Buntline hitch

The buntline hitch is basically a clove hitch tied around the rope's own standing part. The difference from two ordinary half hitches lies in the direction: with two half hitches you work away from the object and the end finishes on the outside. With the buntline hitch, the second turn is laid back towards the object, and the end comes out between the knot and the ring.

When the line is loaded, the standing part pulls the knot against the ring. This traps the end between the turns instead of releasing it. Especially with constant back-and-forth – flapping, slapping, short jerks – the end can hardly work its way out. The same trapping effect, however, makes the knot cinch down hard under heavy load.

Look at where the end points. In a correctly tied buntline hitch it points towards the ring or eyelet and disappears under the turn nearest the object. If the end points away from the object and lies on the outside of the knot, you have tied two half hitches – still a usable knot, but without the special trapping effect.

Dress the turns before setting so they lie neatly side by side. Then pull on the end and the standing part and slide the whole knot up to the ring. A knot that sits far from the ring leaves a small loop free at the object, which can rub and slap. The tail should stick out visibly.

The buntline hitch is ideal at points that move constantly and need to hold for a long time: a guyline at a tarp grommet that slaps in the wind, a pull cord on a bag, a grab handle, a line to a wobbling ring. It is small, neat and uses little rope.

It is unsuitable when you want to untie the knot after a heavy load – then the round turn and two half hitches is the better choice. It also cannot be tied under tension. In very thin, slick cord it can sit so tight after heavy loading that it practically has to be cut off.

The most common mistake is the wrong direction for the second turn – away from the object instead of towards it. Then the end lies outside and the knot behaves like two half hitches. Also common: the knot is not slid up to the object. Because the exact sequence is still awaiting an expert check, compare the finished knot with a reliable illustration.

Make sure the eyelet or ring has no sharp edges. Especially on metal tarp grommets a line can wear through over time, regardless of the knot. The buntline hitch is a knot for gear. Life-safety use of knots only after proper training with certified equipment.

The name comes from buntlines: lines used on old sailing ships to haul up the large square sails. These sails flogged violently in the wind, and a knot that shook loose was a real problem. The buntline hitch was the answer.

To practise, tie it to a key ring and then shake the line hard. Tie two half hitches next to it for comparison and shake them the same way. After a while you will see which knot stays neat – and you will learn to tell the difference by the direction of the end.