Stevedore's Knot
( ABOK #456 )
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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.
Common Uses
- prevent a rope from slipping through a pulley or block.
- make a medium-sized stopper on the end of a rope.
- keep a rope from running out of a hole or slot.
- add a grip point at the end of a rope for pulling.
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.
