How to Remove a Knot From any Snatch or Tow Strap and Rope

[@elrobo3568]

I was a truck driver and if you use soapy water it lubricates the strap without harming it. In the military we had to do this all the time and tried to educate the new troops not to pull on knotted straps. Thanks.

[@chuckgrenci6404]

I was thinking soapy water myself; you can always rinse out the soap after extracting the knot(s).

[@martinbuilt]

Thank you, that's a great idea.😉

[@tonylocke1214]

I’ve done it with engine oil and tyre levers. Lots of ways to do it, but patience is key.

[@whyis45stillalive]

I was going to post the same thing. Soap is the key. I learned, from the Motor Pool guys, when i was in the Army. The more you have to beat on it, the more potential damage you can do to the threads.

[@randallkornholio2971]

There is something called a marlin spike that is made for untying knots. Use that instead of a screwdriver.

[@benisplayin]

I have gotten these knots as a thank you for loaning someone my straps. I have learned that if you want a new strap back just hand it back to the borrower and tell them to bring it back the way it was loaned. LOL

[@williesnyder2899]

@benidplainin: EXACTLY!! Ignorance/carelessness has a cost…

[@jeffarcher400]

There's a sailing tool called a marlinspike but you can use anything pointed like a large nail or Phillips screwdriver. It should have a rounded tip so be careful if you don't file it a bit. Gently working it into the knot along the strap forces it open. Poke one side then the other. The marlinspike is tapered but you can use bigger tools as you create space. You're basically prying it open from the inside of the knot.

[@antonhuman8446]

Good comment. Thanks.

[@BurtReynoldstash]

⁠​⁠@@jeffbrinkerhoff5121both can be used to loosen knots up or loosening the strands to make a splice etc I think he’s referring to the pocket knife marlin spikes. The best type are George Ibberson Sheffield steel Yachtsman's knife with a straight edge marlin spike. I have a beautiful one with a thumb hole on the blade.

[@EJBert]

I was thinking that too!

[@johnarnold893]

First thing that came to mind was a marlin spike, all that smashing with a hammer seems like it might damage the rope. The navy has been using marlin spikes for hundreds of years to deal with ropes.

[@johnarnold893]

@@jeffbrinkerhoff5121 When I was in the Naval Reserves why back when the large spike used to splice various kinds of rope were called marlin spikes.

[@fredkeller3813]

Hello Milo, thanks for the encouraging walk by!

[@K3NnY_G]

Video liked on the basis of Milo alone. Spud wrench with the end for aligning holes makes a world of difference getting into the wraps and relieving tension in the knot.

[@motomuso]

That's one cool cat, Milo! Not afraid of the banging and a-pounding.

[@radmanfly]

My cat would be clinging to the ceiling!

[@west_park7993]

cats dont care about angle grinder throwing 15 ft sparks.

[@steveaumann6335]

I worked construction for 40 years and never saw that done, thanks for sharing your knowledge 👍👍.

[@archmasterone]

That is by far the tightest snatch I've ever seen.

[@tc0427874353]

@@archmasterone and that's the funniest thing I've ever heard!

[@Finally_Retired_10-7]

Dead blow hammers are a necessity in numerous situations. I gained enormous respect for their ability to firmly seat items being milled held firmly in an Angle-lock vice. The no bounce back feature is great when close tolerances are required.

[@martinbuilt]

Yeah they work great also for building a fire pit that I just got done, help set the blocks into the dirt.

[@threeriversforge1997]

Good job! I was rooting for you the whole time! Getting knots out of rope and strap is always a pain. For those going outdoors or working around the shop, I highly recommend the Ashley Book of Knots for the great wisdom he collected in there. We've forgotten much about how our ancestors did things, and it wasn't really that long ago! Knots and pulleys, how to set them up, and a hundred different ways to use them.... if our grandfathers could raise a big ol' ship out of the water for yearly maintenance, that says a lot! And we can use the same techniques to easily get stumps out of the ground, move heavy machinery around the shop, and lash things to the bed or trailer. Keep up the great work!

[@martinbuilt]

Thank you, I appreciate that. I was determined to get that knot out. Thanks for commenting and watching have a great new year.

