The Kalmyk Loop () is a fixed loop still largely unused in the West, but common in Russia and often used instead of the

bowline The bowline () is an ancient and simple knot used to form a fixed loop at the end of a rope. It has the virtues of being both easy to tie and untie; most notably, it is easy to untie after being subjected to a load. The bowline is sometimes refe ...

. The knot is named after the

Kalmyks Kalmyks (), archaically anglicised as Calmucks (), are the only Mongolic ethnic group living in Europe, residing in the easternmost part of the European Plain. This dry steppe area, west of the lower Volga River, known among the nomads as ...

, a nomad ethnicity in Russia. It is very quick to tie, it is secure, and it undoes quickly when pulling the free end. The knot is not mentioned in ''

The Ashley Book of Knots ''The Ashley Book of Knots'' is an encyclopedia of knots written and illustrated by the American sailor and artist Clifford W. Ashley. First published in 1944, it was the culmination of over 11 years of work. The book contains 3,857 numbered ent ...

'' but is found in its Russian equivalent, the book "Морские узлы" by Lev Skryagin. Without the

slip Slip or The Slip may refer to: * Slip (clothing), an underdress or underskirt Music * The Slip (band), a rock band * ''Slip'' (album), a 1993 album by the band Quicksand * ''The Slip'' (album) (2008), a.k.a. Halo 27, the seventh studio al ...

, the knot is known as the Cossack knot or

Eskimo bowline The Eskimo bowline, Cossack knot (), reverse bowline, or 'anti- bowline' is in a class of knots known as 'eye knots' or ' loop knots'. The eye is formed in the end of the rope to permit attachments/connections. It is quite common in Russia and ...

Sources

*Скрягин Л. Н. Морские узлы — Москва, Транспорт, 1982

External links

russian article with pictures

Kalmyk Loop (калмыцкий узел)

Can the Kalmyk Unseat the Bowline as King of Knots?
* * {{cite web , date=2023-09-11 , author=TheTautLine , title=Complete Guide to the Bowline Knot and its Most Important Variants: Kalmyk Loop , url=https://youtube.com/watch?v=QgewPTFzJzg?t=1159 , website=YouTube
Video: How to tie 1Video: How to tie 2Video: How to tie 3
Knots Russian inventions Kalmyk culture