Slipped Clove Hitch

( Quick Release Clove Hitch | Slippery Hitch )

Animation: Slipped Clove Hitch

Usage

The Slipped Clove Hitch is a quick release version of the standard Clove Hitch that can be used to temporarily attach a rope to a post or railing.

History

The name Clove Hitch is given by William Falconer in his book Universal Dictionary of the Marine published in 1769. However, the knot is much older, having been tied in ratlines (rope steps) of sailing ships as early as the sixteenth century as evidenced by sculpture and paintings of the time.

Also known as

  • Quick Release Clove Hitch
  • Slippery Hitch

Related

Structure

The Slipped Clove Hitch is simply a Clove Hitch that employs a tucked bight providing a mechanism for quick release.

Strength/Reliability

The Slipped Clove Hitch is not secure and should only be used as a temporary attachment in non-critical applications. Though the Slipped Clove Hitch can be used as a binding knot, it is not particularly secure in that role.