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Prusiks

Submitted by An Outdoor Idiots Team Member.

Page 5 of 10 Previous Next [Index]

The Kreuzklem Prusik

This Prusik is usually tied with a loop made from tape rather than cord. "Tape" could mean something like a car seat belt or a climbing sling. Fig. 19 shows a small sling used for climbing.

A Sling used for Climbing

Fig. 19. A sling used for climbing.
The Kreuzklem is a fairly shocking Prusik, which can work with only one full turn (or one-and-a-bit, or two full turns, depending on how you think of it...). It is essential to remember whether to wind the loop "up" or "down" the rope when constructing it - if you do it the wrong way, you end up with a different Prusik which needs more turns to work effectively.

Also, if using it for a life-preserving activity, for example when climbing, it is best to use more turns. In fact it is probably always a good idea to use more turns - the fact that you can get away with hardly any turns is perhaps best thought of as a novelty.

Tying a Kreuzklem Prusik

Start from the bottom and work your way up, as in Fig. 20. It normally happens that the tape will separate out as in this picture, so that both "sides" of the loop will be in contact with the rope - this is a good thing for increasing friction. However, the more turns you use, the more sloppy you can afford to be, and it begins to matter less if some parts of the tape are merely on top of other parts of the tape, rather than touching the rope.

Note that in this case, just one full turn will be used, purely for show. The grip will be more reliable with more turns, however.

Tying a Kreuzklem Prusik (1)

Fig. 20. Wind upwards.
Finish by feeding the top part of the tape loop through the loop formed at the bottom, then pull tight to end up with a very small and neat knot, as in Fig. 21:

Tying a Kreuzklem Prusik (2)

Fig. 21. Feed the top through the bottom.

So what happens if you do it the other way around? I.e., what if you start at the top, then wind down, then feed the bottom part of the loop through the loop formed at the top? Well, you get this:

The Kleimheist Prusik

Same as the Kreuzklem Prusik, except tied the other way around. The main difference is, assuming it will be loaded in the same direction (i.e. downwards in all the photographs), this Prusik requires more turns in order to grip effectively.

It should be noted that the Kleimheist is still a popular and well respected knot, and the fact that it requires more turns than a Kreuzklem is really not a problem unless you are having to work with a particularly small amount of tape.

Tying a Kleimheist Prusik

Start from the top and work your way down, as in Fig. 22. Often four or five turns are necessary, though this will depend on the exact tape and the exact rope being used.

Tying a Kleimheist Prusik (1)

Fig. 22. Wind downwards.
Feed the bottom of the tape loop through the loop formed at the top, as in Fig. 23...

Tying a Kleimheist Prusik (2)

Fig. 23. Feed the bottom through the top.
... then, once it has been fed through, pull it down as in Fig. 24:

Tying a Kleimheist Prusik (3)

Fig. 24. Once fed, pull it back down.

Page 5 of 10 Previous Next [Top of Page]

Page 1: Introduction to Prusiks, and the Original Prusik knot

Page 2: History of the Prusik Knot, and Understanding Prusik Knots

Page 3: The French Prusik

Page 4: The Bachmann Prusik

Page 5: The Kreuzklem Prusik and the Kleimheist Prusik

Page 6: The Penberthy Prusik

Page 7: Example Use (1) - An Adjustable Loop made with the Penberthy Prusik

Page 8: Example Use (2) - A Line Tensioner made with two Original Prusiks on the Same Cord

Page 9: Example Use (3) - Tying a Prusik to a Rigid Pole

Page 10: Getting the most from Prusiks, and Prusik Safety

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