Tried a different climbing hitch on a big maple removal in Springfield

I was taking down a 70 foot sugar maple last week and swapped my usual Blake's hitch for a Knut. The rope was a bit slick from morning dew, but the Knut just locked up solid every time, way more than I expected. Anyone else have a go-to knot for wet conditions?

3 comments

3 Comments

phoenix_carter17d ago

Just a heads up, the Knut is actually known for slipping on wet ropes.

the_cole17d agoMost Upvoted

Yeah, @phoenix_carter is totally right about that. I've heard it's because the knot's tail can get pulled back through the loop if it's not under constant load, especially with slick, wet line. Makes it more of a temporary hitch than something you'd trust for anything serious.

troythompson17d ago

But what about when the line is totally dry and you cinch it down super tight? Does it still walk itself loose over time just from vibration, or is the wetness the only real problem? I've seen some old riggers swear by it for light stuff if you keep an eye on it, but they also treat any knot as temporary. Makes you wonder if we just expect too much from a simple piece of rope.