Page 83 - The Knot Bible

Alpine butterfl y bend
KNOT SCORE
Another relatively recent addition to the canon of knots, the alpine Strength
butterfl y bend is essentially a butterfl y loop (page 126) with the loop cut Security
off. Although it probably isn’t everyone’s favourite knot, its performance Diffi culty Tying
Diffi culty Untying
compares well with that of its better-known cousins such as the zeppelin
Usefulness
bend and carrick bend. Use this knot for joining ropes of the same size.

1 Put a bight in the end of each line, 2 Pass the working ends under their 3 Pass the working ends through
and interlock them together. respective standing parts to create both loops.
two interlocking underhand loops.

4 Tighten the knot by KNOT KNOW-HOW
pulling on both ends
simultaneously. Neither the alpine butterfl y bend nor
the alpine butterfl y loop appear in
The Ashley Book of Knots, which suggests
they may have appeared after 1944.
Ashley does however feature a lineman’s
loop, which is essentially the same thing
as an alpine butterfl y loop. Both knots
are also known by their abbreviated
names: butterfl y bend and butterfl y loop.