A handcuff knot is a
knot
A knot is an intentional complication in cordage which may be practical or decorative, or both. Practical knots are classified by function, including hitches, bends, loop knots, and splices: a ''hitch'' fastens a rope to another object; a ' ...
tied
in the bight having two adjustable loops in opposing directions, able to be tightened around hands or feet. The knot itself does not possess any inherent locking action, and thus is not as easy to use for such purposes as the name might suggest.
The knot is also known as a ''hobble knot'' for similar reasons, from the idea that the knot was sometimes used on the legs of horses to limit the distance their riders had to walk in the morning to retrieve them.
Image:Webeleinenstek-1.jpg, 1. Two loops
Image:Fesselknoten-1.jpg, 2. Pull through
Image:Fesselknoten.jpg, 3. Tighten
The knot consists of two simple loops, overlaid, and with the ends pulled through. At that stage, the knot is slippery and easy to adjust. The knot can be "locked" by making one or more
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, ...
s with the loose ends in the manner of a
reef knot
The reef knot, or square knot, is an ancient and simple binding knot used to secure a rope or line around an object. It is sometimes also referred to as a Hercules knot. The knot is formed by tying a left-handed overhand knot between two ends, ...
.
[Des Pawson, ''Pocket Guide to Knots & Splices'' (Edison, NJ: Chartwell Books, Inc., 2002), 146.]
The sizes of the two loops can also be fixed by making
half hitch
The half hitch is a simple overhand knot, where the working end of a line is brought over and under the standing part. Insecure on its own, it is a valuable component of a wide variety of useful and reliable hitches, bends, and knot
A kno ...
es with each end over the necks of the loops. This configuration is known as the
fireman's chair knot
A fireman's chair knot (also known as the chair knot, Man-O-War sheepshank, double fool's harness or the Shaw special) is a knot tied in the bight forming two adjustable, lockable loops. The knot consists of a handcuff knot finished with a loc ...
.
Image:Handcuff-knot-ABOK-1140-Reef-finish.jpg, Handcuff knot "locked" with an 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, ...
Image:Handcuff-knot-ABOK-1140-Hitch-finish.jpg, Handcuff knot "locked" with half hitch
The half hitch is a simple overhand knot, where the working end of a line is brought over and under the standing part. Insecure on its own, it is a valuable component of a wide variety of useful and reliable hitches, bends, and knot
A kno ...
es, this is also known as the Fireman's chair knot
A fireman's chair knot (also known as the chair knot, Man-O-War sheepshank, double fool's harness or the Shaw special) is a knot tied in the bight forming two adjustable, lockable loops. The knot consists of a handcuff knot finished with a loc ...
See also
*
Tom fool's knot
The Tom fool's knot, also known as the conjurer's knot, bow knot and Greek fool's knot, is a type of knot sometimes considered a handcuff knot, though usually considered somewhat inferior to it. It is a good knot with which to commence a slightl ...
, a similar knot sometimes incorrectly identified as a handcuff knot
*
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
{{Knots