Reef knot and clove hitch
![Reef Knot and Clove hitch illustration: arrows highlight the path for a length of rope or string to take when tying a reef knot, often used to tie belts, bandages and bundles (left) and a clove hitch, often used to tie up to a post (right). It is noted that neither should be used when safety is at stake.](https://images.prismic.io/sketchplanations/4c338cb9-d290-4568-8d75-8a5dfc20ad88_SP+751+-+Reef+knot+and+clove+hitch.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&w=3840&q=50)
A refresh for basic guiding and scouting skills — two satisfying and simple, but not secure, knots: the reef knot, or square knot, and the clove hitch.
The reef knot was also known to the ancient Greeks as the Hercules knot. You can use it for non-safety critical things like belts, bandages, tying bundles and parcels but it doesn't hold weight well so don't use it when safety is important.
The clove hitch is a simple knot that can quickly, say, tie a rope to a post. But don't use it if you need something to really hold.
Again, don't use either for safety critical applications, but they're both nice knots to know.
Also see a sheet bend
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