View Full Version : Tying the Hennessey Hammock Knot
Hennessey Knot
courtesy of Shane Steinkamp
http://www.thruhikes.net/forums/hammock/lashing.jpg
Knot detail Detail of lashing to webbing straps using four figure-8 wraps around main supporting rope and behind webbing strap loops plus 2 half hitches. This is very similar to the figure-8 used when tying a rope to a cleat.
http://www.theplacewithnoname.com/hiking/sections/gear/shelter/HTHH_Images/DSC02780.jpg
The 'tree hugger' or nylon webbing strap goes around the tree. The rope goes through both loops...
http://www.theplacewithnoname.com/hiking/sections/gear/shelter/HTHH_Images/DSC02781.jpg
Pull tight - between 15 and 20 pounds will do...
http://www.theplacewithnoname.com/hiking/sections/gear/shelter/HTHH_Images/DSC02782.jpg
Pass the free end of the rope around the top of the rope that goes back to the hammock...
http://www.theplacewithnoname.com/hiking/sections/gear/shelter/HTHH_Images/DSC02784.jpg
Pass the free end of the rope behind the webbing strap... (In other words, between the tree hugger and the tree...)
http://www.theplacewithnoname.com/hiking/sections/gear/shelter/HTHH_Images/DSC02786.jpg
Pull...
http://www.theplacewithnoname.com/hiking/sections/gear/shelter/HTHH_Images/DSC02787.jpg
Over the top of the rope...
http://www.theplacewithnoname.com/hiking/sections/gear/shelter/HTHH_Images/DSC02788.jpg
Pull...
http://www.theplacewithnoname.com/hiking/sections/gear/shelter/HTHH_Images/DSC02789.jpg
Behind the webbing...
http://www.theplacewithnoname.com/hiking/sections/gear/shelter/HTHH_Images/DSC02790.jpg
Over the top of the rope...
http://www.theplacewithnoname.com/hiking/sections/gear/shelter/HTHH_Images/DSC02791.jpg
Pull...
http://www.theplacewithnoname.com/hiking/sections/gear/shelter/HTHH_Images/DSC02792.jpg
Behind the webbing...
http://www.theplacewithnoname.com/hiking/sections/gear/shelter/HTHH_Images/DSC02793.jpg
Pull, and tie a half hitch...
http://www.theplacewithnoname.com/hiking/sections/gear/shelter/HTHH_Images/DSC02794.jpg
Pull...
http://www.theplacewithnoname.com/hiking/sections/gear/shelter/HTHH_Images/DSC02795.jpg
Second half hitch...
http://www.theplacewithnoname.com/hiking/sections/gear/shelter/HTHH_Images/DSC02796.jpg
DONE!
http://www.theplacewithnoname.com/hiking/sections/gear/reviews/HennessyExplorer/hennessyknot.jpg
This isn't finished with a traditional half hitch. I call it a twisted hitch. In reality, you can leave the hitches out and not have any trouble. I don't often tie them anymore.
I got a quick "show and tell" of this, before I had my hammock. This is exactly what I needed! Clear and concise with great pictures!
Thanks Troll!
Awe, I thought you ment the sheet's bend on the hammock bed. i thought you had found a way to attach the supports to the hammock the way Hennessy does.
The weird thing about this way of tying up the hammock is that I've never seen anyone use the strap like they have here. Usually one end of the strap is passed through the loop on the other end, and then all the tying is done to just the single loop.
Was this knotting chosen primarily to be fast & easy?
stoikurt
10-15-2007, 19:46
The method in the pictures is the same method recommended by Hennessy (except the twisted half hitch). I've not seen anyone put one strap thru the loop of the other and tie to just one loop. Though that method is used with rings and buckles but usually with a carabiner in the loop and clipping it around the strap.
warbonnetguy
10-15-2007, 20:09
The weird thing about this way of tying up the hammock is that I've never seen anyone use the strap like they have here. Usually one end of the strap is passed through the loop on the other end, and then all the tying is done to just the single loop.
