Page 41 - The Knot Bible

Double constrictor knot
KNOT SCORE
There are times when even the mighty constrictor knot is liable to slip – Strength
particularly when using slippery modern cordage or waxed string. The Security
solution is to put in an extra turn across the standing part. Don’t be Diffi culty Tying
Diffi culty Untying
tempted to put in any more turns, however, as this won’t increase the
Usefulness
knot’s security and will only make it more diffi cult to tighten evenly.

1 Take a turn around the object, 2 Take a second turn around the 3 Take a third turn around the
and pass the working end diagonally object and over the standing part, object, this time passing over the
over the standing part. fi tting the line snugly next to the standing part from the other side.
fi rst diagonal. Tuck the working end under both
diagonals and the original turn.

4 Tighten the knot by pulling the KNOT KNOW-HOW
working end and the standing part
in opposite directions. Although given its current name by
Clifford Ashley in 1944, the constrictor
knot is much older than that. In his 1866
Book of Knots, Tom Bowlings refers to the
gunner’s knot which ‘only differs from
the builder’s knot [ie clove hitch], by the
ends of the cords being simply knotted
before being brought from under the
loop which crosses them.’ A constrictor
knot by any other name.