Polish Knot

[Scott McCrea]

The Polish knot: (as described in Alpine Caving Techniques, page 73)

"Polish knot, or double lark's foot: This knot is rarely used but can be quite useful as a mid-rope knot, placed directly in a carabiner. Compared to a girth hitch, it has an extra bight around the carabiner, preventing any slippage under the weight of the user. This isn't the case with a single girth hitch, which should not be used. The Polish knot is particularly convenient at rebelays because it is easy to adjust the slack in the rope."

I have used this knot several times and found it worked well. It's simple, easy and quick to tie. Certainly not appropriate for some, even many, situations, but a nice one to know.

Has anyone else used this knot?

[fuzzy-hair-man]

Thanks for explaining another reason I have to get a copy of Alpine Caving Techniques.(working on it)

[chh]

I've seen this knot before, but usually use a clove hitch instead.
Scott, do you pretty much use this knot in place of a clove, or are there circumstances in which the polish knot outperforms the clove? I played around with the polish knot a little, but haven't fully weighted it and then tried to adjust it, but it doesn't appear to offer any more resistance to adjustment than the clove.

Cool knot.

[Scott McCrea]

do you pretty much use this knot in place of a clove, or are there circumstances in which the polish knot outperforms the clove? I played around with the polish knot a little, but haven't fully weighted it and then tried to adjust it, but it doesn't appear to offer any more resistance to adjustment than the clove.

I haven't used it enough to say which is better where. I have never used it on a rebelay. I have used it for dragging stuff and ferrying packs/gear. I have weighted it and then adjusted it--which was easy, but not as easy as a clove hitch. More testing/playing around is necessary.