Knot Master

Troop 33

Knot Master Program

Goal: Encourage Scouts to tie, name, and use the knots often used in Scouting.

Rules: To earn each level, the Scout must be tested by a Knot Master or a troop adult.  

Each Scout, regardless of rank, begins at Level 1.  One level advancement per event.

The Test: The Scout is allowed two attempts to tie each knot, must name the knot, and give at least one example of its proper use.  

The Rope: Upon joining the Troop, each Scout is given a six-foot length of white rope and 2 feet of thread.  These materials are used to complete Level 1.  Upon completion of Level 1, each Scout is presented with a small carabiner. Completed ropes are worn on the carabiner as part of the uniform and for Troop activities.

Level 1 (Scout & Tenderfoot Knots):

1.    Fuse a rope

2.    Whip a rope

3.    Square knot

4.    Two half hitches

5.    Taunt-line hitch

Following completion of Level 1, Scouts will be taught the “carry knot,” which will allow them to carry their white rope on a carabiner.  Completion of Level 1 satisfies the knot requirements for Scout (4a, 4b) and Tenderfoot (3a, 3b, 3c).

Level 2 (Second Class & First Class Knots):  

1.    Timber hitch

2.    Clove hitch

3.    Clove hitch on a bight

4.    Bowline

5.    Sheet Bend

Following completion of Level 2, Scouts will be presented with a yellow rope and two feet of thread (for completing West Country whipping on Level 3). Completion of Level 2 satisfies the knot requirements for Second Class (2f, 2g) and First Class (3b).

Level 3 (Pioneering Merit Badge Lashings):

1.    West Country whipping

2.    Square lashing

3.    Diagonal lashing

4.    Round lashing

5.    Shear lashing

6.    Tripod lashing

7.    Floor lashing

Following completion of Level 3, Scouts will be presented with an orange rope.  Completion of Level 3 satisfies Pioneering Merit Badge requirements 2a, 2c.

Level 4 (Pioneering Merit Badge Knots):

1.    Round turn with two half hitches

2.    Butterfly knot

3.    Sheepshank

4.    Rolling hitch

5.    Water knot

6.    Carrick Bend

Following completion of Level 4, Scouts will be presented with a green rope.  Completion of Level 4 satisfies Pioneering Merit Badge requirement 2b. 

Level 5 (Climbing Merit Badge Knots):

1.    Figure 8 on a bight

2.    Figure 8 follow through

3.    Water knot

4.    Safety backup knot

5.    Double Fisherman’s knot

Following completion of Level 5, Scouts will be presented with a blue rope.  Completion of Level 4 satisfies Climbing Merit Badge requirements 7(a) – 7(e).

Scout Knot Master:

1.    Bowline on a bight

2.    Prusik

3.    Klemheist

4.    Autoblock

5.    1-Handed Bowline

6.    Trucker’s hitch

Following completion of this level, Scouts will be presented with a purple rope and will be authorized to test other scouts on levels below.

Troop Knot Master: Combine three or more knots that you have learned, or other advanced knots, to create a decorative or functional rope project.  Following completion of this levels Scouts will be presented with a black rope representing their mastery of knots and splicing.

Troop knot masters should keep proficient on all of the knots you have learned. Wearing the black rope is a symbol to all that you can be relied upon to demonstrate and teach any of the knots at any given moment.