Double Fisherman’s Knot

Double Fisherman’s Knot

Double Fisherman’s Knot

The double fisherman’s knot, also known as the grapevine knot uses two double overhand knots in their strangle knot form, one tied around the standing part of the other. This makes it stronger than the fisherman’s knot. Though mainly used as a bend to join two ropes it can also be tied with the ends of a single rope to make a loop with it. Examples are the Bachmann knot and the Prusik loop utilized in tying the Prusik knot. It is used in creating a cordelette to assist rock climbers.

Tips

1. The back view of the knot shows a symmetrical structure.
2. The triple fisherman’s knot is recommended for high modulus ropes used for load bearing.
3. Some tests with specific ropes have shown that it has a breaking strength of around 5,820 pounds and depletes around 46.1% of the rope’s original strength (54 % efficiency).

Advantages	Disadvantages
Easy to tie	If tied wrongly, likely to fail
Compact	Jams so badly that it is almost welded
Strong	Difficult to untie

Uses

1. To join two lengths of fishing lines by fishermen
2. Provides a powerful and reliable way of joining 2 climbing ropes
3. In search and rescue operations
4. Allows retrieval of the rope even after being used for a full rope-length abseil
5. Backing up important knots
6. Creating termination knots by arborists
7. Tying webbing
8. Making paracord bracelets and necklaces
9. In knot-tying ceremonies at weddings

Steps to Tying a Double Fisherman’s Knot

1. Make a loop with the red rope
2. Loop once more and feed its end into it
3. Make a loop with the blue rope
4. Loop again and tuck its end into it
5. Tighten the two individual knots by their tag ends
6. Pull the standing parts to draw the knots close together

Alternatives

• Zeppelin bend – Easier to undo
• Figure 8 bend – Bulkier, especially when stopper knots are included for extra security