Page 109 - Des Pawson "Pocket Guide to Knots & Splices"

Constrictor Knot

This is a very useful development from the clove hitch. With just one extra tuck
you have a knot that can be tightened round any object. Made in fine twine it

makes an ideal quick provisional whipping on the end of a cut length of rope. It
will do the job of a temporary hoseclip, or a round clamp when gluing up a
split in a round piece of wood. A really tight knot can be made if the ends of

the line are pulled with the line held round a spike or screwdriver, preferably
with a marlinespike hitch. But be warned! It grabs so tightly that it is very hard

to undo; you may have to resort to a spike or even a knife.

1 Start with a clove hitch.
2 Bring the working end tuck over and

under the standing part, making the first
half of a reef knot.
3 Pull tight so that the half knot is trapped

under the crossing of the clove hitch to
finish the knot.

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