Was this knotting chosen primarily to be fast & easy?
that is an excellent point, the reason i thread one loop through the other, is that with the above tree strap setup the straps have sometimes slid down the tree. the other way, the webbing squeezes the tree and cannot slide down.
for tying the rope to the single loop instead, i like to use a single sheetbend finished with a bight. this takes a fraction of the time it takes to tie the above knot. it is actually about the simplest knot there is. since it is finished with a bight, it is an exploding knot, meaning you can completly untie it with a tug on the free end.
depending on what kind of webbing you use, i have had a few inches of slack slip through the knot when weighted. never been dropped by it though. this slipping can be eliminated by using what i call a "single w/2 bights", basically you insert a second bight of slack into the first and then cinch the first one down tight. i think this is slightly faster than just using a double sheetbend finished with a bight. i've never had either variation slip even with excessive bouncing, and the single with a bight (the one that can slip, also by far the fastest), seems not to slip with softer thinner webbing, like the 1" owf polyester camo.
either way, some variation of the sheetbend is probably the best knot to tie to tree straps. it's a secure knot that can be tied very quickly (blindingly fast if the single w/bight is used), and can be untied instantly if finished with a bight.
google search sheetbend to see a pic.
JoeHiker
10-16-2007, 09:09
Really dumb question: What is the point of the half-hitch(es)? What purpose do they serve? I never tie them.
Hennessey Knot
http://www.thruhikes.net/forums/hammock/lashing.jpg
Knot detail Detail of lashing to webbing straps using four figure-8 wraps around main supporting rope and behind webbing strap loops plus 2 half hitches. This is very similar to the figure-8 used when tying a rope to a cleat.
http://www.theplacewithnoname.com/hiking/sections/gear/shelter/HTHH_Images/DSC02780.jpg
The 'tree hugger' or nylon webbing strap goes around the tree. The rope goes through both loops...
http://www.theplacewithnoname.com/hiking/sections/gear/shelter/HTHH_Images/DSC02781.jpg
Pull tight - between 15 and 20 pounds will do...
http://www.theplacewithnoname.com/hiking/sections/gear/shelter/HTHH_Images/DSC02782.jpg
Pass the free end of the rope around the top of the rope that goes back to the hammock...
http://www.theplacewithnoname.com/hiking/sections/gear/shelter/HTHH_Images/DSC02784.jpg
Pass the free end of the rope behind the webbing strap... (In other words, between the tree hugger and the tree...)
http://www.theplacewithnoname.com/hiking/sections/gear/shelter/HTHH_Images/DSC02786.jpg
Pull...
http://www.theplacewithnoname.com/hiking/sections/gear/shelter/HTHH_Images/DSC02787.jpg
Over the top of the rope...
http://www.theplacewithnoname.com/hiking/sections/gear/shelter/HTHH_Images/DSC02788.jpg
Pull...
http://www.theplacewithnoname.com/hiking/sections/gear/shelter/HTHH_Images/DSC02789.jpg
Behind the webbing...
http://www.theplacewithnoname.com/hiking/sections/gear/shelter/HTHH_Images/DSC02790.jpg
Over the top of the rope...
http://www.theplacewithnoname.com/hiking/sections/gear/shelter/HTHH_Images/DSC02791.jpg
Pull...
http://www.theplacewithnoname.com/hiking/sections/gear/shelter/HTHH_Images/DSC02792.jpg
Behind the webbing...
http://www.theplacewithnoname.com/hiking/sections/gear/shelter/HTHH_Images/DSC02793.jpg
Pull, and tie a half hitch...
http://www.theplacewithnoname.com/hiking/sections/gear/shelter/HTHH_Images/DSC02794.jpg
Pull...
http://www.theplacewithnoname.com/hiking/sections/gear/shelter/HTHH_Images/DSC02795.jpg
Second half hitch...
http://www.theplacewithnoname.com/hiking/sections/gear/shelter/HTHH_Images/DSC02796.jpg
DONE!
http://www.theplacewithnoname.com/hiking/sections/gear/reviews/HennessyExplorer/hennessyknot.jpg
This isn't finished with a traditional half hitch. I call it a twisted hitch. In reality, you can leave the hitches out and not have any trouble. I don't often tie them anymore.
thats really good pics of the multiple figure 8,i used that knot for over 5 years on all my hammocks till i went to the ring bucle system:cool: neo
thats really good pics of the multiple figure 8,i used that knot for over 5 years on all my hammocks till i went to the ring bucle system:cool: neo
I like to use double "exploding" knots (pull one string to release)
how difficult is it to release the ring buckle when there is tension on it?
MacEntyre
10-16-2007, 19:08
The HH knot is essentially a tow-boat hitch, quite a versatile knot. Thanks for the post!
Great post and photos.
I will probably refer people to this in the future.
