How to Tie the Tarbuck Knot
Usage
The Tarbuck Knot is an adjustable friction hitch that grips under lengthwise tension and slides freely once slack — the mechanism British climber Ken Tarbuck devised around 1952 for the then-new stranded nylon climbing rope of his day (Wikipedia). That original climbing use is now retired: the knot grips and strips the sheath of modern kernmantle (core-and-sheath) climbing rope instead of sliding predictably, so it is not a safe choice for climbing, rappelling, or any life-safety load today. Where it still earns its keep is camping and bushcraft — tensioning tent and tarp guylines, hanging a food bag, or cinching a taut line on a shelter frame. Want the full library of TBEO knots, including this one, animated step-by-step? The Knot IQ app walks you through the tie in 3D.
Why Learn the Tarbuck Knot?
Its sliding design offers dependable grip on slick synthetic cordage. This knot suits outdoor enthusiasts who need adjustable tension for guylines and tie-downs — adjustable, rope-friendly, and quick to tie once practiced.
Common Uses
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Historical climbing (retired):
- Used through the 1960s on period stranded/hawser-laid nylon rope for tie-in and shock absorption; retired from climbing when kernmantle rope replaced it (Wikipedia).
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Camping:
- Tensions guylines for tarps and tents in windy conditions.
- Secures lightweight shelters with adjustable loops.
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Bushcraft:
- Hangs food bags to protect from wildlife.
- Ties taut lines for shelter frameworks.
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Utility:
- Secures loads on slick surfaces like poles or pipes.
- Creates adjustable ties for household rigging.
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Other Names
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Notable Features
- Adjustable Grip: Slides when loose, locks under load.
- Works on Slippery Ropes: Effective with synthetic guyline and cordage.
- Versatile: A camp and bushcraft staple for guylines, tie-downs, and food hangs.
- Rope-Friendly: Reduces wear on the line through even tension — on the stranded nylon it was designed for.
- Quick Setup: Faster to tie than complex hitches with practice.
Variations
No documented variations beyond the standard tie. For added security, you can add an extra wrap before tucking the working end, though this may reduce adjustability.
Similar Knots
Prusik Hitch vs. Tarbuck Knot
See the Prusik Hitch guide.
- Pros: Bites a separate host rope, so it works on modern kernmantle rope and is the standard modern choice for climbing/rescue friction hitches.
- Cons: Slower to dress and adjust than the Tarbuck for simple guyline tensioning.
Rolling Hitch vs. Tarbuck Knot
See the Rolling Hitch guide.
- Pros: Grips a rigid host — a rail, pole, or another rope — directly, which the Tarbuck cannot do (its grip needs its own standing part to kink).
- Cons: Simpler to tie, but not adjustable the way the Tarbuck's slide-and-grip loop is.
Klemheist Knot vs. Tarbuck Knot
See the Klemheist Knot guide.
- Pros: A cord-on-host friction hitch that, like the Prusik, works on modern kernmantle rope.
- Cons: Needs a separate loop of cord; the Tarbuck ties directly in the working line with no extra material.
History
The Tarbuck Knot takes its name from Kenneth "Ken" Tarbuck, a British climber and skier who devised and popularized it around 1952 for the newly available nylon climbing rope of the day (Wikipedia). American tree trimmers were already using a very similar knot by 1946, calling it simply "the knot," independent of Tarbuck's own climbing-world popularization. It saw genuine service through the 1960s, including in RAF Mountain Rescue curricula, before kernmantle rope made it unsafe for climbing and it settled into its present life as a camp and bushcraft guyline hitch (Knots 3D).
Security Level
On the synthetic cordage it's used with today — guylines, taut lines, utility ties — the Tarbuck grips reliably once properly dressed and set, and slides cleanly to release when slack. It is dressing-sensitive: loosely held turns or a loose final tuck won't grip well. It is not rated for life-safety loads: no controlled breaking-strength or fall-arrest test has ever been published for it, and on modern kernmantle rope it grips-and-strips the sheath rather than holding predictably (Wikipedia). It also won't function as a hitch to a rigid object like a fixed rail or spar, since its grip depends on kinking its own standing part.
Downsides
- Complexity: Requires practice to tie correctly compared to simpler hitches.
- Potential slipping: May loosen if wraps are uneven or not set under load.
- Not for climbing or rescue on modern rope, and not for hitching to a rigid object — see Security Level above.
Structure
- Wrap the rope around the object (e.g., pole or main rope) three times, starting from the standing end.
- Pass the working end over the standing part and back through the first wrap, creating a loop.
- Pull the working end through the loop and continue wrapping it around the standing part twice more.
- Tuck the working end under the last wrap to lock the knot.
- Pull the standing end to set the knot and test its grip under load.
Pro Tip: Ensure wraps are snug and evenly spaced to maximize grip. Use a rope with some texture to reduce slipping on slick surfaces. Practice adjusting the knot's tension before critical use.
FAQ
Is the Tarbuck Knot safe for climbing?
No. It was a climbing knot on 1950s–60s stranded nylon rope, but on modern kernmantle (core-and-sheath) rope it grips and strips the sheath instead of holding predictably, and no controlled fall-arrest testing has ever been published for it. Use a knot rated for modern climbing rope instead.
What's the best rope for the Tarbuck Knot?
Synthetic, textured cordage suits it best for its modern job — tensioning tarp and tent guylines. 750lb paracord grips well and holds up to weather.
How does the Tarbuck Knot compare to the Prusik Hitch?
The Tarbuck ties directly into the working line with no extra material and suits camp guylines; the Prusik bites a separate host cord and is the modern choice where a friction hitch needs to hold a life-safety load.
Can the Tarbuck Knot be used for camping?
Yes — it's a solid choice for tensioning guylines or tarps, especially in windy conditions.
Why choose the Tarbuck Knot over a taut-line hitch?
Both are adjustable guyline hitches; the Tarbuck's historical edge was holding without a stopper knot, but the taut-line hitch family is simpler to tie and tends to be preferred on modern rope.
Important Notes on Safety
This knot is not for climbing, rappelling, rescue, or any load over a person — see Security Level above for why. On its current camp and bushcraft work, the usual failure points are uneven wraps or insufficient tension when setting the knot. Always verify the knot is snug and grips properly before applying load, check the rope for wear or slickness before tying, use at least three wraps for adequate friction, and practice in low-stakes settings first.
