Troop 1776 Knotmaster Program Congratulations on embarking on the Troop 1776 Knotmaster Program! The purpose of the Knotmaster Program is to encourage participants to learn to tie a full range of useful and practical knots. By the time you complete the Black level you will have mastered and have at your disposal at least 37 new knots! Goals Of The Knotmaster Program Provide a process and environment to learn knot skills for rank advancement, merit badges and everyday practical situations. Provide opportunities for one-on-one teaching using the E.D.G.E. method. Continually test knotting skills so they are reinforced and improved. Provide opportunities for mastery and advancement with increasingly challenging knot levels. Recognize self-directed effort and achievement and encourage participation. Program Overview Knots are grouped into increasingly challenging levels comprised of 9 knots each. Once a level is completed the participant receives a colored cord to wear on his Knotmaster Carabiner. These colored cords serve to recognize the participant’s achievement, and to identify him as a learning resource for other participants. Upon starting the program the participant receives a basic introduction, along with a practice rope, progress card and knot sheet. The participant may learn knots in any order, and may learn knots from any level at any time. However, he must advance through the levels sequentially. Progress will be tracked on the Knotmaster Progress Card. Participants in the program are known as Knotters. Those who advance to the Black Level are Knotmasters. Troop 1776 - Knotmaster Knot Signoff When a Knotter feels he has mastered a knot sufficiently to be signed off, he can approach any Knotter or Knotmaster who is at least one level higher and ask to be signed off. Signing off may only happen at Troop meetings and on official Troop outings as time allows. For each knot, the participant: 1. States the name of the knot. 2. States the type of knot. 3. Provides at least one example of an appropriate use for the knot. 4. Ties the knot correctly within two attempts, with no outside advice, or written or drawn instruction. 5. If the participant is unable to complete these steps accurately, he must wait at least one day before being checked for that knot again. This will encourage the participant to practice and master the knot before retesting. Level Advancement Participants will be awarded a Knotmaster Carabiner and colored cords to recognize their accomplishment and advancement through the levels of the program. The carabiner and cords are considered to be part of the Class A uniform and are appropriate for any occasion. To advance to the next level the Knotter must have all of the knots in his current level signed off. He will then approach the Knotmaster Chief and ask to be tested for level advancement. Level Advancement testing will be conducted by either the Knotmaster Chief or an assigned Knotmaster. The Knotter will be asked to correctly tie three (3) knots from the level being tested, as well as one (1) knot from every level previously earned. These knots will be selected by the Knotmaster who is conducting the test. The Knotter will also be asked to define any three (3) of the knotting terms associated with the current level being tested, as selected by the Knotmaster. Level Advancement testing is performed under the same rules as for Knot Signoff (as described above). If the Knotter fails any one knot after two (2) attempts, he must wait at least one day to test for advancement again. If the Knotter successfully completes Level Advancement testing, he is immediately awarded the level’s colored cord to be worn on the carabiner. Wearing the Cords When not in use, the award cords should be tied to the Knotmaster carabiner using the Rope Carry Knot. The Troop 1776 Knotmaster carabiner is awarded upon completion of the White level and is worn clipped to either the left or right side pants belt loop. Troop 1776 considers the Knotmaster carabiner and cords to be a part of the Class A uniform and they may be worn at all formal and informal functions. Troop 1776 - Knotmaster Level 0: Introduction Knots: Overhand Knot Terms: Standing End - the end of the rope that is not being knotted. The standing part lies between the standing end and the knot. Working (or Running) End - the end of the rope used in forming a knot. Bight - made by folding a length of the rope so that the two parts lie alongside each other without crossing. Loop - made when a rope forms a partial circle with the ends crossing. Underhand Loop - formed when the working end of the rope is place