[@markfisher7962]

Or sling elephants. Folks who have read Ashley know what I mean.

[@pgnandt]

Yes. The bowline knot is thought to have been first mentioned in John Smith's 1627 work A Sea Grammar under the name Boling knot.

[@williesnyder2899]

@threeriversforge: How correct you are!! Thanks!! I’ve had my ABOK since 1973-4, and have been a member of the International Guild of Knot-Tyers (IGKT) for about twenty years. The IGKT was founded in 1983(?) by five(?) esteemed English men due to a newspaper publishing “the first new knot,” a Dr. Hunter had invented/discovered a “bend” a connecting knot, which he dubbed “Hunter’s Bend.” (It’s always amazed many that a newspaper would care to publish an article on a knot, but I am greatly appreciative that they did!!) As the five guys couldn’t find the knot In Ashley’s book, and although the bend resembled the Zeppelin Knot, they decided to (paraphrasing Geoffrey Budsworth or Des Pawson…) “meet up regularly to mess about socially with knots and such…” IGKT produces a quarterly publication, Knotting Matters, has reprinted Clifford W. Ashley’s prior work, care of his daughter Phoebe, whom Ashley mentions early in ABOK, and maintains a library of knot-related papers, articles, books, etc. They (“we,” I guess…) sell books, publish papers, and maintain a free website of information/ideas/advice/debate related to all things “knotting.” If memory serves me as serving serves a ship line…Des Pawson, OME, has published a research paper on the sundry fids, marlinespikes, marlinspikes, heaving irons and such which were made and marketed in the time of sail at sea. The Ashley Book of Knots remains my very favorite tome about knots!! I have quite a collection, as most knot tyers (English spelling) do, but I love the history lesson, the lore, the provenance, the etiology, the quirkiness, the side notes, and the thousands of drawings by C.W. Ashley!! As he wrote, as you know, “If you can tie one knot, you can tie another.” Keep tying Brother!! Now…..if I can teach this electronic device to cease changing “knot” to “knit,” as it just did AGAIN(!), and “fid” to “god,” “did,” or “food,” I’d be a bit more pleased…

[@threeriversforge1997]

@@williesnyder2899 Wondeful to meet you, sir! You're spot on the money regarding Mr.Ashley's book. I have several books on knots, but I've never seen anything that compares to the ABOK in terms of sheer joy to read. I've found the Knotting Knots channel here on YT to be rather enjoyable for instruction, the proprietor an IGKT member and all around pleasant fellow. The way he presents the noble art is very easy to understand and follow. That said, the one channel I always hold up for all to see is that of First Class Amateur because he shows how rope can be used around the home for everyday tasks. Too often, people only talk about rope in context of camping, boating, or decorative stuff, and that tends to make folks feel like those are the only ways to use rope. It's very refreshing to see FCA so dedicated to the use of rope. As he often says, "Rope will do what a Ratchet Strap does, but a Ratchet Strap won't do what Rope does." Wise words, and something he proves with every video. We need more gents like him, honestly. I look forward to every video he posts because I just never know what new thing I'll learn. Around the home, there's always a use for line if we'll just think it through.

[@AdventuresofGraywolf]

I have a marlin spike on a knife I had on my old sailboat. Works much easier if you just soak the knot in clothing softener and water for a bit before you slide the spike inside the knot. Also doesn't damage the knot/rope/strap as much

[@bevfitzsimmonds3382]

Dish soap would do less damage to the fibres, as fabric softener breaks the fibres down! 🙂👍

[@robertdiamondoil2384]

I’ve seen racket straps with knots luckily non of mine have knots, but this is good to know

[@mickgerard6696]

That is awesome! I have a fantastic strap that I bought 25 years ago. The second time it was used was when I loaned it too a couple buddies. Came back with a knot just like yours. I can’t wait to go get it out of the shed and work on it. Thank you!

[@johnnycampbell3422]

I'm all for maintaining stuff for a lifetime. I will mention the strap material actually degrades over time. 25 years is +25% reduced strength

[@williamcarter4242]

And you kept it ,all these years for such a time as this.. sometimes it’s difficult to throw a good strap away

[@dalehood1846]

@Mickgerard, Unfortunately, I found that loaning tools and other things out is never a good idea. Too often, these " people" forget to return it. All the best and may God bless.

