Reef Knot
The Reef Knot would be one of the most popular knots yet one of the most misused! The Reef knots sole purpose should be to tie off a single line, acting as a binding knot. Therefore it will always be work in line of equal weight, texture and size. It is not a bend and should never be used to join two lines. As a bend it is unsafe and tends to collapse, forming a Lark's Head Knot around one line, through which the line will slip. It is in essence, the ease in which the Reef Knot spills (collapses) that gives it its value.
The Reef Knot is a true binding knot and as such makes a very handsome flat knot. The ease of which it is tied helps with its popularity.
The Reef Knot is often confused with the Granny Knot. When tied correctly, the working and standing ends of the Reef Knot, protrude from the same point, either over or under the respective bights at each end of the knot. In the case of the Granny Knot, they will be opposed. Eg., with the standing end under the bight, the accompanying working end would be over the bight. Although the Granny knot doesn’t have the same tendency to collapse as the Reef knot when used as a bend, it too should not be used for such purpose as it has a tendency to slip.
About Rope Knots
Regardless of your situation at some point in your life you’ll encounter a thread, cord or rope knot. Research records of archaeologist J Wymer shows records of knots as far back as 380,000 years ago! Some of these knots are as described, as used then, on this site.
Your life will be made easier and safer with some knowledge of how to tie a knot.
This site holds over 250 different animated knots. That is more than most could be expected to reasonably use. However, the question still remains; for the situation you currently find yourself, which knot should you use?
It is my hope that the animated illustrations provided on this site will assist and encourage you to extend your knot tying skills.
Rope knots can basically be divided into the following groups:
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Bends - Joining two lines by intertwining them, without splicing, or sewing.
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Hitches - A knot that secures a rope or line to another object.
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Stopper – Used to bind strands at the end of a rope to stop fraying or unraveling.
Also formed to stop a rope slipping through a hole or to provide a weight or handhold.
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Bindings – Much like hitches. They are used to bind either lines or objects together. Their aim is
to keep objects in place.
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Splices – Describes the act of joining the ends, or the end and a standing part, of rope by
interweaving strands. They are not knots in themselves.
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Loops – Loops create structures used to tie, or secure, another object or line to another line.
They can be formed at the end or midway a length of rope.
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Plaits - Weaving several lines together to form a pattern and a cohesive structure.
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Miscellaneous & Decorative – Knots that have decorative, dress or multiple category
characteristics.
The rope knot section of this site is set out with these groups firmly in mind.
Good luck
Andy
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