Knots

When most of us think of knots we think of Boy Scouts. Yes, knots are still studied and used by Boy Scouts, although probably not as extensively as they once were. The heyday of knots was probably during the early to mid 19th century. Whaling ships plied the high seas and horses were still the primary means of transportation and moving goods across land.

But the truth is knots are everywhere around us. We only need to look at this partial list of professions and activities to see how knots are still used today.

Arborists
Ballooning
Basket Weaving
Bookbinders
Bookmaking
Butchers
Camping
Candle making
Carpenter
Caving
Climbing
Crochet
Dressmaking
Falconers
Farmers
Farrier
Fishing
Horse Riding
Horse Roping
Jeweler
Kumihimo
Macramé
Magic
Mountaineering
Prospector
Ranchers
Record Keeping
Rescue
Rigging
Sailing
Shipping
Steeplejack
Surgeons
Surveyors
Tatting
Transportation
Trapper
Trucking
Weavers
Whip Making

This is only a partial list and I am sure we could add many more.

Knot use ranges from the recreational to the decorative to life critical. Rescuers, and the lives of the people they rescue, depend upon the security of the knots they tie. If a surgeon was to improperly tie a knot, or use the wrong knot, it could prove fatal for the patient.

Many people today still study and learn knots. In this column, I will discuss a range of knots and rope, cord and small stuff. From general knots that everyone should know to specialized knots only used by few people.

Welcome to the Knot Blog! I will be blogging all about knots, knotting, cord and paracord. From common knots to sailing knots and all knots in between.