Page 142 - Geoffrey Budworth, Jason Dalton "The Little Book of Incredibly Useful Knots"
P. 142
Trident loop
Robert M. Wolfe, MD, of Chicago, Illinois, devised this knot for climbers as an alternative to
the figure-eight loop, and began to promote it in 1995. The greater tensile strength of the latest
climbing ropes compensates for the fact that the trident loop is somewhat weaker than the one
it is intended to replace; however, it is remarkably secure (in shock-loading tests it yielded not a
millimeter). Take care that each stage is done correctly: one mistaken tuck or turn will result in
something less reliable.
Tie an overhand knot, far enough away from the working end to allow for the size of loop intended
(1). Bring the end around to form the loop (2), then lay a small bight over the belly of the initial
overhand knot and tuck it through between the two entwined knot parts (3). Tighten the knot a bit
at a time until all of the slack has been eliminated. Finally, pass the working end around and in
front of the standing part of the line, before tucking it to tie a retaining half hitch (4, 5).
