Stevedore's Knot

( ABOK #456 )

Animation: Stevedore's Knot

Usage

The Stevedore's Knot is a stopper knot commonly used near the end of a rope to prevent it from slipping through a block or pulley.

History

Historically, the Stevedore's Knot was used by stevedores — workers responsible for loading and unloading ships — who needed a larger stopper knot to prevent lines from running completely through the large blocks used to raise and lower cargo. The knot forms a slightly larger stopper than a typical Overhand Knot, making it ideal for situations where extra bulk is needed to halt a rope's progress.

ABOK

  • 456

Structure

The Stevedore's Knot is essentially a Figure Eight Knot with an additional round turn around the standing part before the working end is passed back through the initial loop.

Strength/Reliability

The Stevedore's Knot is more bulky and less prone to jamming than the closely related Figure Eight Knot, and remains secure even when slack.