[@tomlord4469]

@@dalehood1846 Yes I have lost a few tools from loaning them out. But the enjoyment of helping others out is worth the price.

[@martinbuilt]

I'm glad you liked it and found it helpful Good luck with that knot. Thank you for watching 🙂

[@JerryBlack-gy9ds]

I have used a couple pair of large needle nose pliers to work strap knots loose. Thanks for sharing. Lots of good tips in the comments too. Milo definitely isn’t a scaredy cat.

[@JelMain]

As a ropeworker, we use fids, steel spikes with either a blunt nose or a sharp one - the blunt usually, as it wont cause damage. That strop's folded in half, offering a channel which can be forced open. You're also losing a lot of energy to friction between the flat surfaces.

[@rudygeorgiamulesandcountry1594]

Try getting a knot out of a.plastic shopping bag !

[@georgevindo]

@@rudygeorgiamulesandcountry1594 I've opened lots of them by twisting an end and pushing it into the knot. I've opened a lot of knots in very fine gold chains too, with a couple of needles and patience.

[@RochelleCooley-s4o]

I was wondering if anyone out there had heard of the fid. Remembered it from boy scouts🤔

[@960wattoffgridrv]

if you don't have a dead blow mallet, you can hit the knot with a piece of scrap wood and a hammer. you can also use a liquid soap or detergent as a lubricant to make the knot come loose with a little less effort. I use tow straps and luckily I've never had a knot get that tight yet. I found a semi trailer snatch strap that doesn't have loops on the ends. I would have to tie it onto whatever I need to pull or winch out. I have used a strap to yank a dent out before. The thing is to avoid fraying or tearing the strap. I'm impressed at how fast you were able to get the knot out of the strap

[@gnarlyandy1]

I had to make sure in the comments someone said this. A piece of wood and a metal hammer.

[@ypaulbrown]

Bravo....the feeling you get when the knot starts going apart is always great....that dead blow has steel or lead shot in it, not sand....

[@coryfogle5353]

It depends on how heavy the dead blow hammer is.

[@raycatlin3554]

More efficient flow of energy directed to the target area .

[@SteveMacSticky]

What is the dead blow mallet used for? Not heard of it before

[@dubmob151]

​@@SteveMacStickyused when you don't want to dent what you're hammering on and minimize the rebound from regular hammers bouncing off the surface, so all the energy is transferred more effectively with a gradual impact.

[@SteveMacSticky]

@@dubmob151 thanks

[@Marandal]

Very useful! I don't need a rope untied right now, but when i do i'll know how. Thanks Man!

[@martinbuilt]

I'm glad you liked it and found it helpful.

[@stephentresca3536]

Nice work. I think you showed your persistence to get it out was the best part.

[@luke_skywanker7643]

Bravo!!! Yes, after watching you emerge triumphant over that knot, I would agree that you are probably one of the most tenacious rascals I've seen in years. I to, however, think a hardwood (or bronze) fid would help a lot, too, in loosening a knot that tight. Congratulations! Well done! (I'll be sending you a barrel of knotted ropes that have befuddled me for years.)

[@David-hm9ic]

Good save. Fabric softener added to the water can be helpful in lubricating the strap or line. A small (10") spud wrench or ironworker's wrench has a long tapered handle that could be used as a large marlinspike. One time I had a manager rake me over the coals for wasting time removing a knot from 1" 3 strand nylon line that was part of a chain and nylon tow rope. We had one in every company vehicle. It was far tighter than the knot in your strap so no way to remove it so I cut it out and spiced it. As a recreational sailor, splicing was no big deal to me. I just didn't want to be stuck in the show and ice and have that line break trying to get towed out. That was long before safety has been elevated to the status it has today but I still should have thrown down a "safety card" on him instead of just taking the butt chewing. A single overhand knot in 3 strand nylon reduces its strength by 55%. I haven't seen data on what it does to the strength of a strap.

