Page 153 - Adlard Coles "The Knot Bible"

Ashley’s stopper

There is a tradition in knot-tying that knots are rarely named after people KNOT SCORE
– no doubt in recognition of the fact that most knots have been around Strength
for centuries before they are ‘discovered’ by someone and claimed as their Security
own. One exception is the Matthew Walker knot (page 210), named after Diffi culty Tying

an unknown historic figure. Another is Ashley’s stopper, named after the Diffi culty Untying
Usefulness
man who did more than anyone else to promote the art of knot-tying.
The weight of history hangs heavily publication, it was this book which
on this knot. For this is the knot that revived interest in the art of
Clifford Ashley devised when he was knot-tying and led to the current
trying to replicate a stopper knot he’d enthusiasm for the activity. And it
spotted on an oyster boat on the was all because of a misleading knot

Delaware Bay one spring around 1910. on a fishing boat that pricked
The knot in question turned out to Ashley’s interest over a century ago.
be nothing more than a fi gure-eight The knot he devised may or may
(page 150) tied into a swollen old not be original (most knots turn out
length of line. But the investigation to be centuries old) but it certainly
it prompted and the invention of makes an effective stopper. Based on
what he named the oysterman’s a simple overhand noose tightened
stopper got Ashley hooked on knots. on its own end, it fills a larger hole

Over the next 30 years, he spent than either the overhand or fi gure-
all of his spare time researching the eight knot. And it has a pleasing,
history of knots used by various trefoil-like appearance.
trades across the United States, In recognition of his vast
culminating in the publication of his contribution to the world of knot-
totemic The Ashley Book of Knots tying, the knot is now usually
in 1944. More than any other referred to as Ashley’s stopper.

1 Form an underhand loop in the 2 Pull a bight out of the standing 3 Tuck the working end through
end of the line, and place it over the part and pull it through the loop to the noose. Pull the standing part to
standing part as shown. make a noose. close the noose, and tighten the knot.

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