How to Tie the Blakes Hitch with One Hand

[JimK]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sA0GmUbwqhw

This Youtube video will demonstrate how to tie a Blakes Hitch with one hand. One handed moves have to be done in a specific manner. This is a beneficial feature. I've found that knot memory is maximized and knot mistakes are minimized where an one handed technique exists. Besides, an emergency may limit the use of two hands.

 

[Tr33Climb3r]

I can tie a bowline one handed and with my eyes closed...even won a competition in boy scouts with that skill.

 

[songbird]

Jim K, you have some mad skills. I have to try this

 

[marlinspiker]

that made me feel uncomfortable. hahahaha

 

[SingleJack]

shhhh ........

 

[moss]

Nicely done Jim. Now the ultimate test... with the Tautline Hitch a climber can tie it one handed while holding their weight on the rope with the other hand (and/or their feet). A friend who climbs Tautline says this is the reason he won't use a Blake's, can't tie it one-handed in the tree while there's weight on the rope.

Of course it isn't "approved" safe practice however... I think old school climbers did this a lot, untie and retie the tautline one-handed to pass a branch captured within the DdRT system.

Can it be done with a Blake's?
-AJ

 

[JimK]

Moss,

The fact that I'm holding a bight of rope allows for gravity to do 50% of the work. The other approach would require tying a rigid vertical line.

Would this be approach work? Hold the line with your thumb up and wrap that holding hand?