Hunter's Bend

Tying procedure — Hunter's Bend

1. Step 01 / 4

   Bend a bight near the end of each rope and pass one bight through the other so the two interlock.

   You should now see: Two bights linked through each other, so lifting one rope drags the other along with it.

   If it goes wrong: Laying one rope's loop on top of the other, as for a Zeppelin bend's 6 and 9, instead of linking them. Lift one rope and it comes away on its own.

   Fix: Separate the ropes and make the bights again, passing one bight through the other before you go on.

   Why: Animated Knots notes that the arrangement of the interlocking loops is critical, because several similar bends look alike at this stage.

   Step 1 of 4 · move 1 of 1

   Overlap the two tails opposite ways so they lie parallel

   Hold: Left hand holds the first overhand open

   Move: Right hand forms the second overhand with the same hand, not a 9

   You should now see: Two same-handed overhands, tails pointing opposite ways, not a 6-and-9.

2. Step 02 / 4

   Cross each tail over its own standing part and over the other rope, closing each bight into a loop.

   You should now see: Two linked loops, each closed by its own tail lying on top, with both tails free to reach the middle of the knot.

   If it goes wrong: Crossing one tail under instead of over. The two loops are then built differently, and the knot comes out lopsided when you tighten it.

   Fix: Lift that tail back out and cross it over its own standing part and over the other rope.

   Why: Each loop becomes one of the two interlocking overhand knots that make up the bend.

   Step 2 of 4 · move 1 of 1

   Take each tail around both ropes and back through its own loop

   Hold: Left hand keeps the two loops lined up

   Move: Right hand leads each tail around both ropes into its own loop

   You should now see: Each working end has gone around both ropes and back through its own loop.

3. Step 03 / 4

   Thread each tail across the middle of the knot, under both ropes and then up over its own part, so the two tails leave the knot on opposite sides.

   You should now see: Both tails passing through the centre of the knot, one coming out on each face.

   If it goes wrong: Passing both tails through the centre from the same side. They come out together on one face, and the two overhand knots do not lock into each other.

   Fix: Pull the second tail back out and thread it through from the other side, under both ropes and then over itself.

   Why: The tails crossing the centre in opposite directions is what locks the two overhand knots together.

   Step 3 of 4 · move 1 of 1

   Pass both working ends through the middle so they exit opposite

   Hold: Left fingers keep the two loops open at the centre

   Move: Right hand feeds each end through the shared middle, opposite ways

   You should now see: Working ends leave the centre in opposite directions. Same-side tails are unfinished.

4. Step 04 / 4

   Work the knot snug by hand, then pull both standing parts and both tails evenly to tighten it. Leave the tails long when the load matters.

   You should now see: A compact, cross-shaped knot with the tails standing out at right angles to the ropes.

   If it goes wrong: Choosing it for a join you will need to undo after a heavy load. In Animated Knots' tests it jammed tight enough that it would have had to be cut.

   Fix: Cut it off if it will not come undone. For a join you want to untie after heavy loading, tie a Zeppelin bend instead.

   Why: In the same tests the Zeppelin bends could be untied with fingers, so Animated Knots points readers to the Zeppelin or the alpine butterfly bend.

   Step 4 of 4 · move 1 of 1

   Dress into a compact double-overhand body, not a 6-and-9

   Hold: Left hand controls the two parts leaving the left side

   Move: Right hand pulls the opposite pair until the body seats

   You should now see: A compact pair of interlocking same-handed overhands, ends leaving opposite sides.