Alternatives
In his 2004 book, Outdoor Knots (pub. Mountaineers), Clyde Soles presents one of Dan Lehman's revisions to this treacherous knot that is simple and effective, naming it the "slip-free hitch". One simply rearranges the trio of bights so that the heavily loaded bight in the standing part will surround, rather than go through, the next-made bight; the finishing slipped-tuck bight will thus go through the 2nd-made bight, and so be less severely loaded. As the frame against which this rope toggle is nipped is entirely parts of the knot (and not depending upon proximity to the hitched object), this revision avoids the capsizing vulnerability of the highwayman's hitch.
The Notable Knot Index recommends the tumble hitch as a more stable hitch. It's a similar hitch, but less prone to capsizing.
Read more about this topic: Highwayman's Hitch
Famous quotes containing the word alternatives:
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—Allen Tate (1899–1979)