[@blowinsmokeupyour]

how about data on strength lost to cutting & splicing the rope

[@nocomment5175]

​@justinb6821 A splice done correctly should be the equal or better of the original. A splice done incorrectly or one not intended for the material is not trustworthy. A Naval lifer once told me that in his world, trust was everything. You didn't have to like someone, but you'd better be able to trust him with your life, because you often did. A knot (or splice) was just as important.

[@williesnyder2899]

@nocomment5175: SO TRUE!! Thanks!!

[@freeplayfrank7736]

Well done thanks. I twist one side of the strap or rope to make it as small as possible and try to push it through the knot, seems to work well, but your way works too, I will try it next time.

[@jfu5222]

Pushing always works better than prying.

[@ludodg]

Thank you, sir. That’s some simple but very effective advice. I learned something for life today: soapy water and a hammer.

[@paulf1071]

Warm soapy water, a big-friendly-hammer style mallet..... but don't forget the sprinkle of patience, and a dash of perseverance!

[@ddselvig]

I had that happen once, but i wasn't doing a snatch, just a gradual pull. Didn't need to to extraordinay means to get the knot out. Glad to see your post. Now I know all is not lost if I ever get one of those seemingly impossible knots.

[@geovelos747]

Love this. I've got a 30' towstrap still attached to our daughter's tow bolt from the front of her Kia from about 3 yrs. ago that I couldn't undo. Going to try this in the next couple days and try and give her the big eye bolt back. Tried everything else, might as well give this a whirl. Thanks for the post! I also just subscribed.

[@martinbuilt]

Thanks for sharing and subscribing. Good luck with that knot.

[@rodneypate1693]

Helpful and informative. Thank you 😁

[@martinbuilt]

I'm glad you liked it, thank you for watching.😁

[@freedom1028]

Kneeling on concrete with no padding. You must be in good shape. 😂 Great video!

[@brigcastle]

I'd like to see the part where he tried to stand up! 😁

[@martinbuilt]

Thank you I'm glad you liked.😁

[@martinbuilt]

Thank you I'm glad you liked.😁

[@martinbuilt]

@@brigcastle Milo helped me up.😆

[@JimHerman-o3q]

Good shape....... kneeling like he is here is asking for circulation issues later on. Even blood clots. Varicose veins. etc. My father milked cows for 40 years squatting / kneeling like this. After being kicked in the knees by the cows . He ended up with new knees at the age of 65. I also milked cows for 46 years. I always kneeled on one knee....pulled myself up using the cows hip bone. I also ran marathons from age 20 till ages 50. Guess Im lucky.....no knee problems " yet " ! ! Never fold your legs as he is here !!!!!!!

[@dustinolson9032]

I know that fight well. I like the attitude "I'm gonna win this".

[@romandybala]

Well done. If you added a little liquid dish soap to water it would make for less friction in knot.Hammer worked really well.

[@davidn8759]

Was wondering if using warm or hot water would help ?

[@georgevindo]

@@davidn8759 Hot water is less viscous than cold so it would penetrate faster.

[@MrWatsonComeHere]

I just spent 7 minutes watching someone untie a knot… how exciting is my life haha. Nice technique.

[@joemcdonald4654]

I don't have a life either 😂

[@daviddoucet2220]

He beat that strap like it owed him money‼️

[@martinbuilt]

I'm sure it looked that way but I was fast-forwarding through that part of the video. 🤣 Thank you for watching.

[@jussikolehmainen6310]

I came up opening knots like this by myself. Great to see its more common practice. Not sure does it help but I used hot water and regular metal hammer. Hate to have knots in tow straps but this trick changed it.

[@4windstfj]

I CAN'T BELIEVE I JUST WATCHED THIS. DOES LIFE GET ANY SADDER?

[@robertpotvin8872]

it apears that you do not work,with those strap verry often,,lolll,some times ,in some situations ,you have to make a knot,, not the ideal way to use strap, but if you have too,then you will see that these knots are verry hard to undoo,without proper method, avoiding to damage them,,,🤔😉✌

[@chrisw9399]

and yet here you are

[@quantumleap359]

I've used a dull pointed steel rod to help open up very tight knots. Knots that others have given up on. You just don't want to injure the individual fibers, take your time and work it, work it work it! Soapy water helps a lot too. Good video.

