s great! Would it be possible for you to show, slowly, how you tie each knot on this station? Im a novice, and the books and videos all show the knot being tied from the other direction. I even tried playing you back tying at slow speed, but I could not hang with you. 😕 Thanks for all the great content you have posted!! 🇺🇸

[@omgtrmc]

I got really excited when I saw this video. Please tell me I'm not alone on this one.

[@wdtony]

I like this station for my son. I wanted something a bit more versatile so I put big eye screws into studs in the wall (with washers) and then added one across the room to practice trucker’s hitch variations as well as alpine butterfly and lark’s head/prusik. It works better than I thought it would. And holds a tremendous amount of tension for mid shipman’s knot and trucker’s hitch style. I also love to use a variant of the cow hitch that I just call a loop hitch because it’s more dependable under load.

[@alaskankare]

This was BRILLIANT! Firefighters could use this for practicing or getting checked off on firefighting knots. :) Thanks!

[@MakerMeraki]

This is awesome! I built 3 of these last night and this morning for the Longhorn Council Cub Scout Day Camp taking place this coming week in Denton. I didn't have time to stain/paint them on such a tight schedule, but they turned out awesome! My own boys are excited to have them around, and I'm hoping it will keep them out of my ropes!

[@rchopp]

Good project even for kids to help with. Thanks

[@MarkusLaumann]

If you have a headboard, you can build your knot tying station there for those nights when you can't sleep...

[@myrostadler3478]

Lovely idea, thanks for making the vid.

[@Montyfiable]

Cool video. Now the challenge is to do all six knots at 15 feet underwater then undo them all. That would be really interesting to watch.

[@shellcrackerlover5889]

That's a really cool knot tying apparatus! I don't think you should be speed tying knots, though. The goal should be to tie secure, safe knots, not speed tying.

[@dingoman]

Going to have to make one of these for the boys in my troop

[@SoulSurvivorX2]

☞ Very cool... looking forward to learning some knot tying skills. :)

[@ForvoQuizlet]

Ever seen a Trucker's Hitch station? Would be curious to see.

[@ForeIndication]

Mind reader you are, I imagine a hitching post type of thing with enough distance between the uprights to do what is required. I am envisioning something similar to this but with an area to accommodate the truckers hitch. That would work well for other "Cinching Knots" as well.

[@KenGray]

do the bowline one handed that should cut some time off.

[@timetravellingbunny3952]

Bowline is pronounced bo-lin. In 1950 my grandfather taught me to tie a "bo-lin". In 1961 in the US Navy the knot was referred to as a "bo-lin". The American Heritage Dictionary, 1993 (prior to the introduction of the graphical webbrowser) indicates the pronunciation as "bo-lin". There is no denying the knot was used on the bow of a ship. It is pronounced "bo-lin". Yes, it's a nautical term. Boatswain's Mate is also a nautical term. If you pronounce it any way other than 'bosuns mate" you will show your ignorance. Bowline is pronounced "bo-lin". You do young men a disservice by insisting otherwise.

[@ricobane2898]

Thank you for sharing, it was called a "bo-lin in 70's scouting when I learned "the life saving knot".

[@timetravellingbunny3952]

@@ricobane2898 Sure. I will use a bowline if other people will have to handle a line. In situations where only I will be handling the lines, I have come to prefer the Double Dragon. It is more fun to tie. I find it aesthetically more pleasing. It is less likely to spill than the bowline. The Alpine Butterfly, also, falls into my preferred knot category for a loop in the center of a line. It, too, is fun to tie and is aesthetically pleasing.

[@hunterkogelman3558]

That’s just the prescriptive approach to it. Almost every knot in existence has about 20 different names and they all morph and change over time. If you understand what someone is talking about when they say “bowline” instead of “bo-lin”, then they’ve successfully communicated with you. Everyone I know who knows how to tie the knot calls it by either name. Most people know how it’s pronounced, they just choose not to say it correctly.

[@timetravellingbunny3952]

@@hunterkogelman3558 "That's just the prescriptive approach to it." Yes, it is. When safety or lives are at stake, prescriptive terminology can be crucial. "Bowline" may be acceptible on a family camping trip. It can result in a confusing or deadly waste of time on a boat or ship at sea.

[@ricobane2898]

@@timetravellingbunny3952 Great point thank you. I feel bad for the youtube generation as most of their knowledge is from untrained, inexperienced hobbyists. I believe the "boob tube" brought society to its knees, and the internet will succeed in just about killing it off entirely.

[@johnchristopherrobert1839]

Some of those scouts are really fast with the knots. I believe the 13sec record

[@AbNomal621]

You tied the taut-line and two half hitches wrong. When tying the finishing half hitch do NOT reverse the direction the running end takes around the rope.

[@SimulantSlumber]

Nice ideas - but wood glue should have been sufficient for the posts with no screw necessary. Wood glue actually holds more weight than screws, especially since you're screwing into the end grain. It's not really going to support anything.

[@jpg901c]

I was wondering that same thing. Cheers to the first reply in 7 years!! :-)

[@aaron6983007]

If you're looking to cut down your time, tie the clove hitch with two quick opposing loops (looks like an 8) and slip it on the end of the pipe. Save you a second or two. I know you'll say I'm cheating, but I'm just thinking of saving time if you can go over the end.

[@timetravellingbunny3952]

A response to my comment has brought me back three years later. I see I should add: As I have detailed elsewhere here, there is a correct pronunciation for the word 'bowline'. It is "bo-lin". Any mispronunciation could lead to ridicule at best, and possibly to dangerous misunderstanding on a job site (e.g, the US Navy). Any ridicule would underscore the importance of correct pronunciation in such a context.

[@panacchai]

Thank you for pronouncing "bowline" correctly!

[@timetravellingbunny3952]

The bowline knot is pronounced "bo-lin". It is often tied at the end of the bow line.

[@chrisxx012]

What state and the name of the summer camp for boys Scouts did you learn to make this knot tying station? I am building 1 for my Troop and I am building one to take to my Round Table. I am an assistant scoutmaster of troop 57 Mexico Missouri. Trying to get some information so where I get my demonstration at the Round Table I have the knowledge I need. Thank you very much

[@MSChadmin]

I know it wouldn't look as nice, but if you want an easier and cheaper (plus stowable) version of this, make it out of PVC piping.

[@DesertKnifeGuru]

Awesome ! DKG

[@OnRappel]

Stop being so stubborn...it's BO LYN knot. :-)

[@ITStactical]

We've got something like that :) /watch?v=SRHk1Rz5M-U ~ Bryan

[@StevenElling]

Too many "um", "uh" and "mm" that are distracting not too mention annoying.

[@zoez2490]

When drilling the holes WHY THE HELL did you keep stopping to measure the depth with a piece of dowelling?!?! Just put tape around your drill bit to the depth you require. Such a time saver if you use a braincell or two. I'm a girl & even I know that.

[@808kiwi]

Good for you.