Uses: The Hunter’s Bend is one in a family of knots based on interlocking overhand knots. It is used to join two ropes together of roughly the same size.

Origin: In October 1978, an article in The Times presented it as a newly invented knot credited to Dr. Edward Hunter. He had used it for years to tie broken shoelaces before discovering its originality through a friend in the 1970s. When it appeared on the front page, it led to much publicity for the knot and also to the formation of the International Guild of Knot Tyers

However, Amory Bloch Lovins pointed out that Phil Smith had described it as the “Rigger’s Bend” in Knots for Mountaineering (Desert Trail, 1967) and claimed to have used it for more than thirty years on the San Francisco waterfront. Rightly or wrongly it now goes by The Hunter’s Bend – and it has been give the number 1425A in the revised version of Ashley’s Book.

Warning: For the Animation, the ends were left short. For critical loads, e.g., when Climbing, the ends must be left much longer.

Similar Knots:
The Hunter’s Bend is remarkably similar to several other bends including the
Zeppelin, the
Ashley, and the
Alpine Butterfly Bend.
Essentially these knots employ interlocking overhand knots with the ends threaded through or across the middle. David M. Delaney tested these bends and the Carrick Bend for their tendency to jam. He heavily loaded the knots tied in 1/16 inch braided nylon. The Ashley Bend and the Hunter’s Bend consistently jammed tight and would have had to be cut to release them. The Alpine Butterfly Bend, the Zeppelin, and the Carrick could all be untied easily using fingers and fingernails.

Tying it: The arrangement of the interlocking loops and the path of the ends through the center are critical. Similarity to other bends employing interlocking overhand knots invites confusion – and mistakes.

Choice: Because of potential confusion and errors, we recommend the Zeppelin because it resists jamming and the Alpine Butterfly Bend because, uniquely, it is tied easily by wrapping the rope round the hand. Among the family of bends based on linked overhand knots, it would seem prudent to avoid the Ashley and the Hunter’s because they both tend to jam and offer no unique advantage to justify their use.

Knitting: The very feature which is a disadvantage in rope, is highly desirable when knitting. Both the Ashley and the Hunter’s Bend make excellent knots for joining two ends when knitting. The last thing you wish to see is your garment unraveling.