Usage
The Slipped Buntline Hitch is a knot used for attaching lines to rings, eyes, posts, rods, and railings where a compact and secure knot with a quick release is required. It is formed by looping the rope (or other tying material) around an object, then making a Clove Hitch around the rope's standing part, taking care to tie the two half-hitches that compose the clove hitch in the direction of the object, rather than away from it. Simple and effective, the Buntline Hitch dates to the age of sail, where it was used to secure buntlines to the foot of the sails on square-rigged ships. That the Buntline Hitch was the preferred knot speaks to its security and reliability. Its compact size allowed the foot of the sail to be drawn up as closely as possible to the buntline deadeyes on top of the yard. It has gained in popularity in recent years due to its performance in slippery modern synthetic lines.
Also known as
ABOK
Structure
Structurally, the Buntline Hitch is the same as the
Two Half Hitches except that the final
half hitch is on the inside of the knot and is closest to the object. The knot is appropriate when it will not need to be untied. When heavily loaded it can be difficult or impossible to untie. Due to this propensity to jam, the Buntline is often made in slipped form as shown here when a secure temporary hitch is needed.
Strength/Reliability
Secure and easily tied, the Buntline Hitch will jam when subjected to extreme loads. Once set, repeated jerking and slatting tend to tighten it further rather than loosen it. While the Buntline Hitch is considered a very secure knot, the turns of the
Clove Hitch must progress
towards the object, otherwise the much less secure
Two Half Hitches will result. Although not generally required, a round turn can first be made around the object causing the Buntline Hitch to be even less prone to slipping.
