Wanted to add this, Not sure how to classify. I use this a lot on wild camping Tarps as my pre-tied guylines and have had great results.
I posted it over at Bushcraft UK in 2012:
https://bushcraftuk.com/community/threads/a-guyline-knot-hitch-bend-for-poncho-and-tarps.98368/
…New? Well probably not… I couldn’t describe what this is, and couldn’t find any similar pictures and info on the net. I find it hard to believe that this hasn’t been thought of before or maybe it isn’t actually much use, so after quite a bit of experimenting I finally got to this..
https://i.imgur.com/o99s1J3l.jpg
After reading trunks post about guyline adjusters and tensioners and all the associated gadgetry that can be bought, I went looking for a solution to the guylines being attached to the tarp or poncho with nothing more than the line you have got already, some time and a Knot or two.
For the time being I am calling this the “buckle loop” because it originally came to me when I made a platted paracord belt and wanted something simple to keep it closed made from cord. The cord with small overhand kind of acts like a buckle prong keeping the knot attached to the tarp eyelet.
We know things break, wear out, disappear at the most awkward of times, so having something like the knowledge to tie the knot weighs nothing (as is well documented on these forums), solves the problem quickly and costs very little. I know There are already plenty of knots out there which can do the job but nothing “I could find” that acts like a carabiner or open gate device made of cord for quick attachment and detachment to/from an eyelet.
For tarp use, I wanted the adjustable Three turn hitch side of the guy line near to the tarp eyelet so it could be adjusted underneath easily and quickly. The other end would be a simple clove hitch to a tent peg or a evenk type knot to a tree.
https://i.imgur.com/trx3oYsl.jpg
For poncho use, it gives a quick solution to the problem of having guy lines already attached making it a quick tarp rather than a wearable poncho. The buckle loop allows you to quickly attach or detach guy lines depending on the situation.
It will be able to be improved but for now it works so heres how to tie it.
I started with a piece of 550 paracord at around 700mm (roughly 30 inches) long(shorter than this will probably be hard to tie the figure 8 ) . From there I laid it out like a very flat Z shape.
https://i.imgur.com/sNGicaul.jpg
From there you will need a little extra cord in the tail or prong, about 2 inches, to sit in the loop nicely later.
https://i.imgur.com/vSDIouol.jpg
Gather the 3 strands in the middle and tie a overhand or figure 8 knot (using a single overhand here to reduce bulk will be harder to untie) so you end up with this:
Pull the figure eight tight equally.
https://i.imgur.com/opJaAs0l.jpg
Then tie a overhand in the tail or prong. after more experimentation it seems the “double overhand” knot is easier to untie than a locked single overhand.
https://i.imgur.com/rixcn2pl.jpg
Line up overhand Or double overhand with the edge of the loop roughly. If the tail pulls through the loop when applying tension move the overhand up or down until it gets gripped by the loop.
https://i.imgur.com/dYBA67gl.jpg
You can cut the other sides tail off if you want but I have been wrapping it round in a sort of stopper knot to keep it out the way.
From there you tie your Three turn taut line (adjustable grip hitch) through the non knotted loop side of the buckle loop.
https://i.imgur.com/LE2tL8Zl.jpg
Thread the loop though the eyelet of your tarp or poncho and then thread the tail or prong through the loop and pull tight against the overhand knot.
https://i.imgur.com/rvQC9Ell.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/rYjgUxbl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/SR3ilMWl.jpg
That’s all it is, I have tried shaking my poncho and so far I haven’t had it undo under tension or not. So far I have only tested it indoors, and have found that the eyelet would probably pull out before the tail or prong got pulled though the loop. I will continue testing next time I am out.
Update on testing. I just tried lifting a 10 kilo dumbell and that held without slipping. I then tried lifting a 19 Liter waterbottle at the handle and this didn’t slip either. Next I tried the 19 liter bottle again after soaking the paracord in water and still no slippage. So “should” be plenty strong enough for Tarp/poncho guylines.
Update 2017: I have been using this knot for several years now and it hasn’t let me down yet.
Update 2021: still using the buckle loop with great success and had no failures when under tension.
Enjoy…
Thanks
