Nite Ize Knotbone at Lee Valley

[Mustardman]

If one is already proficient with knots, does this serve any purpose?

I'm a rock climber, former boy scout whose grandfather was in the navy and taught me every knot and splice he knew. I still use little gadgets to avoid knots.

I can tie a trucker's hitch, but it won't be nearly as fast and convenient as the Figure 9's I leave connected to my stakes.


Every single time a knot-saving devices is mentioned, the same question gets asked. Being able to tie a knot is nothing special, and some people choose to use something that saves some time and hassle. It's a minor difference, but it's also a minor weight penalty.

[WingNut]

Knot bones (package of 8 or so) also viewed last night for sale at Sport Chek /Atmosphere, Vancouver, BC. Did not check price.

[Gqgeek81]

I can see your point on convenience.
I do get annoyed a bit however when these things are marketed to help people avoid knowledge of knots. They should not be a crutch IMO and not knowing some basic knots while 'out there' is irresponsible I think.
The kicker to me is the knotless PCT bear bagging video. The method they use to attach the pipe section is just as complicated as any knot regardless of what they choose to call it.

That said, I do have some figure 9's on my stock hennessey suspension because it makes it a whole lot easier and I hadn't heard of UCR's yet.

[Mustardman]

not knowing some basic knots while 'out there' is irresponsible I think.

How many people do you REALLY think have died, gotten injured, or had any real true hardship while hiking or backpacking because of not knowing how to tie a knot, honestly?


Apart from things like rock climbing, where your knots are literally responsible for your safety, the most negative thing I've ever seen happen to someone who didn't know much about knots was that they ended up having to cut off a short piece of cord because they couldn't get a knot untied. Hardly the kind of thing I would call "irresponsible". Lazy maybe. Easily avoided, sure. But I doubt any hikers have ever died because they didn't study ABOK.


Sometimes I think we take ourselves and our skills a little bit too seriously, and tend to exaggerate.