[@denslod2930]

To stop a knot or choker from getting tight, I put a short piece wood or limb in the knot. We did that on heavy construction.

[@richardjames4632]

Prevention is better than cure; you can also use a small magazine or folded newspaper rolled into a sort of cylinder. put in "inside" the knot or between two straps that you want to join temporarily. works wonders.

[@313TECHNO]

good advice. Milo is not even phased by you hammering. I like how he comes over to investigate.

[@martinbuilt]

I'm glad you liked it. yeah Milo us something else is one of the coolest cats I've ever had. When most planes go by it doesn't faze him too much unless it's a turbine fan driven engine.

[@tommylitchfield3450]

This is a good, useful video. It's good to point out that a knot weakens the strap and makes a failure point. I have found that wetting the knot with some dish washing soap will make your knot slip easier, but it also makes it tougher to hold on to. You could soap her down before the hammer work, then when the soap is worked down into the really tight spots, and hammered on a bit, you could rinse the knot in your bucket of water.

[@ScoutPL]

Nice job. At about 5 minutes I was frustrated enough for you to want to kick in $5 to the pot for a new strap. Glad you got it fixed!

[@rcar9115]

I'm a girl who likes this type of thing and you did a great job with it. Subscribed!

[@ke3552]

A flat blade screwdriver or two (no sharp edges) has worked for me more than once. The aforementioned marlinspike made made smile as I hadn't heard that in quite a while.

[@rknight7509]

Hi Martin you have had the strap for 25 years and gave it lots of hard work I think you have had your money's worth these are the one that brake and kill people GET A NEW ONE 😁😁

[@vincentchaza8111]

This is for some of us who happen to to have that one strap & are in a tight spot.

[@brianward3944]

I have a knotted strap just like that. It's probably been knotted for close to 30yrs. You're video gave me hope. Thanks

[@martinbuilt]

That sounds good. I would even suggest adding a little dish soap to the water. Good luck.

[@Three7T-Design]

Nice work, and the shop is looking good. Good to see a visit from your coworker Milo there too. Keep it up, I always enjoy learning something new from you

[@t.h.o.r.]

I do all you do- but I use a phillips screwdriver to get the loop starting to move . Its a 2 minute job no matter how tight they get. Thanks for showing

[@jimbridger1834]

Good job! May I recommend a marlin spike or fid to help the process?

[@ronfox5519]

Those are a big help. Better yet, put the spike in before the knot is tight if a knot can't be avoided.

[@akghound]

We delt with this often on the old commercial fishing boats. You beat me to the mention of a Fid.

[@camperchris6639]

Use hitches instead of knots The Bowline, the clove hitch.. I can't remember the other hitch but when tied correctly they untie easily

[@stuartkcalvin]

01:15 that's called a soft drift, in Australia. A Hawser spike is used by navies around the world to create a gap in the knot, when inserted correctly, will do no damage the rope; you can get one from a ships chandler. Hammering the knot with a drift will create split fibres, lessening the life of the strap. After all that bashing, you'll get one more pull, then it'll break.

[@gdogproductions708]

You did exactly what I would have done , I felt good knowing that we are like minded . Holy smokes!

[@martinbuilt]

Yeah two self proclaimed geniuses...lol

[@theinspector1023]

Thanks for that. Very useful. UPDATE. Just taken 4 knots (don't ask) out of a flat dog lead that I'd given up on (she can pull). Didn't take too long either.

[@jeffarp7409]

I don't know if you have ever seen a Mariners knife, but they are handy for getting knots out of ropes like that. They have a tapered spike on them and a good knife. But they would definitely help with that.

[@jasonharrison25]

A marlinspike would work well too. Basically the same thing without the blade

[@sharpandloud3422]

Good luck getting enough leverage on a marlin spike large enough to even make a dent on this strap. Straps are not rope.

[@jasonharrison25]

@@sharpandloud3422 I don't know about you but it worked on mine. Same situation with a knot during a stump pull. Got it out just fine

[@UguysRnuts]

@@sharpandloud3422 Two marlinespikes, leveraged against each other, will pry the knot apart.

