The Alpine Butterfly Bend is used to join two ropes together.
It’s derived from the Alpine Butterfly Loop except that it is tied with the ends of the rope rather than a loop.
Let’s break it down and make it simple for you.
Alpine Butterfly Bend Details
Type: Bend
Other Names: Butterfly Bend, Strait Bend, Lineman’s Bend
ABoK Reference: Not Available
How to Tie Alpine Butterfly Bend
- Form an Overhand loop with the BLUE rope, feed the RED rope from the right and through the first loop, and bring the working end on top of the standing end.
- Feed the working end of both ropes through the loop.
- Tighten the knot.
You have tied this knot correctly if you have two parallel strands with interlocking loops on the same side. On the backside, you have two strands crossing each other.
If it does not look like this, you have tied the incorrect version which is not as secure.
Pro TIP
To make the knot-tying process easier, just remember the mnemonic “A d through a b; ‘twixt the two and toward me.“
What’s Special About the Alpine Butterfly Bend?
The Alpine Butterfly Bend falls into the category of interlocking Overhand knots.
This one is comparatively easy to tie and remember compared to the other knots of this category like the Ashley Bend, Hunter’s Bend, and Zeppelin Bend.
There’s an interesting information on this website that says that:
- It does not matter which way you pass the second end of the rope through the first loop.
- You can curve the two ends of the rope up or down.
- You can cross the two ends of the rope on top of or behind the standing parts
Only make sure that the two ends of the rope form interlocked, mirror-image loops that pass through the center of the knot together in the same direction.
Application and Uses
It’s used in climbing, mountaineering, caving and search and rescue works to join two ropes together.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Easy to tie and remember
- Does not jam and can be untied easily after bearing the load
Cons
- Not popular, so easy to get it wrong
- Forms inferior bend if not tied correctly
Other Similar Bends
Zeppelin Bend
The Zeppelin Bend can be used as an alternative to the Alpine Butterfly Bend.
It’s strong, secure, easy to tie, and won’t jam even after heavy loading.
Ashley Bend
The Ashley Bend is not as popular as the Alpine Butterfly Bend.
It has a structure similar to the Alpine Butterfly Bend.
Hunter’s Bend
The Hunter’s Bend looks like the Zeppelin bend and works best with slippery ropes like Dyneema.
However, it tends to jam after heavy loading.
Carrick Bend
The Carrick Bend does not use interlocking Overhand knots like the Alpine Butterfly Bend.
It’s a secure bend knot that is used to join heavy ropes like hawsers or cables that are stiff and can not be bent into other bend knots.
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