Uploaded January 2020 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
The taut line hitch is a friction-type hitch that can be tied on a rope that is under tension. It's also an adjustable knot. That makes is a useful camping knot, especially when rain-flies for tarps are being tied down.
The taut line hitch, however, should not be used if there is considerable strain on the rope, since there is the potential that it could slip under large forces. Taut line knots should also only be used in ropes that handle bends and turns easily. Many of the newer ropes, like climbing ropes, do not hold the taut line hitch well. Feel free to use the time-codes here to skip the the pertinent section of the video:
Intro: 0:37
First Demo: 1:00
Second Demo: 1:42
Variation (Midshipman): 2:31
Variation (Clove Hitch): 2:47
Example of bad rope to use with the taut line hitch: 3:14
Recap: 4:10
Courses and Gear at: StoneAgeMan.com
A big thanks to all current and future patrons who are helping fund this science and filmmaking outreach via Patreon: bit.ly/2Sfmkph
If you want to see how we do the videos we have a channel dedicated to video Edu: youtube.com/robnelsonfilms
On Social --------------
Instagram: instagram.com/untamedscience (Jonas @behindthescience)
Twitter: twitter.com/untamedscience
Facebook: facebook.com/untamedscience
Website: untamedscience.com
Jonas and I are creating a whole series of how-to-filmmaking videos to get you started. Here is the first video: bit.ly/2AcYvHJ and our book: amzn.to/2zV88LS
Help us create amazing, world reaching content by translating and transcribing videos on our channel: bit.ly/2Crnjgu
The taut line hitch is a friction-type hitch that can be tied on a rope that is under tension. It's also an adjustable knot. That makes is a useful camping knot, especially when rain-flies for tarps are being tied down.
The taut line hitch, however, should not be used if there is considerable strain on the rope, since there is the potential that it could slip under large forces. Taut line knots should also only be used in ropes that handle bends and turns easily. Many of the newer ropes, like climbing ropes, do not hold the taut line hitch well. Feel free to use the time-codes here to skip the the pertinent section of the video:
Intro: 0:37
First Demo: 1:00
Second Demo: 1:42
Variation (Midshipman): 2:31
Variation (Clove Hitch): 2:47
Example of bad rope to use with the taut line hitch: 3:14
Recap: 4:10
Courses and Gear at: StoneAgeMan.com
A big thanks to all current and future patrons who are helping fund this science and filmmaking outreach via Patreon: bit.ly/2Sfmkph
If you want to see how we do the videos we have a channel dedicated to video Edu: youtube.com/robnelsonfilms
On Social --------------
Instagram: instagram.com/untamedscience (Jonas @behindthescience)
Twitter: twitter.com/untamedscience
Facebook: facebook.com/untamedscience
Website: untamedscience.com
Jonas and I are creating a whole series of how-to-filmmaking videos to get you started. Here is the first video: bit.ly/2AcYvHJ and our book: amzn.to/2zV88LS
Help us create amazing, world reaching content by translating and transcribing videos on our channel: bit.ly/2Crnjgu
