The Double Overhand Stopper Knot

To tie the knot move the mouse along the numbers 1 - 8.

Structure: The Double Overhand Knot (ABOK # 516, p 84.) is an excellent stopper knot. The method of tying it above ensures that the knot will form neatly. The picture on the left is an alternative method of tying the double overhand. This is easier to visualize and simpler to tie - merely tie an overhand knot (see picture on right) and thread the end a second time. However, to make this version of the knot form neatly, it is usually necessary to twist the two ends while pulling.

Uses: In addition to acting as a stopper in the end of a rope, it can act as part of another knot or used to add security:

1. Unless under load, a Bowline can shake loose. By taking the free end and forming a Double Overhand knot round the neighboring part of the loop, this risk is virtually eliminated (picture on left).

2. Two Double Overhand knots are used to join two ropes using the Double Fisherman's (picture on right).

3. The Double Overhand can be added to the Figure Eight Follow Through to form a stopper knot around the standing end and to the Figure Eight Join to form a stopper knots around both standing ends.

The Ashley: Of the various other stopper knots, the Ashley (ABOK # 526, p 86.), or "Oysterman's Stopper", is excellent, easily learned, but not widely used: merely create a loop overhand knot and pass the end through (left being tied; right completed, far right spread out to show three-lobed structure). It is a pleasure to acknowledge Dan Lehman's persistent efforts to make me photograph this knot correctly - thank you Dan!

Other Stoppers: The Figure of Eight is much more widely used, especially in boating, but tends to come undone. The Matthew Walker requires three or four strand rope because it is tied with the separated strands. Therefore, after the strands are reassembled and whipped it cannot be just "untied". Its greatest use may be in smart installations such as rope handrails.