Snap Bowline

The Snap Bowline is a misnomer; it’s not a new type of Bowline.

It’s actually a method to tie the Bowline quickly.

It’s a cool way to tie the loop knot around an object; it might beat the traditional method taught in Scouts.

Why’s it so good?

First, it’s fast. Like, really fast. Plus, it’s almost foolproof and lets you tie not one but two variants of the Bowline.

Interesting, right? Let’s start!

How to Tie a Snap Bowline Knot

1. Make a loop in your rope.
2. Make a bight in the standing end and feed it through the loop.
3. Pass the working end through the loop.
4. Hold the working end with one hand and pull the standing end with the other.
5. The structure will invert and the bowline is formed.

How to Tie the Snap Bowline Around an Object (In Front)

Sometimes you need to tie the Bowline around an object like a tree or a post in front and do it fast. That’s when this method comes in handy.

This is not different from the one shown above.

You start by making a loop in the rope, then feed a bight from the standing end through that loop. Next, pass the free end through the loop. When tightened, it forms the perfect bowline knot around the object.

Here’s how you can do it:

Pro TIP

The Bowline knot isn’t perfect.

It tends to shake loose when it’s not loaded, and it does not handle the transverse loading well.

So, the standard Bowline knot should be backed up with a backup knot, like a simple overhand knot to keep it from slipping.

Another option is the Yosemite finish. Just wrap the free end around the bight and feed it back through the knot.

This makes the knot more secure and handles sideways strain better.

Application and Uses

The Snap Bowline can really come in handy when you need to tie a rope around an object quickly.

It makes up for a great knot for emergency rescue situations where you need to tie up a loop knot around something or even yourself in a snap.

The one handed Bowline is also preferable in such situations where you have a single hand available.

What Makes the Snap Bowline Special?

There are so many Bowline variations to learn, but if you learn this one, you will know how to tie two variants of the Bowline:

• Standard Bowline: Tail ends up inside the loop
• Cowboy Bowline:  Tail ends up outside the loop

But how do you do it?

Depending on the way you feed the tag end (downward or upward) through the loop at step 3, you will end up with a Bowline or a Cowboy Bowline.

Give it a try! I’m sure you will love how this little trick can do wonders!

There is ongoing discussion over which version is better, but some research, including the PACI document, shows that the Cowboy Bowline performs better with transverse loading than the Standard Bowline.

Liked the article? Share it or Bookmark for future reference!