The Adjustable Grip hitch is used to tension a line.
It provides friction when there’s tension on the rope and can be shifted up and down the line while slack.
Let’s learn this slide-and-grip hitch in detail.
Adjustable Grip Hitch Details
Type: Hitch
Other Names: Adjustable Loop knot, Crawley Adjustable Hitch
ABoK Reference: NA
How to Tie an Adjustable Grip Hitch
- Make a loop with the working end over the standing part of the rope.
- Wrap the working end around the standing part.
- Take another turn around the standing part.
- Tuck the working end under the second wrap.
- Tighten the knot.
PRO TIP: In slippery ropes, you can improve the grip by wrapping the end around the standing part three times.
Quick Release Adjustable Grip Hitch
The Adjustable grip hitch can be tied as a slipped knot.
To tie a slipped Adjustable grip hitch, just make a bight with the tag end and feed it through the strands on the last step.
It’s useful if you need to dismantle a tarp or a tent in a flash.
Applications and Uses
The Adjustable grip hitch locks when there’s tension and slides down the line which is useful for outdoor activities.
It’s used to tension ridgelines, guy lines or tent lines.
When camping, it’s used to secure tarps and shelters and make clotheslines.
Pros and Cons
The Adjustable grip hitch is easy-to-tie.
It’s even easier to tie than the Tautline hitch where people often get confused on the final turn.
It also grips better than the other friction hitches. If you want to improve the friction, add more turns around the standing end before the final step.
It does not jam as well.
A slipped version of the Adjustable grip hitch helps for a quick tarp or tent breakdown.
The main downside of this knot is that it might fail when shock-loaded.
Limitations of the Adjustable Grip Hitch
The Adjustable grip hitch holds well under load, but slips when shock-loaded until tension is relieved.
It should not be used in applications where shock loading is expected.
It works best where load adjustments are frequent and shock loads are less.
Adjustable Grip Hitch Vs Tautline Hitch and Midshipman’s Hitch
Tautline Hitch
The Tautline hitch and the Adjustable grip hitch are slide-and-grip knots.
They are tied similarly—the difference is that in the Tautline hitch the final turn is made on the opposite side of the knot.
Both knots are strong and reliable, but the Adjustable grip hitch provides better grip under load and is easier to tie.
Midshipman’s Hitch
If you look at all the slide-and-grip knots, they cannot take the load until the knot is tied.
The Midshipman’s Hitch forms an Awning Hitch that takes the load initially.
It’s useful when taking the initial load of a mooring line or setting tent guy lines.
Other Similar Knots
Rolling Hitch
The Rolling hitch (earlier known as the Magnus or the Manger’s hitch) is used to bend a small rope to a larger one under strain.
It can slide along the heavier rope when the lighter rope is at right angles to it, but it tends to tighten when there is a lateral force applied on the lighter rope.
Farrimond Friction Hitch
The Farrimond friction hitch is a quick-release slide-and-grip knot.
It’s tied like a Prusik loop which has three wraps.
It is used to adjust a ridge line for a tarpaulin, or washing line, as the friction knot holds it well.
Prusik Knot
The Prusik knot attaches a loop cord (made with the help of two Double Fisherman’s knots at the end of the rope) to a rope.
It has a symmetrical structure so it can handle tension in all directions.
It’s used in climbing for ascending the climb or prusiking.
It is used in camping to attach the tarp to a ridge line as it can be slid to the required position without damaging the line.
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