Since mapping out the one handed knot tying method for the clove hitch, I've come across a world of other knots. They all have the same starting point. To date, these are the knots that can be tied with one hand in this manner: clove hitch, bowline, buntline, munter, slip knot, in line fig-8 and fisherman.

The guiding principle on efficient knot tying is to grab the rope in a specific manner. This eliminates a step and sets up a smoother process. The initial rope grab for this technique is to form a bight over the pinky(small) finger. The next step involves the middle fingers grabbing the rope. The hand rotates until the palm points to the sky.

<img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/__xEse-DqPgo/SR-H8sI3EXI/AAAAAAAABEw/MCKHE56ZG9o/s400/single%20hand%20tying%20rope%20grab.jpg" /><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/__xEse-DqPgo/SR8iGSMFqjI/AAAAAAAABEM/q-GSRWx8oQ8/s400/single%20hand%20tying%20first%20loop.jpg" />
<img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/__xEse-DqPgo/SSBsYGH3IOI/AAAAAAAABFQ/fdWIdHjryz0/s400/single%20hand%20tying%202nd%20bight.jpg" /><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/__xEse-DqPgo/SSCUCv-Q9xI/AAAAAAAABFw/ylHKD3TRhp0/s400/sing%20hand%20tying%20munter%20hitch%20stage.jpg" />

I threw a series of videos up on You Tube to explore how to do this. Some videos break it down step by step. This video is simply an overview of the potential found with this technique.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_6VhBjA ... re=channel

Jim, please don't take this the wrong way because I know this was not the point of this thread but I have to ask. Why do some people talk about being able to tie a knot one handed as an advantage over other knots. The best example of this is when people say the like climbing on the tautline better than the Blakes because you can tie the tautline with one hand. I don't think that should be the deciding factor of a good knot or a bad knot. I have been climbing for about 7 years now and I have never once needed to tie a knot one handed. Can anyone please shed some light on this subject for me? Again Jim, please don't take this post against your post because it is not aimed at what you wrote or linked to. Your post just got me thinking about the subject. Thanks.

EMR,

Is one handed knot tying a compelling skill for a tree climber? Not really. I think cavers and rock climbers are the ones that need this. Personally for me, it falls under the category of rope skill refinement. More than anything else, it fills the time void until I'm climbing again.

Does one need to reach a certain level of knot skill in tree climbing? I believe so. I see only one absolute: one has to tie in a manner suitable to them such that they tie their preferred knot error free each and every time. If I can illustrate a knot and tie it one handed, then I'm in tune with getting it right.

I think this technique is like rope splicing. I've been climbing without rope splices for many, many years. However, a good number of climbers have to have them, and some make their own. At the end of the day, it's about personalizing ones climbing. Everyone has their personal set of tools.

Those videos are great! Jim, I agree that tying knots with one hand, like many other types of knotcraft, is a worthwhile pastime that is good fun, and carries the benefit of enhancing knot knowledge and skills in a general way. It may never be necessary in tree climbing because of all our safety precautions (careful climbers should never find themselves in a situation where they are holding on for dear life with one hand while tying a life-saving knot with the other!), but there are many activities where it would be a handy skill. Sailing, for example. Or high-angle rescue. And besides, it never hurts to develop skills that could help in those emergencies that happen less than once in a lifetime.

Plus, Jim, when I watched the videos I was struck by the amount of therapeutic exercise for the hands it must be! Do you train yourself for doing this with both hands?

Dietley,

I do practice on the right hand then the left. I'm a dominant righty, buy my left hand knot seems to flow just fine. Once it's fluid for both hands, doing it simultaneous occurs naturally. Because the munter and clove share the same steps, they're easy to tie simultaneously.

I'll have to try the buntline and bowline simultaneously, since they finish very differently. The ultimate test would be drinking rum around the campfire. It could have an interesting impact.

Whenever I get into these repetitive motions, I make an attempt to asses the process. So far, I haven't seen a downside. I've noticed that my fingers are more nimble, so it seems to be therapeutic thus far. However, I regard this technique as brain food. I feel the same about all of the little techniques involved with the art of climbing. The brain is turned on, and that's a very good thing.

Besides the skills building and entertainment factor I can imagine it would be useful in certain situations to be able to tie say a Running Bowline one-handed. I frequently find myself opening the gate of an auto-locking biner one-handed, sometimes a challenge. Usually you can always get two hands free to perform a task but there's always that situation where you wish you had three hands, that's when a one-handed knot might be just the ticket. You never know.
-moss

I agree with the "mastering your craft" point. I sure hope that my post didnt offend anyone since that was not my intension.

Emr...you're good man...it's healthy to ask those questions: why is a particular technique important?

Abe and I are looking at the possibility of starting a climbing program for wounded veterans. With the likelihood of serving amputees, I'm very thankful there's lots of information out there about tying knots one-handed.

Rest assured we will be relying on the vast amounts of wisdom and experience on this site should that program be realized.

Imagine the possibilities!

Wow, How can I help? Please contact me if you need any volunteering.

You're at the top of the list! Thanks to all for your anticipated participation and help.

It will be a magnificent experience for all.

DrRod,

As soon as I found myself mapping out one handed knots I immediately went looking for vet organizations. We're on the same wavelength. I appreciate your efforts on that!

These are the one handed knots available thus far: bowline, buntline, clove, munter, slip, in-line fig-8, fisherman and anchor.

Thanks, but it was Abe's idea, he gets the credit and appreciation, I'm just along for the ride.

Glad to hear we're on the same page, Jim, and I appreciate you doing the research on the one handed stuff. Are all the one handed knot how-tos in one place? If so, please post location.

For others who want to contribute, start thinking about what equipment and techniques it would take for you to climb with only one arm, i.e. what would replace the Blake's, SRT only (I'm thinking yo-yo) vs. DRT, etc.

Brain cells, engage!

DrRod,

I feel like you have an important topic buried in a lesser topic, knots. You may want to consider starting a topic dedicated to wounded vets and or the disabled. I sense it's going to have a rather large reply.

On the notion of assisting the disabled climber, I'm imagining that a vertical climb may not be practical while they learn their individualized techniques and become conditioned. The instructor would be learning as much about them as they're learning about climbing systems. A sled on a metal extension ladder is a natural for learning the DdRT under controlled conditions. As skill and capability progresses, the incline of the ladder can be increased. PVC pipe secured on a hill can provide a similar dynamic. This provides a variable challenge for ascending. It's an opportunity to descend as well.

Here are some of the one handed knot videos:
Munter (the basic intermediate for other knots)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3R2bB1JBBDs

Clove
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPuY3XVMwO0

Bowline
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1ssegSwVDc

Buntline
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEDmzVbwL5I
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DrRod, that is the best reason for one hand knot tying that I could imagine. I wish I lived closer to you because that sounds like a great volunteer opportunity. Good luck with that project.