Improved Knot
For Hammocks
Using Webbing
An improvement in the Classic
Ed Speer 4 Wrap Knot
Ed Speer, in his classic "Hammock Camping" shows instructions for
tying a "four
wrap knot". The knot begins by taking 1 inch
webbing around a tree. (A live 4 inch diameter tree is considered
the best hammock hanging tree). Once the strap is around the
tree, it is folded back around the tree several times. The knot
is strongest when the wrappings of the tree are one top of one another,
so the strap's friction is acting on the strap and not on the tree
itself.
In
this picture, the first wrap has been
completed and I am about to take the strap on the far side of the tree
for the second wrap.
To the right,
I have just finished my third wrap of this tree. I look at
the remaining webbing and decide to stop at three wraps. I make a
little gap between the last wrap and the rest of the knot so I can
bring the free end up through the hole you see in the picture.
Here,
the free end has been brought through the hole and has made a
single half hitch. This is where the difference between the
classic four wrap knot begins. In the Speer knot, the half hitch
would not have been made. Instead, the free end would have been
taken back around the tree again, tucking the strap under several of
the previous wraps. I find the classic method takes a little
longer and is just a bit less secure. It is a lot less secure if
the tree is not at least 3 inches in diameter. The knot I show
here is secure even if the tree is smaller.
Next,
the free end is brought back up to the hammock strap, and a
second half hitch is made just to the left of the first half
hitch. Instead of pulling the strap all the way through, an easy
release loop is made. This will allow very easy untying of the
knot in the morning, even if the strap is wet and your fingers are
cold.
One
real advantage of the modified knot is keeping the hammock dry in
rain. I use hammock tubes to keep my hammock dry. But with
webbing, the end of the tube can leak a little through the strap.
If the free end of the webbing is brought back up to the webbing near
the hammock (and under a tarp) it can be attached with a single
overhand knot. Any water running down the webbing from a rain
storm wets the free end of the webbing and runs down the drip loop
without getting the hammock wet. This is easier than hanging
socks or strings from the cord as a drip loop and keeps those spare
socks dry instead of soaked with the night's rain!
I hope you enjoy this new trick in hanging the hammock. Please
remember that hammock knots have been known to slip. Safety
should always come first. Never hang your hammock over any sharp
object or over any ground you would not be safe to land on if the knot
releases. I have never had this knot release (not true of the
four wrap knot) but there is a first time for everything. Test
the knots gently every time you tie them, before climbing in the
hammock.