Troop 276 Knot Masters

Knot Masters helps you to learn the knots you need for advancement and keeps your skills sharp. Every Scout and Adult will enjoy participating. Here’s how it works: There are seven (7) skill levels in the program. A different color rope represents each level. Everyone starts out with a White rope. Each color change represents an increase in skill and knowledge. Skill levels are achieved one meeting or activity at a time. As Scouts learn, they will in turn teach and encourage each other. The real fun of Knotmasters is in the competition (Knotmaster Challenge). The rope becomes part of your Class A and Class B uniform. If you show up at a meeting or activity without your rope, you are allowed to wear one of the patrol’s white ropes. If you come to two meetings or activities in a row without your rope, you will automatically return to the next lower level attained. Lost ropes may be replaced for $2.00 each.

The Troop Knot Master is the final judge on all advancements. SM and ASM’s can review and OK advancements until enough Knot Master Scouts become familiar with the program.
Patrol Method should be used. Patrol Leaders will report advancements to the Troop Knot Master. All knots on the skill level you are seeking must be demonstrated along with the proper purpose.
You are allowed to keep the white rope, however all other ropes must be exchanged for your new level.
When you are able to tie all of the knots and know their purpose, then you may trade in your current level rope color for the next higher level color until all levels are completed.
Challenge - You may challenge a fellow scout to tie a knot at or below their current level. Only one challenge per person per day is allowed. You must be equal too or above the person you are challenging.
If you cannot tie the knots relating to your competency you cannot change to a higher level until the next meeting or activity.
You are only allowed two attempts to demonstrate your knowledge of the knot.
You can only advance 1 level per meeting or troop event.
Any Scout or Adult can challenge the knot tying ability of any other scout or adult at any time except during the business part of a troop or patrol meeting
If caught hitting or striking a person with the rope, you will automatically loose 1 level. Caught twice and you will forfeit your right to participate in the program.
If there is any dispute/disagreement, Knotmasters are the final judges at all times.
To introduce a new knot (not on this list) you must provide a detail drawing demonstrating how to tie the knot along with its purpose. These new knots will be reviewed by the Knot Master board and voted on if they should be added to the Advanced Knotmasters skill level.

The Colors and Skill Levels:

1. White – First Level (Learning)

2. Yellow – Second Level – Whip Rope, Fuse Rope, Lark’s Head Knot, Bowline (regular)

3. Green – All 1st Class Knots – All previous levels, Square Knot, Clove Hitch, Two Half Hitches, Taut-Line Hitch, Rolling Hitch, Timber Hitch, , Bowline (one handed), explain when to use all above knots.

4. Red – All 1st Class Lashings – All previous levels, Square Lash, Shear Lash, Diagonal Lash, explain when to use all above knots.

5. Blue – All previous levels, Sheet Bend, Double Sheet Bend, Slippery Sheet Bend, Figure Eight, Sheepshank, Carrick Bend, Alpine Butterfly, Mooring Hitch, Round Turn with 2 half hitches, Bowline on a Bight, explain when to use all knots.

6. Camo Knotmaster – All previous levels, Honda, Eye Splice, Draw Hitch, Fisherman’s Knot, One Optional Knot, Barrel Hitch, explain when to use all knots.

7. Black/Red Advance Knotmaster – All previous levels, Hunter’s Bend, Constrictor, Prusik, Masthead, Exploding Knot, Earned Pioneering Merit Badge, Introduce one new optional knot.

