What's in a name: Becket Hitch vs. Sheet Bend

**jeff-oh** · 05-03-2018, 10:58

Reading through the forums I've seen this mysterious knot I've never heard of... The Becket Hitch.

After reviewing how to tie the Becket Hitch, I recognized it instantly as the familiar to me Sheet Bend. The differentiating part to me was how Derek Hansen's video tied the Becket Hitch, as a slippery hitch: https://youtu.be/e7LZTHcNXs8

But, alas that is not the true differentiater... The true difference is simply what the hitch is tied to. It is a Becket Hitch, if tied to a closed eye. (CL, Brummel, etc.) It is a Sheet Bend it tied to an open line bent back on itself.
knot.jpg

Anyway, I found this interesting and fascinated at how specific the name of "knots" can get.

**Tyroler Holzhacker** · 05-03-2018, 11:15

It is called just "The Hammock Knot" in Central and South America or so I have read.

**dscotthep** · 05-03-2018, 11:55

In this case, it's mostly semantics: a "bend" connects two ropes together. A "hitch" connects a rope to another object.

**cmoulder** · 05-03-2018, 19:30

Either way, darn useful.

**gmcttr** · 05-03-2018, 21:30

Originally Posted by jeff-oh

... if tied to a closed eye. (CL, Brummel, etc.)....
...Anyway, I found this interesting and fascinated at how specific the name of "knots" can get.

Speaking of specific, if you're referring to a locked brummel, that is part of the construction of one method of making an eye splice and not a name for the eye splice itself. You would tie the Becket Hitch to the eye, not the "Brummel".

**rhjanes** · 05-03-2018, 21:50

Originally Posted by dscotthep

In this case, it's mostly semantics: a "bend" connects two ropes together. A "hitch" connects a rope to another object.

Thanks!

Also, the same knot is often called something different depending on just what is the "base" topic. In sailing it might be "Knot-A", while in tree trimming it is "Knot-0" and in climbing it is "Knot-Z1"......same knot.

**jeff-oh** · 05-04-2018, 08:00

Originally Posted by gmcttr

Speaking of specific, if you're referring to a locked brummel, that is part of the construction of one method of making an eye splice and not a name for the eye splice itself. You would tie the Becket Hitch to the eye, not the "Brummel".

I tried very hard to proofread the post to avoid any "Mad Nitpickers & Grammar

"... I knew I would slip-up somewhere... You caught me, and are totally correct.

good job.

I was not even sure about using the term knot. But Dscotthep's post makes one think of more possibilities.

**DrPhun** · 05-04-2018, 15:57

Sheet bend is really good for connecting different size lines together.

**cmoulder** · 05-04-2018, 16:24

Originally Posted by DrPhun

Sheet bend is really good for connecting different size lines together.

Similar but with more wraps, the Albright knot, which I used to join some 3.5mm bear bag line and some 3/4" polyester webbing.

**Skytow** · 05-04-2018, 18:21

Son is hanging in my Hennessy tonight on Beckets. Easy peasey and no hardware required. Taught him to tie it this evening! Had to tie it a couple of times due to the “drop”. Not a slip per se but just the slack that is taken up when it is tightened.

Still partial to my Dutchware and whoopies for my non Hennessy ( no rope) hammocks.