Page 37 - Alpheus Hyatt Verrill "Knots, Splices and Rope-Work"

One of these knots, known as the "Tomfool Knot" (Fig. 66), is used as handcuffs and has
become quite famous, owing to its having baffled a number of "Handcuff Kings" and
other performers who readily escaped from common knots and manacles. It is made like
the running knot (Fig. 62), and the firm end is then passed through the open, simple knot
so as to form a double loop or bow. If the hands or wrists are placed within these loops
and the latter drawn taut, and the loose ends tied firmly around the central part, a pair of
wonderfully secure handcuffs results.