Knot&Oak
Home How to Tie a Double Fisherman's Knot
also called the grapevine bend
The classic way to join two ropes or cords for good: each end ties a double overhand round the other rope, then the two knots slide together and nest.
| Joins | Two ropes or cords of similar size |
|---|---|
| Wraps | Two each end (three for a triple) |
| Tails | At least 10–12× the rope diameter |
| Security | Very high · hard to untie once loaded |
Rope ARope BTwo double overhandsTailsPasted in: rope A meets rope B, two knots nested in the middle.
01Entry 01 · the whole route 11 s at 4×
Overlap, wrap, tuck, the same again from the other side, snug, pull. Watch it once at speed, then go through it step by step.
One stamp for each step as the clip passes it.
02Entry 02 · before you start kit check at the hut door
Rope ARope BThe overlapRope A comes in from the left, rope B from the right; their ends overlap with plenty to spare.
It works best for two ropes of similar diameter, such as two lengths of the same cord or two climbing ropes.
Leave each tail at least 10–12 times the rope diameter beyond its knot: about 8 cm (3 in) on 7 mm cord.
Lay each wrap neatly beside the last, with no crossings, so the knots tighten evenly and nest.
03Entry 03 · the ascent six huts, one stamp each
Lay the two ends side by side, pointing opposite ways, with plenty of tail: about 30 cm (12 in) of each end past the other rope.
NoteKeep the two ropes parallel, not twisted round each other.
Take the end of rope A and wrap it twice round both ropes, working back towards the middle.
NoteLay the second wrap neatly beside the first, not over it.
Tuck the end back through the inside of both wraps so it comes out beside the other rope, pointing away from the middle.
NoteThat is a double overhand tied round rope B: half the knot is done.
Do the same with the end of rope B: two wraps round both ropes towards the middle, then back through the wraps.
NoteIt is the same knot the other way round: turn the work end for end and the two halves match.
Work each knot down tight, pulling its end against its own rope so the wraps bed down side by side.
NoteDress first, then tighten: crossed wraps will not sit flat.
Pull the two ropes in opposite directions. The knots slide together and nest in the middle.
NoteFinish with a firm pull on both ropes to seat the knots against each other.
04Entry 04 · warden’s inspection tick each one off
05Entry 05 · the warden’s notes pinned up by the stove
Tie each half with three wraps instead of two, then tuck back through all three. The extra turn gives slick or stiff cord more to grip, such as Dyneema or aramid-cored accessory cord.
Longer and bulkier, but it holds where two wraps might creep.Cut about 1.2–1.5 m of accessory cord a few millimetres thinner than your rope (5–7 mm for a 9–11 mm rope), lay the two ends together and tie them with a double fisherman’s to close the loop.
Leave long tails and pull it hard before first use.Once it has held a real load, a body weight or a fall, the double fisherman’s cinches very tight and can be close to impossible to undo. That is why it suits joins meant to stay tied: Prusik loops, cordelettes, closed slings.
For a join you will want to take apart often, choose a different bend.06Entry 06 · on the slate board interactive 3D
Drag to turn the knot and see both faces, pinch in on the wraps, scrub back to any step, or glow rope A to follow it through its knot and out the far side.
· Drag to turn · pinch to zoom
07Entry 07 · common uses signed in by visitors
Tie a length of accessory cord into a loop for Prusik hitches and other friction hitches.the classic job
Join two climbing ropes for a long abseil, then pull them down after you.with care: it is bulky and can snag on the pull-down
The same knot, under its other name, the grapevine, joins two lengths of monofilament.trim the tails short
Close a long loop of cord used to build anchors from several placements.tie it with long tails
Any closed loop: a sling, a tie-off, a chalk-bag belt or a loop for a key ring.one rope, both ends
08Entry 08 · take a page pin it or print it
All six steps on one logbook page. Pin it, or print it and keep it in the lid of your rope bag.