[@sharpandloud3422]

@@UguysRnuts 4x4 Jeep full gas on a 4” thick tow strap, but yeah, all you need is two little marlin spikes 😆

[@GRosa250]

Milo the cat was a big help. I don’t think you could’ve done it without him.

[@Jolly-Sid69]

Good idea, I'll have to check if it will work with knots in the fishing line.😉

[@martinbuilt]

I don't know about that. 🤔

[@Jolly-Sid69]

@@martinbuilt Martin, I am grateful for sharing your knowledge.👍 Sorry, my post about the fishing knot is just a joke.🙌

[@Chazd1949]

I've got a tow strap that has had a knot like that for almost fifty years. I'm going to try this tomorrow. THANKS!

[@sammyboy170]

GOOD TO SEE YOU BACK MARTIN.

[@vincentnastri7736]

Try a Merlin spike as well , it’s made for this job ! Your welcome ! 🇮🇱🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🌺💪👍

[@dave5176]

A dead blow hammer has sand in it, not to do a "pretty good job", but the sand in the hammer makes it so that it doesn't bounce when you strike something with it. That's why it's called a "dead blow" hammer.

[@neilfrasersmith]

I never knew that. Thanks.

[@jasonharrison25]

More often they have steel or lead shot not sand

[@donames6941]

Not sand steel shot i know cause i open one up by heavy use

[@whirving]

Where I live us surveyors use them to drive rebar monuments into frozen ground. Regular sledge bounces and mushrooms the end of the rebar. Works only if you have a driver over the end of the rebar so it doesn't split the plastic hammer.

[@phyl1283]

the dead blow has lead shot not sand and about 1/2 inch of space for the shot to move.

[@InformationIsTheEdge]

Dude! You are a hero! That was as tight a knot as I've ever seen and you TOTALLY crushed it!

[@martinbuilt]

Thank you. I really appreciate that. Yeah, that was an extremely tight knot, and I even had my doubts. If it were to happen again, I would probably try hot water with dish soap. I'm glad you liked it and found it helpful.

[@InformationIsTheEdge]

@@martinbuilt Wow! A note from the man himself! Thank you! If my lady wanted me out of the way for a while, she'd hand me her jewelry box and ask if I could un-knot some of her necklace chains. I would disappear for hours hunched over chain after chain. So I especially appreciated your giant one. 😄

[@pauljs75]

If you see any surface glazing or some other change in roughness where the knot was, that's still going to be a weaker spot in the strap. By how much, who knows? (I suppose trusting it depends on its application in the scheme of things.) So it's not like taking the knot out will make it just like it was before. It takes out that stress point, but any damage already done isn't going to be undone.

[@alanjohnson3148]

The strap will have lost a significant amount of strength through being struck many times.

[@johnchampion7819]

I think most of the comments below offer better solutions, so your video was worth watching.

[@jamescoleman7830]

I admire your determination, ... I am curious to know if you had gotten the stump out?

[@martinbuilt]

Not on that attempt but later I did. Got one more to go. This weekend it's going to happen.

[@markk3652]

Use that strap as a choke around the stump, run the free end of the strap over the top of a good tire/wheel combination, when the jeep tensions it, the tire/wheel pulls straight up. This works great for pulling out fence posts too.

[@clarkg9805]

Nice, I feel your relief on that one, thanks for the lesson.

[@knotbumper]

Once a knot has happened even if you remove the knot the material is significantly reduced. Hammering no matter what you use does also do damage. In the4 world of rigging, that strap is trash. It will probably work for recovery, but not for any load requiring rated straps. Pounding takes the grit obviously in and on the strap and just adds to the abrasive action.

[@antonhuman8446]

Great comment!

[@jboat571x9]

You think maybe that’s why he specified “SNATCH” in the TITLE OF THE VIDEO??? Geez.

[@knotbumper]

@@jboat571x9 And doing what he did still degrades the strength of the line. I was only pointing out the work safety issues. Not the safety issues with recreation when it pops and takes your head off.

[@terryshrives8322]

Jesus…SHUT UP!

[@khofakyerself]

Your self admission of being stubborn made me laugh and got you a subscriber. God bless!