Use of Knots and Lashing (Knots and how to tie them (BSA pamphlet) ; Pioneering Merit Badge book; Scout Handbook)
Whipping	The ends of every rope should be whipped to keep them from unraveling. There are several methods of doing this. For ropes of polypropylene and other synthetic fiber, whipping may be done by applying a hot iron or flame to the ends to fuse the strands. Natural or Double Braided rope should be whipped with a smaller string. A rule of thumb is that the length of the whipping should be at least as long as the diameter of the rope.
Lark's Head	Used to loosely attach a rope to a spar or ring; for tying a line into a tarp or tent grommets. This is a knot to be avoided when a secure attachment is required as the knot will slip fairly easily along the spar.
Surgeon's	Used for tying two rope ends together, either the ends of the same rope or the ends of different ropes or the same diameter. A square knot with an extra twist. The purpose of the extra twist is to give added friction to hold until the second crossing is made.
Square	Used for tying tow rope ends together, either the ends of the same rope or the ends of different ropes of the same diameter.
Clove Hitch	Used in starting and finishing most lashings. Because it passes around an object in only one direction, it puts very little strain on the rope fibers.
Rolling Hitch	Used to tie a tope to a stake or spar; to attach a light tackle double the rope over to form a bight.
Two Half Hitches	Used for attaching a rope to a pole or boat mooring.
Taut-Line	Used to tie a tent guy line; can tighten or loosen the line by pushing the hitch up or down on the standing part.
Timber Hitch	Used for dragging a heavy object like a log. Also useful in pioneering when two timers are "Sprung Together".
Bowline	Makes a fixed loop that will not slip and is easy to untie. Useful in rescue situations and creating a rope tackle to lift heavy objects by serving as the pulley. To provide loops in your line to slip over a stake.
Bowline on a Bight	Same as above only two loops are formed. With the two loops a person can sit in one loop and have the second loop as a back support or under the armpits.
Round Turn With 2 Half Hitches	Used for guy lines, as it won't jam and is easy to untie when adjustments are needed. Used at both ends of large hand and foot ropes for a monkey bridge. Will not reduce the strength of the rope.
Sheet Bend	Used for joining two rope ends, especially if the ropes are of different sizes or when the rope is slippery or wet.
Double Sheet Bend	Used to tie a small pliable rope to a large stiff rope or to a slippery rope.
Slippery Sheet Bend	Ordinary sheet bend with a bight left in the smaller rope which can be untied quickly (Slippery), merely by a tug on the free end of the rope. Valuable knot for use when you expect to tie and untie often.
Figure Eight	Used in such places as the end of a string when trying a package with a slipknot or in the end of a rope to prevent slipping. May be tied in the standing part of the rope as well to check it from sliding through a block, hole, or part of another knot. May be used temporarily to stop fraying when a rope is not whipped.
Sheepshank	Used to temporarily shorten a rope or to by-pass a weak spot in the rope.
Carrick Bend	Used when you have to tie the ends of two large ropes together; to tie two ropes of any size together when the rope is wet or slippery and when you need a knot that will untie easily. While many knots reduce the strength considerably, a Carrick Bend reduces its strength on slightly.
Butterfly	Best knot for making a nonslip loop in the middle of a rope; works better than other knots that do the same thing because it doesn't jam when strained and is easy to untie. Used when pulling a heavy object for hand/shoulder loops. Can also be used to tie up horses or anchor canoes on shore.
Mooring Hitch	A good knot to moor a boat because it can be released quickly while still holding fast; a "slippery" knot that gives a secure hitch.
Honda	Used as a fixed loop in the end of a rope to put over a stake or spar; as a running loop when you want the knot to get tighter as you pull. Knot which forms the fixed loop at the end of a rope useful for creating a lariat loop.
Draw Hitch	Used to make a temporary hitch while making adjustments in your setup (to be replaced with a more secure hitch); when used with a long line to lower equipment, release it, then retrieve your line for another load. It is not a knot that you would tie and leave unattended because an accidental pull on the right lead will cause it to quickly fall away. Quick release knot.
Fisherman's	Used for joining two fine lines such as fishing leaders; to tie the ends of a short length of rope to form a grommet; used when ropes are wet or when used on some types of man-made fiber ropes that tend to slip easily.
Barrel Hitch	Used for lifting an object, such as a barrel or can, which needs to remain upright while lifting.
Hunter's Bend	Used to join two ropes. It has a distinct shape, does not distort, and is very easily untied. It is an excellent knot for nylon rope. Nylon ropes need something extra in the knot for safety, and the double lock of Hunter's Bend makes it ideal for this.
Constrictor	Based upon the clove hitch. Used interchangeably with clove hitch, except once pulled tight it is hard to untie; to start a lashing; to make a good temporary whipping at the cut end of a rope; to start a splice to stop off the unlaid rope strands to prevent unraveling.
Prusik	Used to make hand and foot loops for climbing another rope or vertical spar; to make hand/shoulder loops as an aid to hauling a heavy object such as a log; to hook a light tackle on a vertical or horizontal spar; to provide the grip and loop to tie into another line with a sheet bend; to provide a safety brake against back-slipping on a load lifting line.
Masthead	Used to attach guy lines at the top of a pole; to keep a spar in a vertical position for any purpose. It must be supported with cleats to keep it from slipping down the spar.
Square Lash	Used whenever spars cross at an angel, touching each other where they cross.
Shear Lash	Used for forming shear legs of timbers in pioneering bridges; used to lash two spars together to keep them parallel (to extend a flag pole).
Diagonal Lash	Used to "spring" two spars together; that is, to lash together two spars that do not touch where they cross.
Eye Splice	Strongest type of rope loop. Creates a fixed loop at the end of a rope. Used for a lariat, end of a guy line, forming a strop, a rope into a tent grommet, creating a block in a block and tackle, and at each end of a rope for use as a sling.
Links	www.realknots.com, http://www.troop7.org/Knots/,