under the standing end. Overhand Loop - formed when the working end of the rope is placed on top of the standing end. Overhand Knot (Thumb Knot, Half Knot) Type: Stopper Uses: Stopper knot; forms the basis for many other knots. The Overhead Knot is one of the most fundamental knots and forms the basis for many other knots. It is the simplest way to tie a quick and easy stopper knot, and can be used to keep the end of a rope from unraveling. The Overhand Knot is very secure, but can bind tightly, especially in smaller line, and should be used when the knot is intended to be permanent. Troop 1776 - Knotmaster Level 1: White Knots: Square Knot Figure Eight Knot Clove Hitch Surgeon’s Knot Two Half Hitches Taut-line Hitch Sheet Bend Round Turn and Timber Hitch Two Half Hitches Terms: Binding Knot - a knot used to confine a single object or to keep a group of objects together. Bend - a knot used to join two ropes together at their ends. Hitch - a knot used to fasten a rope to an object. Stopper Knot - a knot tied at the end of a rope, usually to prevent a rope from passing through a pulley or other device. Turn - when a rope passes completely around an object one time. Round Turn - when a rope passes around an object twice. Square Knot (Reef Knot) Type: Binding Uses: Tying shoelaces, binding bundles, tying bandages. The Square Knot is an ancient and simple knot commonly used to bind packages and bundles. It is well- suited for tying bandages, as the knot lies flat, making the dressing more comfortable and effective. When tied correctly, the working ends will lie on the same side of the knot. If they are on opposite sides, the result is called a Thief Knot. The slipped version of the Square Knot, known as the Bowknot, is universally used to fasten shoelaces. While easy to tie, the Square Knot can capsize easily and should not be trusted. Never use the Square Knot as a bend (to join two ropes) or for critical loads. Troop 1776 - Knotmaster Level 1: White Surgeon’s Knot (Ligature Knot) Type: Binding Uses: Situations where a binding knot is tied under load; suturing; variations used in fly fishing. The Surgeon's Knot is a simple modification to the Square Knot. It adds an extra tuck when tying the first overhand, forming a double overhand, thus adding friction and preventing the knot from slipping while the final part of the knot is tied. The Surgeon’s Knot has more holding power than the Square Knot and is commonly used by surgeons in situations where it is important to maintain tension while tying a suture. Sheet Bend Type: Bend Uses: Joining ropes of similar or different sizes. The Sheet Bend is a simple-to-tie knot that was considered the sailor’s most essential general utility bend. This knot’s name is derived from its shipboard use in tying the sheets (a piece of running rigging used to trim the sails). When tied correctly, the working ends will lie on the same side of the knot. If they are on opposite sides, it’s called a Left-Hand Sheet Bend and is less secure. When doubled, the Sheet Bend is effective in securely joining lines of different diameters or that are slippery. When used to join lines of unequal size, the larger line should form the bight, with the thinner line forming the nipped hitch portion of the knot. The Sheet Bend may work loose if not under load and should be considered a temporary knot. Troop 1776 - Knotmaster Level 1: White Figure Eight Knot (Flemish Knot) Type: Stopper Uses: Simple stopper knot; basis for many other knots. The Figure Eight Knot provides a quick and simple stopper knot that does not bind and can be untied easily. This knot forms the basis for many climbing knots, including the Figure Eight Bend, The Double Figure Eight Loop and the In-Line Figure Eight. When not loaded the Figure Eight may shake loose. Two Half Hitches Type: Hitch Uses: A quick and temporary tie-off to a post. Two Half Hitches is a reliable and useful knot for attaching a rope to a pole or boat mooring. As its name suggests, it is formed from two half hitches, one after the other. To finish, push the half hitches together and snug them by pulling on the standing part. Note that the two half hitches form a Clove Hitch around the standing end of the rope. To make this knot easier to untie, slip the second hitch (by pulling a bight through the hitch instead of the end of the rope). Troop 1776 - Knotmaster Level 1: White Round Turn and Two Half Hitches Type: Hitch Uses: A more secure temporary tie-off to a post. The Round Turn with Two Half Hitches is the most common hitch used when the knot will not need to be adjusted (this knot must be untied to be adjusted).