How to Tie the Slipped Buntline Hitch

How to Tie the Slipped Buntline Hitch

Usage

The Slipped Buntline Hitch gives you the security of a Buntline Hitch without committing to a knot you may not be able to pick apart afterwards. It is a quick-release knot for securing loads temporarily, commonly used in sailing, camping, and general utility work where a reliable yet easily releasable knot is needed. One documented pairing: run it to one side of a vehicle's luggage rack and tension the line from the other side with a trucker's hitch over the load between them.

Why Learn the Slipped Buntline Hitch?

This knot provides a compact and secure solution with the added convenience of a quick release, which makes it useful wherever frequent tying and untying are necessary. The 3D animation in the Knot IQ app is worth a look first — the direction the turns travel is the detail that decides whether you have tied this knot or a much weaker one, and that reads far more clearly in motion. If you want the hitch family on hand in the field, the Knot Tying Kit puts cord and weatherproof reference cards in one pouch.

Common Uses

• Boating/Marine:
  • Securing ropes to rings and cleats.
  • Temporary mooring lines.
• Camping: Attaching tarps and ridgelines to trees.
• Utility Work: Tying animals to posts or fences.
• Vehicle loads: Fastening a line to a luggage rack where it has to come off again cleanly.

Notable Features

• Quick Release: Easily untied with a firm pull on the free end.
• Compact and Reliable: Holds securely under load but can be undone quickly when needed.
• Non-Jamming: The standard Buntline Hitch is documented as prone to jamming under extreme loads, which is exactly why it is so often made in slipped form (Buntline hitch, Wikipedia).
• Good on synthetics: The buntline family has gained ground in recent years for how it performs on slippery modern synthetic line.

Variations

The plain Buntline Hitch is the unslipped parent — same knot, working end tucked instead of a bight, more permanent and harder to undo. A round turn taken around the object before tying makes either form even less prone to slipping. The highpoint hitch adds a further half turn for security; we do not have a page for it yet.

Similar Knots

Buntline Hitch vs. Slipped Buntline Hitch

The Buntline Hitch is the same structure tied to stay tied.

• Pros: Very secure and compact.
• Cons: Difficult to untie after heavy load.

Highwayman’s Hitch vs. Slipped Buntline Hitch

The Highwayman’s Hitch is the better-known quick-release option, and the comparison is mostly about how much you trust the release.

• Highwayman’s Hitch: Similar quick-release functionality but less secure.
• Slipped Buntline Hitch: More compact and reliable under load.

Farrimond Friction Hitch vs. Slipped Buntline Hitch

The Farrimond Friction Hitch is the one to use when the line needs to be re-tensioned rather than simply released.

• Pros: Adjustable and easy to untie.
• Cons: Less secure for heavy loads.

History

The Slipped Buntline Hitch is the released form of the Buntline Hitch, which dates to the age of sail, where it was used to secure buntlines to the foot of the sails on square-rigged ships (Buntline hitch, Wikipedia). That it was the preferred knot for that job says something about its security: once set, repeated jerking and slatting tends to tighten it rather than shake it loose, and its small size let the foot of the sail be drawn up close to the buntline deadeyes on the yard. Clifford Ashley records the hitch in The Ashley Book of Knots (1944). The slipped form is the modern everyday version, kept for the convenience of getting the knot back off.

Security Level

The Slipped Buntline Hitch offers moderate security and should not be used in critical applications where failure could result in serious consequences. One detail decides it: the turns must progress toward the object being tied. Tied the other way round you get two half hitches, which is a considerably less secure knot that looks much the same at a glance.

Downsides

• Can Slip: Under heavy or dynamic loads.
• Requires Proper Tightening: To avoid accidental release.
• Easy to tie wrong: Turns running the wrong way silently produce two half hitches instead.
• Exposed release tail: A snagged bight can pull the knot open when you did not want it to.

Structure

1. Pass the rope end around the object.
2. Make a complete turn around the standing end.
3. Form a bight with the working end.
4. Pass the bight through the formed loop.
5. Tighten the knot securely.

Pro Tip: Check that the turns run toward the object before you set the knot, and leave the release bight long enough to grab with gloves on but short enough that it will not catch on passing gear.

FAQ

What is the Slipped Buntline Hitch used for?

It is used for securing loads with the option of a quick release.

How does it compare to the standard Buntline Hitch?

The Slipped Buntline Hitch provides easier untying but slightly less security.

Can it be untied easily?

Yes, pulling the free end releases the knot instantly.

Is it suitable for climbing?

No, it should not be used for life-critical applications.

Important Notes on Safety

Always ensure the Slipped Buntline Hitch is tied correctly and secured tightly before use. Avoid using it in high-stakes situations requiring maximum security.

Do not use this hitch for climbing, rescue, or any system holding a person's weight.

Confirm the turns progress toward the object — the wrong direction gives you two half hitches, not this knot.

Keep the release bight clear of anything that could snag and pull it open.