Papa D Loc: Mantweeka, Ca

My grandson has asked me to teach him how to tie a few knots. I thought I would share them here along the way. I'll try to get at least one new one out every week.

As a mariner, former rock climber and member of the International Guild of Knot Tyers, I know quite a few. Some are crappy -- some are quite good. I won't post a knot that I wouldn't trust with my life.

This one is the Anchor Bend (ABK 1841) and is IMHO the only knot that should be used on an anchor. While ABK recommends finishing with half hitches, I prefer to finish with a double-overhand (see: https://www.fishingstage.com/t-78184-1.html ).

This knot is easily untied no matter the strain that's applied.

Thead the tag through -- leave at least 1ft extra


Tread it through a 2nd time in same direction


Pass the tag end behind the load line


Pass the tag through the 2 loops


Finish with a Double-Overhand


Dress and snug -- leaving a few inches under the Double-Overhand will make it a LOT easier to untie

Chuckay Loc: Central Florida

Good knot to know can use in lots of situations👍 thanks

Grizzly 17 Loc: South central Pa

Papa D I'll try to remember this one.
Never heard of IG of KT.

My wife must be a secret member.
You should see the knots she ties in her necklaces 👍🤣

Papa D Loc: Mantweeka, Ca

I know what you mean -- when I was showing my grandson a chain knot, he said "that's not how Mema does it"!

Jer Loc: N. Illinois 🇺🇸

Good knot that I use regularly. Nice finish with the double overhand knot.

Jarheadfishnfool Loc: Woodlake/Tulare ,Ca.

Thank You Papa !👍🤙

smitty Loc: maine

i luv this stuff
wish i cud remember them all

Papa D Loc: Mantweeka, Ca

Here's what I use to help me remember...

1. Reduce and reuse. For example, I'll use the Double-Overhand for a noose/slip, stopper, fisherman's bend, backup/safety/finish (ala like above), etc. It's the same basic knot just applied multiple ways (and avoids having to learn how to tie yet another knot).

2. Learn knots that are sound independent of conditions. For example, some knots are good for certain types of rope but fail miserably when used with others; others may depend on directional loading factors; some are good under constant tension but fail when tension cycles (eg on anchor or moored). It's hard enough remembering how to tie knots -- also having to remember all the other factors gets overwhelming.

3. Learn a litany/mantra to use every time you tie the knot. For faucets and nuts/bolts I teach my grandkids "lefty loosely, righty tightly". For the Double-Overhand it's: Figure 8 around everything, tuck under the X, make sure the finger is on the twist (I use finger here to describe the top loop -- it should finish on top of the twist much like where you would put your finger on the 1st twist when you're helping your kids tie a bow).

4. Practice, practice, practice.

Jim Sargent Loc: Payson, AZ

Papa D,
Please include a bowline and it's benefits at some point. At Lake Powell we often rent a houseboat and tow either fishing boats or runabouts for miles up lake before choosing a beach. Also one might easily break down and need a tow for forty miles. As you well know any other knot might be a disaster after a very long tow.
Jim Sargent

Papa D Loc: Mantweeka, Ca

Given that the number of fatalities caused by the bowline knot is second only to that of the square knot, I'm reluctant to include it in my list.

For more info, see the following (one of many) IGKT thread discussing the hazards.

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

Do you have similar statistics for a bowline with a bite?

Papa D Loc: Mantweeka, Ca

I don't have statistics but I do know that the two loops are prone to slip if loaded unevenly -- one loop will pull line from the other.

Because of the way it's tied upon the bight, there is no tag that can pull back through and cause the knot to fail.

I probably won't include instructions for it because most folks have a hard time remembering how it's tied. I do plan on covering the Alpine Butterfly (upon the bight) in my next set -- it's easy to remember how to tie and multifunctional.

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

Thanks for the feedback. I have always tied my head sail sheets on with a bowline. I have never had a slip since I started adding a bite. That being said, I have never risked my life on that knot. I am looking forward to your Alpine Butterfly. What knot would you use to tie a halyard to the ring of a bosun chair?

Papa D Loc: Mantweeka, Ca

Regarding your use of the bowline --provided that there is constant load on the line it's a sound knot -- it's on again off again (like on an anchor/mooring line) that results in failure.

I'm having a hard time picturing your bosun's chair set up. The only way I've used a bosun's chair was hung on a hook of a block and tackle (other end attached to the roof of a skyscraper).

Can you give me a little more info. For example, single line run through an overhead pulley to a winch? Is it a permanent or temporary knot? Do you need to adjust the position of the knot on the fly? Do you use a safety harness?

Feel free to make a sketch and snap a pic.

Notwithstanding my lack of understanding, I rarely use anything other than the anchor bend and 2x overhand combo on rings (unless I need an adjustable knot). The only exception that I can think of is on my carabineers that I want to keep oriented consistently, I'll use a combination of a constrictor and 2x overhand combo.

Jim Sargent Loc: Payson, AZ

Papa D,

Thank you for the heads up. I was totally unaware of any risks. Do you recommend another knot to use when towing that won't cinch up so tight that it's hard to remove it?

Jim