[@horacerumpole6912]

Put it in a vise and drive a marlingspike under a wrap-

[@cashewABCD]

Now i need a truck for finding my keys and I'll be 100% ready. Lol. Good to see people fixing things, nice work

[@northerniltree]

You can get more slack in the strap by reattaching it to the jeep and putting it in reverse.

[@morgansword]

I did this with cable lines... but there you need the steel hammer... and you are right about any other kinds of materials that have a knot in them

[@kr8219]

Still seems like wailing on that knot with a hammer would create a weakness greater than the knot itself. 😱

[@pwollerman]

I just pulled down some shade sails that have been hammered by gale force gust strong enough to shake the house. Several knots I cut from the cords could have been saved if I’d seen this yesterday! Thanks

[@joelee2371]

LOSE THE HAMMER! Hammering the knot will damage the fibers and weaken the rope or strap. Use a marlin spike or fid to work the knot from all sides. It will open the knot up without damage if you are careful not to puncture the fabric. As you gain a little space in the knot, then go at it from another side; don't try to open it all up from just one side. Be patient and you will get there. This is the way sailors and riggers have been foing it for hundreds of years. You will never see a sailor or rigger hammering a knot. In the future, pay more attention; it's a lot easier to untie a knot before it's tensioned than after.

[@robbis7004]

Yes This is crazy!

[@brown7811]

patience is a virtue,good job ol timer,Thank You

[@davereid3708]

I always tie a bowline both ends for towing or pulling .Rarely even a bowline ceases up and your method would help get it free !Thankyou

[@safaricartvideos]

You're a better man than me, I would have pulled out a pair of channel locks about 2 min into that battle.

[@antonhuman8446]

Never-say-never! Experience makes fools wise. I have an insatiable craving to learn everything of everything. All day long. And have just not seen this before. The pounding with a dead-head hammer is a very good answer. And quick. Comment from elrobo about adding soap is practical as well. Thanks!

[@1964markw10]

Can't believe I watched a guy beat on a strap with a hammer for 7 minutes, but it was well worth the time to learn how to get a knot out like that.

[@dwaynemcallister7231]

You just gotta believe! Good job you are more patient than many.

[@Georgecobb-s1v]

Thanks. This is very helpful because I have a tow strap with several knots which have been waiting years to get untangled!

[@martinbuilt]

I'm glad you liked it and found it helpful. Good luck with those knots, and thank you for watching.

[@davemoyer505]

Thanx for the tip. I’m always knotting straps. One thing I do have is stubborness, so I will endeavor to persevere!👍🇺🇸❤️

[@arthurdunn1452]

Top job mate,Had some wet weather here in Australia,ha 3 tow jobs, I have John Deere 5083 4x4 83 hp with neighbours, 2. 4x4 utes and 1 10 tonne truck,all bogged to the diffs in sandy granite, no trouble to get them out,I parked on solid ground ran straps and chains out for up to 70 mtres, however I had to loop 2 joins like you hah done, I managed to free 1 up, put the other in a vice but no go.I will try your mthod with a heavy rubber on a block of wood,wet it first and see how I go.Thanks mate for the tip I will let you know what happen. Australia 🇦🇺

[@martinbuilt]

Good luck with that knot. I'm confident with this method you'll get it out. Thank you for watching.

[@James-ke5sx]

Thanks for making this video. It got me to order a Marlin Spike that have been sitting in my Amazon cart for a while and when I went to order it just now there was only two left for $13 each compared to a Myerchin Marlin Spike which sell for $65 each and they are exactly 100% the same.

[@quietknight8250]

Nice job Martin, a clear demonstration that it can be done.

[@martinbuilt]

Thank you I'm glad you liked it and found it helpful.

[@harryhoover915]

I found that the water really helps as the cloth absorbs the water and expands.

[@glazeddonutsuperhero7666]

I don’t own a tow strap or a Jeep. I likely will have no use for this information in the future. Yet, this was a very interesting video to watch. 😂 Love the determination! 👍

[@martinbuilt]

Thank you I'm glad you liked it. Thank you for watching 😁

[@JohnNy-ni9np]

You can twist the strap at the knot, this will make the strap stiffer and smaller, then push it out of the loop knot.

