Page 104 - Des Pawson "Pocket Guide to Knots & Splices"

Surgeon’s Knot

The surgeon’s knot is based on the
reef knot but with extra turns. When
tying off sutures inside the body,

surgeons use forceps to make this
knot, but for everyday use, in

everyday materials, hands and fingers
do the perfect job. Start as the reef
knot but make an extra tuck which

holds the knot in place in readiness
for the second or top part of the

finished knot. There may be either one
finishing tuck on top like the reef or
two like the lower part of the knot.

The surgeon’s knot is a useful knot to
have to tie up those hard to control

bundles like a rolled up tent, foam
mattress or a really squashy parcel.

1 Start as a reef knot but then tuck the left-
hand working end a second time.

2 Tuck what is now the right-hand working
Pocket Guide to Knots & Splices
end over and under the left-hand working
end.

3 Make a second tuck with the left-hand
working end.
4 Pull tight. Note that the surgeon’s knot is

flat like a reef knot.
5 The finished knot.

102