A handcuff knot is a
knot
A knot is an intentional complication in Rope, cordage which may be practical or decorative, or both. Practical knots are classified by function, including List of hitch knots, hitches, List of bend knots, bends, List of loop knots, loop knots, ...
tied
in the bight having two adjustable loops in opposing directions, able to be tightened around hands or feet. The knot itself does not possess any inherent locking action, and thus is not as easy to use for such purposes as the name might suggest.
The knot is also known as a ''hobble knot'' for similar reasons, from the idea that the knot was sometimes used on the legs of horses to limit the distance their riders had to walk in the morning to retrieve them.
Image:Webeleinenstek-1.jpg, 1. Two loops
Image:Fesselknoten-1.jpg, 2. Pull through
Image:Fesselknoten.jpg, 3. Tighten
The knot consists of two simple loops, overlaid, and with the ends pulled through. At that stage, the knot is slippery and easy to adjust. The knot can be "locked" by making one or more
overhand knot
The overhand knot is one of the most fundamental knots, and it forms the basis of many others, including the simple noose, overhand loop, angler's loop, reef knot, fisherman's knot, half hitch, and water knot. The overhand knot is a stoppe ...
s with the loose ends in the manner of a
reef knot
The reef knot, or square knot, is an ancient and simple binding knot used to secure a rope or line around an object. It is sometimes also referred to as a Hercules knot or Heracles knot. The knot is formed by tying a left-handed overhand knot ...
.
[Des Pawson, ''Pocket Guide to Knots & Splices'' (Edison, NJ: Chartwell Books, Inc., 2002), 146.]
The sizes of the two loops can also be fixed by making
half hitch
The half hitch is a simple List of hitch knots, hitch knot, where the Knot#Working end, working end of a line is brought over and under the Knot#Standing part, standing part. Insecure on its own, it is a valuable component of a wide variety of u ...
es with each end over the necks of the loops. This configuration is known as the
fireman's chair knot
A fireman's chair knot (also known as the chair knot) is a knot tied in the bight forming two adjustable, lockable loops. The knot consists of a handcuff knot finished with a locking half hitch around each loop. The loops remain adjustable unt ...
.
Image:Handcuff-knot-ABOK-1140-Reef-finish.jpg, Handcuff knot "locked" with an overhand knot
The overhand knot is one of the most fundamental knots, and it forms the basis of many others, including the simple noose, overhand loop, angler's loop, reef knot, fisherman's knot, half hitch, and water knot. The overhand knot is a stoppe ...
Image:Handcuff-knot-ABOK-1140-Hitch-finish.jpg, Handcuff knot "locked" with half hitch
The half hitch is a simple List of hitch knots, hitch knot, where the Knot#Working end, working end of a line is brought over and under the Knot#Standing part, standing part. Insecure on its own, it is a valuable component of a wide variety of u ...
es, this is also known as the Fireman's chair knot
A fireman's chair knot (also known as the chair knot) is a knot tied in the bight forming two adjustable, lockable loops. The knot consists of a handcuff knot finished with a locking half hitch around each loop. The loops remain adjustable unt ...
See also
*
Tom fool's knot
The Tom fool's knot, also called the conjurer's knot or bow knot, is sometimes considered a handcuff knot but is somewhat inferior for this purpose to the knot which usually bears that name. It is a good knot with which to commence a slightly fan ...
, a similar knot sometimes incorrectly identified as a handcuff knot
*
List of knots
This list of knots includes many alternative names for common knots and lashings. Knot names have evolved over time, and there are many conflicting or confusing naming issues. The overhand knot, for example, is also known as the thumb knot. The ...
References
{{Knots