The fisherman's knot is a
bend (a
knot
A knot is an intentional complication in Rope, cordage which may be practical or decorative, or both. Practical knots are classified by function, including List of hitch knots, hitches, List of bend knots, bends, List of loop knots, loop knots, ...
for joining two lines) with a symmetrical structure. The fisherman's knot is also known as: angler's knot, English knot, halibut knot, waterman's knot, and true lover's knot.
Properties
The bend consists of two
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 stoppe ...
s, each tied around the
standing part of the other. It is compact,
jams when tightened, and the
working ends can be cropped very close to the knot. It can easily be tied with cold, wet hands.
Image:Spierenstich-1.jpg, 1. First overhand
Image:Spierenstich-2.jpg, 2. Second overhand
Image:Spierenstich-3.jpg, 3. Tighten
Uses
These properties are well suited to
fishing
Fishing is the activity of trying to catch fish. Fish are often caught as wildlife from the natural environment (Freshwater ecosystem, freshwater or Marine ecosystem, marine), but may also be caught from Fish stocking, stocked Body of water, ...
, so the fisherman's knot is often used with
fishing line
A fishing line is any flexible, high-tensile cord used in angling to tether and pull in fish, in conjunction with at least one hook. Fishing lines are usually pulled by and stored in a reel, but can also be retrieved by hand, with a fixed att ...
. However it can slip when using modern
nylon monofilament line, which is more slippery than historic fishing materials. If more holding strength is required, the overhand knots can be made with more turns, as in the
double fisherman's knot, and
triple fisherman's knot. Other knots sometimes provide superior performance with nylon lines, such as the
blood knot
''Blood Knot'' is an early play by South African playwright, actor, and director Athol Fugard. Its single-performance premier was in 1961 in Johannesburg, South Africa, with the playwright and Zakes Mokae playing the brothers Morris and Zacharia ...
.
In knitting, this knot is used to join two strands of yarn. In this context, it is commonly known as "the magic knot".
Learn the Magic Knot Join
/ref>
See also
* True lover's knot
*List of bend knots
A list is a set of discrete items of information collected and set forth in some format for utility, entertainment, or other purposes. A list may be memorialized in any number of ways, including existing only in the mind of the list-maker, but ...
*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
Fishing knots
Knots