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The Monkey Fist is used as an end knot for a heaving line. A heaving line is a line used for throwing from one location to another. This enables a larger line that could not be thrown over the distance to be pulled over. The most common use of a heaving line is at sea, to pull a cable to shore from a ship. A cable is not easily thrown over a distance of 10m [33 ft]or more, so instead one throws a heaving line. The line is tied to the cable and when it has been received the cable can then be pulled over. To make it easier to throw one needs to connect a weight on the end of the line - usually a stone, lead-ball or a small bag of sand is connected to the end. Better still a small rope ball is tied on the end. It is neat, it will endure many tosses last long and it is easily thrown. That is what the monkey fist was originally used for. Now it is also used as fancy knot for key-rings, necklaces and so on. The knot can be done with or without a central core (i.e. a round stone or ball bearing) to add extra weight but it is recommended to use extra loops depending on the size of the object.

Other Monkey Hitch Examples:
Knots of the Month

This is a very important knot of only theoretical value. Without extra support, it is untrustworthy in any situation, except as a crossing knot. You have to learn it for scouting and at sailing schools. If you have to use it, work it up properly; pull length-wise only at both ends before you load the working end.

Other Clove Hitch Examples:
Scout Group, East Sussex, UK

The Bowline Knot is one of the most used loop knots. This variant is most used in the world. Probably due to its simplicity, security, and its relationship with the Sheet bend. Keep the cross point in step A between a finger and thumb and make a clock-wise turn with your wrist. Without the loop in between, it is the same knot. If the loop is expected to be heavily loaded, the bowline is, in fact, not secure enough. There is a rule of thumb which states that the loose end should be as long as 12 times the circumference for the sake of safety.

Other Bow Line Examples:
Scout Group, East Sussex, UK

The reef-knot is only useful in simple applications. Ashley says "it is a true Binder Knot, for which it is admirable, but under no circumstances should it be used as a bend." It is easily tied and will not jam, so it is always easy to untie. It is used to tie packages, and as a base for the shoe-bow. Sailors used it for binding rolled sails or better reefed sails. And that is where it got its English name from. Americans call it the square knot. Probably because it looks square, or because it was much used on square-rigged ships, but that is a total guess of mine. Its relatives, the granny, the thief-knot and the what-knot all have their purposes, but not as a trustful knot.

Other Reef Knot Examples:
Scout Group, East Sussex, UK

The best simple hitch for lengthwise pull. It needs to be laid very carefully and pulled firmly before loading. Never use it for right angle pull, for it will spill.

Other Rolling Hitch Examples:
Scout Group, East Sussex, UK

All knot diagrams and text courtesy of Roper's Knot Page
www.realknots.com

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