Which knot helps prevent rope from sliding when used to secure a line around a basket or drum?

Which knot helps prevent rope from sliding when used to secure a line around a basket or drum?

• A. Bowline
• B. Rolling hitch
• C. Figure eight
• D. Clove hitch

Answer: (C)

When you secure a line around a round object like a basket or drum, you want a knot that acts as a stopper to stop the rope from sliding back through the wrap as tension increases. The figure eight knot provides that reliable stopper: it creates a bulkier, jam-prone end that catches on itself and on the wrapped rope, so the line stays in place and doesn’t slide around the object under load. It’s also straightforward to tie and easy to untie when the tension comes off. The other knots aren’t as well suited for this specific effect. The bowline forms a fixed loop but doesn’t prevent the rope from sliding around the wrap. The rolling hitch is designed to grip a rope or post under load, but its purpose is to control movement rather than to act as a stopper for wrapping. The clove hitch can secure well around a post, but it can loosen if the load isn’t perfectly aligned, making it less reliable for preventing slipping in this scenario.

When you secure a line around a round object like a basket or drum, you want a knot that acts as a stopper to stop the rope from sliding back through the wrap as tension increases. The figure eight knot provides that reliable stopper: it creates a bulkier, jam-prone end that catches on itself and on the wrapped rope, so the line stays in place and doesn’t slide around the object under load. It’s also straightforward to tie and easy to untie when the tension comes off.

The other knots aren’t as well suited for this specific effect. The bowline forms a fixed loop but doesn’t prevent the rope from sliding around the wrap. The rolling hitch is designed to grip a rope or post under load, but its purpose is to control movement rather than to act as a stopper for wrapping. The clove hitch can secure well around a post, but it can loosen if the load isn’t perfectly aligned, making it less reliable for preventing slipping in this scenario.