Incacamper
05-09-2008, 07:07
I will try that double sheet bend. I too find that with the webbing used in Hennessy's recommended fashion that they slip like crazy up and down a tree unless you make the suspension lines and the ridge line REALLY tight, and then you still might be prone to some slippage. The dbl. sheet bend looks like a really good, easy knot!
Will the dbl. sheet bend on a bight be really hard to untie in the morning after putting all the weight on it all night??
Also, how do you guys avoid burning through the webbing? Seems like my webbing is already showing signs of wear after only 3 hangs. Maybe I should pull the hammock tight with my hand rather then pull through the webbing its self.
Okay, newbie here, but lets say I put it up, but it's too loose. I need to tighten it up. Does this knot allow me to do it, or do I have to tie again?
Ramblinrev
09-29-2009, 07:12
what do you mean by "too loose". You lost me.
BillyBob58
09-29-2009, 09:34
what do you mean by "too loose". You lost me.
Right, if you pull the ridge line moderately tight when you do the HH lashing, it should not be too loose. For me, that is really about all it takes. Pulling the RL tighter might help with keeping the net tighter and away from my face, but I much prefer to accomplish this by having the side tie outs attached to hiking poles or trees/bushes rather than to stakes in the ground. I think my HH is more comfy if I don't tighten the devil out of it.
If it is hanging too close to the ground, I raise the huggers/ropes/webbing higher on the tree rather than trying to make it tighter.
I much prefer to accomplish this by having the side tie outs attached to hiking poles or trees/bushes rather than to stakes in the ground. I think my HH is more comfy if I don't tighten the devil out of it.
BillyBob
I am intrigued by this method how do you incorporate the hiking poles?
Shock cord to pole and string/rope from pole to ground stake???
In my last campout I wonder about this setup.
I think in order for me to do this I might have to modify my DIY SWT.
Ramblinrev
09-29-2009, 11:32
BillyBob
I am intrigued by this method how do you incorporate the hiking poles?
Shock cord to pole and string/rope from pole to ground stake???
In my last campout I wonder about this setup.
I think in order for me to do this I might have to modify my DIY SWT.
I know I ain't Billybob but when I do that I use the poles to porch my tarp. _I_ will invert my pole.. handle to the ground and put the tip through the tarp tie out. Then the tieout lines rather naturally support the tarp pole assembly. Then the hammock tie outs go to the pole shaft and get set with the figure 9 just like if I was going to the stake in the ground.
BillyBob58
09-29-2009, 11:33
BillyBob
I am intrigued by this method how do you incorporate the hiking poles?
Shock cord to pole and string/rope from pole to ground stake???
In my last campout I wonder about this setup.
I think in order for me to do this I might have to modify my DIY SWT.
Right,, shock cord from hammock to hiking pole at various heights, then a cord to ground or bushes or trees. Usually if I do this with the stock diamond tarp, the pole also supports the tarp in porch fashion, so a separate cord to ground is not needed, just whatever cord being used on the tarp's side tie out. Unfortunately, a steep storm pitch will probably not work with this approach. And the same with a SWT. If it is pitched in a steep close to the ground storm pitch, it will be tough to pull off, if it can be done at all.
However, you can get most of the benefits if just one side is high, especially if it is the head side.
I know I ain't Billybob but when I do that I use the poles to porch my tarp. _I_ will invert my pole.. handle to the ground and put the tip through the tarp tie out. Then the tieout lines rather naturally support the tarp pole assembly. Then the hammock tie outs go to the pole shaft and get set with the figure 9 just like if I was going to the stake in the ground.
Right,, shock cord from hammock to hiking pole at various heights, then a cord to ground or bushes or trees. Usually if I do this with the stock diamond tarp, the pole also supports the tarp in porch fashion, so a separate cord to ground is not needed, just whatever cord being used on the tarp's side tie out. Unfortunately, a steep storm pitch will probably not work with this approach. And the same with a SWT. If it is pitched in a steep close to the ground storm pitch, it will be tough to pull off, if it can be done at all.
However, you can get most of the benefits if just one side is high, especially if it is the head side.
Ok. You both make sence on this setup.
It does make me wondering if I added a pull out loop on both sides (insde and Out) on the SWT in-line with the hammock pullouts. That that would create the same effect when the tarp is used in storm mode.
tonejones
11-22-2009, 10:00
very nice
the pictures on the bag dont do it justice