Hunter’s Bend

Written by Binod Gautam

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The Hunter’s Bend is used to join ropes of similar size together.

It’s often compared to the Zeppelin Bend since both are tied in a similar way, but both are different knots.

It belongs to the category of bend knots based on interlocking overhand knots like the Alpine Butterfly Bend, Ashley Bend, and Zeppelin Bend.

Let’s learn it in detail.

Hunter’s Bend Details

Type: Bends

Other Names: Rigger’s Bend, Smith Hunter’s Bend

ABoK Reference: #1425A

How to Tie a Hunter’s Bend Knot

  1. Make a bight in each rope.
  2. Interlock the two bights.
  3. Pass the ropes over itself.
  4. Pass the RED rope under both ropes and over itself.
  5. Pass the BLUE rope under both ropes and over itself.
  6. Tighten the knot.

You have tied this knot correctly if the working ends emerge at right angles and the locking loops lie on the same side of the standing part.

HUNTER'S-BEND-KNOT-STEP-BY-STEP
Image: Hunter’s Bend Knot Step by Step

Hunter’s Bend Vs Zeppelin Bend

HUNTER'S-BEND-VS-ZEPPELIN-BEND
Hunter’s BendZeppelin Bend
Loop structureTwo superimposed loops of same chiralityTwo superimposed loops of opposite chirality
Final structureTwisting loops lie on the same side of the standing part.Twisting loops lie on opposite side of the standing part.
ReliabilityFairly reliable but fail if not dressed properlyHighly reliable due to its structure
SecurityModerately secureHighly secure
Performance on modern slippery ropesWorks well with modern slippery ropes.Works well with slippery ropes like Dyneema.
Jamming TendencyCan jam under heavy loadLow tendency to jam
ApplicationsGeneral utility and non critical loads.Critical load and high security tasks.
Hunter’s Bend vs Zeppelin Bend

History of Hunter’s Bend

The Hunter’s Bend first appeared in print in the 1950s in the book “Knots for Mountaineering” by Phil D. Smith.

Around the same time,  Dr. Edward Hunter discovered the knot for himself.

By the late 1970s, the bend was widely recognized and linked with Dr. Hunter’s name.

However, Smith initially labeled it the ‘Rigger’s Bend.’

Application and Uses

The Hunter’s bend is commonly used to join two slippery ropes of similar size together.

It’s a strong and reliable knot but tends to jam when it has been under heavy loading.

In knitting, it is used to join the yarns together.

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Strong and secure
  • Works with slippery ropes

Cons

  • Difficult to undo after heavy loading

Other Similar Bends

Ashley Bend

ASHLEY-BEND-DIAGRAM

The Ashley Bend is less popular but is reliable and strong.

It has a different structure to the Hunter’s Bend but resembles the Alpine Butterfly Bend.

Alpine Butterfly Bend

ALPINE-BUTTERFLY-BEND-DIAGRAM

The Alpine Butterfly Bend has a good reputation, likely because of its association with the Alpine Butterfly Loop.

Like Hunter’s Bend, it’s formed using interlocking Overhand knots.

It’s reliable and can be untied after being heavily loaded.

Carrick Bend

Diagram of carrick-bend

The Carrick Bend also uses the interlocked loops but without forming the Overhand knots.

In Ashley’s words, it’s an example of the “perfect bend.”

It’s used to join two heavy ropes, hawsers or cables that are stiff to be bent into other bend knots.


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