[@leebennett3672]

I am always fussy about knitted straps and careful but never knew this thanks for posting 👍

[@martinbuilt]

I'm glad you liked it and found it helpful thank you for watching.😊

[@mikestaff3042]

Haha the cat is so chill..barely blinks at the hammer pounding

[@Helga____]

Good for you ✊🏻☺️ I love people that are patient, persistent and take a positive view on things, and you, Sir, did a great job on this. Love your attitude ☺️❤️ This was fun and I learned something

[@martinbuilt]

Thank you I really appreciate that I'm glad you liked it and found it helpful and thank you for watching. ☺️

[@dalehammond1749]

Thanks much. I found a great strap at a garage sale and it has a knot in the middle. That's probably why the guy sold it cheap. Thanks

[@richsimcoe2683]

Tools can help or hurt. It all depends on the craftsman. The mallet can damage fibers as quickly as the wrong prying bar. More water may have helped with freeing your knot

[@Hyperbole77]

Algo sent me here and I was knot disappointed. Well done.

[@martinbuilt]

I'm glad you liked it and found it helpful..😆

[@dntlss]

I work in a shop and we have tons of straps,from the kind that can pick up the Queen Mary to the very little ones,people dont realize how expensive these things can be, you gotta take care of them,i have fought these knots for awhile before,lots of fun,it sure is a good feeling when you finally see it coming apart,lol

[@martinbuilt]

Thank you for the comments, I really appreciate the understanding that is worth the time and effort to save Thank you for watching.

[@mr19471985]

Thanks for showing me how to undo my knots in my straps.

[@autotek7930]

I'm here to comment on the cat and it also seems like all the youtubers i like have a cat lol. I only have ten indoor cats, i love em all and they are all over me when i get home from work. It takes about 30 minutes just to greet them all. If your an offroad or jeep guy and have cats your automatically a good person in my opinion 😂

[@ohiowalnut]

To see you got happy, made it worth the struggle 😊

[@martinbuilt]

I'm glad you liked it. Thank you for watching. 😊

[@HypocriticYT]

Had a 91 Jeep, great vehicle. Loved the straight six engine

[@martinbuilt]

Yeah, that straight 6, 4.0 is bulletproof. Well-known for getting over 300000 miles plus

[@williamstansbeary8653]

Soaking the knot and squeezing it in a vise also works, as does sometimes gripping the knot in a vise and using a mallet to drive the knot apart, as you squeeze it is very effective and less taxing on your body.

[@PopsMdub]

Try soaking it in water then freeze it solid. Take it out and thaw it. The hydraulic expansion of the ice crystals will swell the knot and then it will contract when thawed, loosening the knot enough to release it with less effort. No hammering required. Did this to a rope that got several very tight knots in it. Worked like magic. Some kind of lubricant might help too, but then you're left with an oily rope, or strap, which could create a problem too.

[@cherylfarrell1638]

I was pretty cool didn’t hurt it at all. I’m glad I saw that technique. Good video. Thank you.

[@ronnielittlerock7208]

I'm sure you have practical information, but all I kept thinking was Alexander the great and the Gordian knot. He solved that knot quite nicely!

[@wjonthetrail]

Oh getting those straps very warm helps a lot Hot water on a warm or hot day makes it more playable

[@martinbuilt]

Great idea. 👍

[@dugie5246]

Did hammer trick except used pieces of thick (6×6) to pound strap. After a while, it worked

[@cayankeelord3730]

You convinced me to check all pulling straps, ropes, etc. to make sure there are no loops that will become knots in them before a tug. I had someone give me a 50 foot piece of 1/2 " wire rope/cable that has a knot in it from a stump pull with a dozer. Yeah, that's "knot" coming out of there for sure. Too bad because both ends have two nicely hyro-crimped compression sleeves with thimbles. I'm "knot" that worried about it though because I'll never get halfway near the working load rating of the cable. ( 12 ton ).

[@ReZipped]

Great video. I learned about the knotted strap business but found myself envying your knees. Super flexible man. 😁

[@martinbuilt]

Knot too bad for 61...😆