2026
Knot Fu Knights™

These are FUN knot tying WORKSHOPS can be booked by individuals or small groups on various weekday or weekend nights, or be the feature of a Troop Meeting, or be the main event at one of our Merit Badge Pioneering Classes on a Saturday or Sunday at the camp.

Contact Ben Walker to introduce your group to the below K1 Class. Both newbies and knot experts will be amazed by each workshop level. These unique knot and rope skill are not seen anywhere else.

Workshop locations vary in the Greater Bay Area, but happen primarily in Los Gatos or San Jose, California. We can also meet at the Tribal Wisdom Academy Camp. These sessions are social, yet teach very serious skills. Book your private group for a Knot Fu skill workshop. 

Sensei Ben has been hired by many Scout Troops, Cub Packs, and has taught at Scoutmaster Roundtables and University of Scouting Training Courses. Girl Scouts Troops have also proven themselves as amazing Knot Fu Knights.

 
Ben Jamin Walker is the inventor and originator of Knot Fu™, beginning with many years of development work in the 1970's. As the World Grand Master, Sensei Ben moves rope with apparent magic. 

As a BSA summer camp Scoutcraft Director, Ben Walker was often referred to as "The Jedi Boy Scout". But being "Ben" (instead of "Jed"), the term "Benjai" is used by enthusiastic students who call themselves "The Benjai".  

When you see the magical ways of Knot Fu™ in action, you will understand the enthusiasm. These rope skill are crazy fun!

Cost varies depending on the group size, location, and length of the workshop(s) desired. See our Birthday Party Event Page as a cost and “camp venue” reference, which is basically a small group rate of $900 per 2-1/2 hours.

The best workshop intensive class size is between 9 to 12 students, but we have also often had a flash-presentation of Knot Fu skills with over a hundred students. Talk with Ben to create a custom Knot Fu event package for your group.

Below are the 4 Knot Fu Levels, which would each require three hours of fun instruction.
Or instead, a custom combination of knots and rope skills can be adapted organically during the workshop to meet the current skills and needs of the group.

K1. Knot Fu Lin Jedi

(Award is a special rope for practicing your new skills)

This K1 hands-on workshop introduces Grand Master Ben Jamin Walker's very easy methods of tying and untying knots. Ben uses this first session to prepare you for the Knot Fu™ journey ahead. Beginners will discover the magic of skillful knot tying, and veteran knot-knuts will discover their long-lost tribe! 

This 3-hour "Not Foolin' Jedi" workshop teaches what Ben considers to be the essential foundational skills and attitudes of Knot Fu™. You can learn K1 in two sessions if you like. It is also a prerequisite to the Comprehensive K2 Knot Fu Workshop. In this K1 workshop we will blow your mind. 


K1 Take home skills:

  • Introduction to how various knots are surprisingly related, and can be learned together in systematic progression with ease.

  • Learn to tie shoes with the "locked double-slipping square knot".

  • Tie the "one-handed bowline".

  • Level-one square knots and sheet bends.

  • Chain Hitches and rope coils.

  • Slip Knots, Stopper Knots, the Figure-8, and Follow-thru-knots.

  • The power to believe in extreme levels of Knot Fu™, as you experience Sensei Ben untying knots without even touching them.

K2. Knot Fu Scout

(AWARD IS ONE BRASS STAR THAT ATTACHES TO YOUR SHIRT)

This deeply comprehensive workshop teaches both beginners and experts the easy Knot Fu™ method of learning the main knot families and how to use them. Boy Scouts, sailors, hunters, mountain climbers and outdoorsmen will gain Knot Fu as a powerful and impressive tool. This deeply comprehensive class is designed for beginner adults (kids welcome) and veteran experts of all ages.

K2 Take home skills: 

You will experience the Benjai Bowline, learn the magical Knot Fu Clove Hitches, exercise exact methods to acquire the two-half hitch, tautline, timber hitch, plus various sheetbends and the butterfly. 

K3.  Knot Fu Blackbelt 

(AWARD is a 2nd BRASS STAR)

This 3rd workshop is where "Kansas-is-going-bye-bye", (a quote from the movie, "The Matrix"). As a prerequisite your hands and mind will need at least 5 days of practicing the Knot Fu™ skills learned in the K1 and K2 workshops. As a Knot Fu Blackbelt you will be adding speed and style to the K2 techniques. You will also get new K3 knots and new levels.

K3 Take-home skills:

Ben will give you as much as you can personally handle, like various one-handed knots, the complete Clove Hitch Kata, the famous Benjai Sheetbends and Bowlines, the elusive Monkey's Fist, the Lariat Loop, the Sheep Shank, Trucker's Hitch and various secrets of the universe.

K4. Knot Fu Sensei

(AWARD is a 3rd BRASS STAR)

This workshop is for potential teachers of Knot Fu™. The rank of Sensei is awarded on an individual basis by Grand Master Ben. The K4 Sensei level will develop your stage-presence and your own Sensei-persona. Ben will also guide you in perfecting your technique in each knot, and reveal to you deeper levels of Knot Fu, and new skills like "Splice Fu" (required to teach the Pioneering Merit Badge to Boy Scouts). 

Email Ben Walker today at tribalwisdomacademy@gmail.com

Knot Fu™ and Tribal Wisdom Academy™ are trademarks of Tribal Wisdom Academy, LLC, and are not affiliated with the Boy Scouts of America or Girl Guides. Ben has been a registered BSA Merit Badge Counselor for Pioneering, Wilderness Survival, Orienteering and nine other merit badges in the Silicon Valley Monterey Bay Council.