About ten minutes after humans figured out how to make rope we started devising ways to tie two pieces together. Knot tying is a valuable skill for any Toolmonger, so today I present to you the first in a series of practical knots that you can use in daily life: the Fisherman’s Knot. Often used to re-connect tuna nets, it’s also handy for connecting two short ropes together into a single, longer one. In fact, I used this very knot today to repair to my shoelaces.
The Fisherman’s Knot is a bend – a knot used to connect two pieces of rope together. It’s easy to tie and won’t come untied on it’s own while under tension.
Step 1: Lay the two pieces of rope next to each other. Tie a counterclockwise overhand knot with the upper rope around the bottom rope as shown below.
Step 2: Tie another counterclockwise overhand knot with the bottom rope around the upper rope.
Step 3: Tighten each individual knot around the rope it’s clasping.
Step 4: Once the two knots are tight, pull both standing ends of the rope so the knots are snug next to each other.
Step 5: You’re done! Seriously, that’s it. You’ve successfully created a bend knot to securely join two pieces of rope. It should look something like this.
Some links to additional information about this knot:
Step-By-Step Video Instructions [www.iwillknot.com]
Fisherman’s Knot Wikipedia Article [www.wikipedia.org]
The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Knots & Ropework Via Amazon
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8 Responses to Knotty Bits: The Fisherman’s Knot
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Even cooler, make the same knot into a barrel knot by doubling or tripling each of the overhand knots.
and here I thought this would have been under the category “Hot or Knot”.
Lots of knot web sites and books out there. One of the better manuals is The Outdoors Knots Book, which has all the basics without being overwhelming or lots of froufrou knots.
Yeah, try to untie that once its been put under strain. It is a good bend for monofilament
though.
Carrick bend (untieable) and or surgeons knot (jamming) are two other bends that y’all
should be familiar with.
As for books on knots, Ashley Book of Knots is THE reference book to cite when dealing with knots.
ttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ashley_Book_of_Knots
Unless I’m missing something, the 2nd knot is Clockwise, not counterclockwise. Which should it be? Does it matter?
I like the Rosendahl/Zeppelin bend. It’s secure but easy to untie, and easy to remember (“bq”), too.
http://www.geocities.com/roo_two/Zeppelin.html
Here’s my favorite knot site, “Animated Knots by Grog” http://www.animatedknots.com/ ;
although I couldn’t find the exact knot as above, but they did have “The Double Fisherman’s Bend” http://www.animatedknots.com/doublefishermans/index.php , which looks like a more secure knot. With 119 different knots, http://www.animatedknots.com/knotlist.php , each
with animated step by step instructions, this is the first site I turn to for knots.
The double fisherman’s knot is great for tying necklaces. Tie the two ends of a leather strap together. In this way, you can easily adjust the length, and it stays put until the leather breaks from wear.