Cinch Knot

The cinch knot is a flat, adjustable knot (made famous by cowboys). It was, and still is, used to hold a saddle in place on a horse's back. Though newer saddles now use a buckle, the cinch knot has been used for this purpose as long as men have been putting saddles on horses. The strap that goes under the horse is called a cinch strap and the knot used is now called a cinch knot for obvious reasons. When secured to a single ring under the stirrup it is very functional, secure, out of sight, and because it is flat it won't rub a sore on the horse.

This handy knot is also used by fishermen in the construction of hand made nets. It is the knot that secures the net to its framing or the bolt rope for hauling nets. The cinch knot could also be used to create a tie point on a tarp being used as a survival shelter.

Basic terms used in our knot tying instructions explained here

How To: Tie a cinch knot.

Loop your line over the rail or ring.
From under the rail, come out and cross over the standing part.
Go up behind the rail and forward over the top.
Tuck the bitter end back down through the existing loop alongside the standing part.
Snug it up and it is a cinch knot.

How To: Tie a cinch knot in the middle of a line

Form a bight where you want the knot.
Grasp the 2 standing parts a few inches or so below the end of the bight.
Open the bight into an eye while still holding the 2 standing parts with your other hand.
Fold the eye over so it is bisected by the 2 standing parts.
Wrap both halves of the eye around the standing parts.
The resultant loops can be secured to the stub of a branch, a hook, or the end of a pipe and drawn up snug into a proper cinch knot.

Riggers also use it and folks who do fancy work with any size line. When used in the middle of a line you can put a load on either end or both and it will not slip or bind. Even when tied in stretchy line like nylon, it is still easy to untie after it has been under a load. The cinch knot can be tied in the middle of a line or in the end depending on your need.

ProKnot Outdoor Knots

Waterproof plastic cards 2 1/4" x 3 1/2"
(Excellent gift idea)

These cards are lightweight and small. They will easily fit in your pocket, glove box, or anywhere in your survival kit. These cards include most of the knots covered in our website plus a few x-tras. (17 total)

This list of knots, either singly or in combination, will serve almost any need you have, be it around the house or in the wilderness.

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