Blake’s Hitch

Blake’s Hitch is used to ascend and descend a climbing rope.

It can be moved up and down the rope and stays tight when there is tension on the standing end of the hitch.

Let’s check out this hitch in detail.

Blake’s Hitch History

Blake’s Hitch was first presented by Heinz Prohaska in the Austrian Guides Periodical (1981) and in a caving journal, Nylon Highway (1990).

The popular name comes from Jason Blake who presented it to the arborist community in a letter to Arbor Age in 1994.

It was then adopted by the Arborist and is known as the “Blake’s Hitch.”

How to Tie the Blake’s Hitch

1. Wrap the orange rope around the blue rope.
2. Wrap it 2 more times.
3. Pass the orange rope through the first loop.
4. Dress the knot.

In practice, using your thumb helps thread the tail easily.

You can wind the first two turns around your thumb while your thumb stays upright along the rope and the next two turns around the rope. 

After passing the tail round the standing end, it must pass back behind the standing line and up through the desired number of turns (2 in typical scenario).

PRO TIP

If you want to stop the free end from running through the hitch, add a stopper knot like a Figure 8 knot or a Double overhand stopper after Blake’s hitch is tied.

Common Pitfalls

While tying this hitch, here are some of the common places that you might get it wrong:

• When the required number of turns is tied, pass the working end over (not under) the standing end and through the desired number of coils.
• Tying other versions other than the standard 4/2 or a modified 5/3 version (more on this later).
• If the working end emerges in front of the vertical part, you have tied the inferior version called the “Suislide.”

Applications and Uses

Blake’s hitch is used by the arborist for tree climbing—ascending and descending the tree.

It is particularly useful when the climbers want a slower descent. 

It is also used for tightening the tarp.

Pros and cons

The main advantage of this hitch over other friction hitches like the Prusik or Farrimond hitch is that it can be tied with the free end of the rope.

That means it even substitutes the need of a Prusik loop.

It’s a stable knot that grips itself tight and does not roll along the rope.

You may expect some heat buildup on the rope when used continuously, which might damage the rope.

It works best for the slow descent—and not suitable for fast rappelling.

Blake’s hitch is rarely used by professional arborists due to the introduction of other friction hitches like the Valdotalin Tresse.

Blake’s Hitch Variations

Self Advancing Version

In self-advancing version, replace the stopper knot with Blake’s hitch on the rope that goes up. The main Blake’s hitch remains on the rope that is pulled down to advance the knot.

Self Tending Version

Add a Bowline knot at the end of Blake’s hitch to secure the line to a second rope that goes up higher.

4/2 Blake’s Hitch

In the 4/2 version, the tail passes up through two of the four coils.

It is the typical number of coils for its original ascending function.

5/3 Blake’s Hitch

The 5/3 version has the tail pass up through the bottom three turns of the coil which has five total turns.

This variant is used when the rope you are using is stiff and might not hold down with the standard 4/2 hitch.

Blake Hitch vs other Hitches

Tautline Hitch

Tautline hitch is a sliding hitch that is used to tighten or loosen a line and it holds tight under load.

But it is prone to binding. 

Blake’s hitch solves this problem of binding in Tautline hitch.

Prusik Knot

Prusik knot and Blake’s hitch do not look a different hitch at first glance.

But, there is one major difference.

Prusik knot is tied with the help of a loop cord, while Blake’s hitch can be tied with the free end of the rope.

Valdotalin Tresse

Valdotalin Tresse (VT) solves the two main problems with the traditional prusik knot: it locks on the rope when under load, and then it’s hard to release it when needed.

It tries to eliminate this weakness that Blake’s hitch suffers from at times.

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