Jul 31, The Bowline Knot

by Steve Nicolini

The bowline knot is one of the few essential knots to know for wilderness survival, rescue, and maritime applications. The strength of this knot is unparalleled. It is at least centuries old. The first documentation of the bowline was found in John Smith’s 17th century journals. He claimed that the sails of his ship would break before the knot came undone. There is also rumor of the knot being used in ancient Egypt.

The bowline is used to create a fixed loop at the end of a rope or line. A fixed loop will not increase or decrease in size with tension or slack applied to the line. Rope may be passed around or through an object in the tying of the knot. A rope will retain 60-70% of its strength at the location of the bowline.

The bowline knot is used for setting up a tarp shelter, tying a string to the bow of a bow-drill fire making kit, attaching a string to an archery bow, rescuing a person from water or a crevasse, tying up a bear bag, or any other

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