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
- Make a bight in each rope.
- Interlock the two bights.
- Pass the ropes over itself.
- Pass the RED rope under both ropes and over itself.
- Pass the BLUE rope under both ropes and over itself.
- 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 Vs Zeppelin Bend
| Hunter’s Bend | Zeppelin Bend | |
| Loop structure | Two superimposed loops of same chirality | Two superimposed loops of opposite chirality |
| Final structure | Twisting loops lie on the same side of the standing part. | Twisting loops lie on opposite side of the standing part. |
| Reliability | Fairly reliable but fail if not dressed properly | Highly reliable due to its structure |
| Security | Moderately secure | Highly secure |
| Performance on modern slippery ropes | Works well with modern slippery ropes. | Works well with slippery ropes like Dyneema. |
| Jamming Tendency | Can jam under heavy load | Low tendency to jam |
| Applications | General utility and non critical loads. | Critical load and high security tasks. |
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
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
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
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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