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The thief's knot resembles the
The Reef Knot Family
{{Knots
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, ...
(square knot) except that the free, or bitter
Bitter may refer to:
Common uses
* Resentment, negative emotion or attitude, similar to being jaded, cynical or otherwise negatively affected by experience
* Bitter (taste), one of the five basic tastes
Books
* '' Bitter (novel)'', a 2022 nove ...
ends are on opposite sides. It is said that sailors would secure their belongings in a ditty bag
Ditty is the surname of:
* Herbert Ditty (died 1998), Ulster Unionist politician and Lord Mayor of Belfast, Northern Ireland
* James S. Ditty (1880–1962), American photo-engraver and entrepreneur
* Julie Ditty (born 1979), American tennis play ...
using the thief knot, often with the ends hidden. If another sailor went through the bag, the odds were high the thief would tie the bag back using the more common reef knot, revealing the tampering, hence the name. It is difficult to tie by mistake, unlike the granny knot
The granny knot is a binding knot, used to secure a rope or line around an object. It is considered inferior to the reef knot (square knot), which it superficially resembles. Neither of these knots should be used as a bend knot for attaching tw ...
, unless one attempts to tie a square knot in a similar manner to a sheet bend
The sheet bend (also known as becket bend, weaver's knot and weaver's hitch) is a bend. It is practical for joining lines of different diameter or rigidity.
It is quick and easy to tie, and is considered so essential it is the first knot given ...
(which is the correct way to tie a thief knot), then it is possible to tie accidentally.
The thief knot is much less secure than the already insecure reef knot. It unties itself if the lines are pulled when the same action would seize a reef knot. (knot number 1207)
Tying
Related knots
See also
*List of binding knots
A binding knot is a knot that may be used to keep an object or multiple loose objects together, using a string or a rope that passes at least once around them. There are various binding knots, divided into two types. Friction knots are held in ...
*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 ...
Sources
External links
The Reef Knot Family
{{Knots