Page 48 - Jim Whippy - Reeds Knot Handbook

Before the invention of cranes, longshoremen used the
stevedore’s knot for loading and unloading cargo from a
ship’s hold. They needed a powerful stopper knot to ensure
that the rope didn’t slip through the hoist pulley, and yet
one that was easy to untie – the stevedore’s knot was the
perfect solution.
It is more bulky but less prone to jamming than the
closely related figure-of-eight knot (see pages 38–39). Today, FIgure-oF-eIght Knots
its uses are less industrial, but it remains an excellent way of
making sure that no line ever slips through a rope pulley. It
can be tied in most types of line and also works well in thick
rope. Although this knot is bulkier than the standard figure-
of-eight, it can be untied more easily after use.

3
Add two more half twists
until the line has crossed
itself a total of four
times.

4
Take the working end
and tuck it up through
the largest loop and pull
to tighten.

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