How to Tie a Speir Knot

In survival situations, people often overlook the simple things that could make their lives much easier. One of the little things that you can learn at home that could help save your life or even just make your next camping experience more enjoyable is the art of knot tying. Different knots have different functions. A more advanced knot like the Speir knot can have many functions. The Speir knot is useful when you need a fixed loop, a nonslip knot and a quick release in a single knot.

Instructions

    • 1

      Pass the running end of the rope through a ring or over a sturdy pipe or branch. The running end should be on the left side of the standing end.

    • 2

      Grasp the standing end of the rope (palm up) with your left hand and the running end with your right (also palm up). Your left hand should be higher than your right.

    • 3

      Move your left hand to your left and your right hand to your right to create two bights.

    • 4

      Twist your left hand a half turn towards your body so that the upper bight is twisted into a loop.

    • 5

      Pass the lower bight over the rope and down through the loop you just made.

    • 6

      Tighten the knot by pulling on the bight and the standing end.

    • 7

      Pull the running end for the quick-release function, which will untie the knot.