Overhand Knot

Overhand Knot Tying

Overhand Knot Tying Details

Uses: The Overhand Knot was described by Ashley (ABOK # 46, p 14) as "the simplest of the Single-Strand Stopper Knots." It can also be used to prevent the end of a piece of rope unraveling.

Comparison: The animation shows the close similarity between:

• The Overhand Knot – tied in the end of a rope;
• The Half Hitch – attaches a rope to something, e.g., a Hitching Post;
• The Half Knot – a binding knot – first part of a Square (Reef) Knot.

Double Overhand: The first turn is often followed by a second - to create the larger stopper knot, the Double Overhand.

Recommendations: As a stopper the Overhand Knot has one advantage: it is one of the few stopper knots that can be tied tightly up against an object or a knot. Although the Double Overhand makes a good stopper "Knot", when an even larger stopper knot is required, the Ashley Stopper Knot is preferred.