The double overhand knot or barrel knot
is simply an extension of the regular
overhand knot
The overhand knot is one of the most fundamental knots, and it forms the basis of many others, including the simple noose, overhand loop, angler's loop, reef knot, fisherman's knot, Half hitch, and water knot. The overhand knot is a stopper, e ...
, made with one additional pass. The result is slightly larger and more difficult to untie. It forms the first part of the
surgeon's knot
The surgeon's knot is a surgical knot and is a simple modification to the reef knot. It adds an extra twist when tying the first throw, forming a double overhand knot. The additional turn provides more friction and can reduce loosening while t ...
and both sides of a
double fisherman's knot
The double fisherman's knot or grapevine knot is a bend. This knot and the triple fisherman's knot are the variations used most often in climbing, arboriculture, and search and rescue. The knot is formed by tying a double overhand knot, in its ...
. According to ''
The Ashley Book of Knots
''The Ashley Book of Knots'' is an encyclopedia of knots written and illustrated by the American sailor and artist Clifford W. Ashley. First published in 1944, it was the culmination of over 11 years of work. The book contains 3,857 numbered en ...
'', "A double overhand knot tied in a
cat-o'-nine-tails is termed a
blood knot."
When weighted, it can be difficult to untie, especially when wet.
The
strangle knot is a rearranged double overhand knot made around an object. It is sometimes used to secure items to posts.
Instructions for tying
# Tie an overhand knot at the end of a rope but do not tighten the knot down.
# Pass the end of the line through the loop created by the first overhand knot.
# Tighten the knot down while sliding it into place at the end of the line. Be sure to leave some tail sticking out from the end of the knot.
Alternatively, the working end of the rope can be wrapped around the standing end twice, and then passed through both resulting loops.
Both methods result in the same knot, though the latter is easier to dress in the compact finished form.
With either method, more loops can be included to make a longer multiple overhand knot (which is also known as a barrel knot or blood knot).
See also
*
List of knots
This list of knots includes many alternative names for common knots and lashings. Knot names have evolved over time, and there are many conflicting or confusing naming issues. The overhand knot, for example, is also known as the thumb knot. The ...
References
Double knots
{{Knot-stub