Fisherman's Knot
Also known as: English Knot, True Lover's Knot
bend knot
Before the double fisherman's knot became the standard for joining climbing cord, its simpler single-wrap ancestor - the plain fisherman's knot, sometimes romantically called the true lover's knot for the way its two interlocking overhand knots pull together and can't be separated without untying both - served the same basic purpose in lighter cordage and twine, where maximum security mattered less than tying speed.
Its construction is a direct, simpler cousin of the double fisherman's: instead of two double overhand knots interlocking, it's two plain single overhand knots, each tied around the other rope's standing part, pulled together until they jam face to face.
That single wrap is genuinely less secure than the doubled version, particularly on slick or stiff modern cordage where extra friction from a second wrap makes a real difference - which is exactly why the double fisherman's knot, not this simpler ancestor, is the one taught and trusted for climbing cord and any genuinely load-bearing join today.
Where the plain fisherman's knot still earns its keep is in lighter-duty work - joining twine, light cord, or fishing line where speed and simplicity matter more than the extra margin a doubled wrap provides, and where the consequences of an occasional slip are minor rather than dangerous. Its old "true lover's knot" name, incidentally, comes from exactly the same interlocking property that makes it useful: pull the two ropes apart and the knots simply draw tighter together rather than coming apart, a symbolic image of two things bound that has made it a popular decorative knot for rings and keepsakes independent of any practical rope-joining use.
Jewelry makers working the fisherman's knot in cord or fine chain for a bracelet or necklace clasp value it for a genuinely practical reason beyond the symbolism: a sliding version, where the two overhand knots aren't pulled fully tight against each other, creates an adjustable closure that can be cinched to different sizes - a feature the fully-tightened rope-joining version doesn't share, since that version is meant to jam permanently rather than slide.
The "English knot" name reflects one documented regional naming tradition among several the knot has accumulated over a long, widespread history in cordage and angling use, rather than any claim about where the knot itself actually originated - like many simple, ancient knots, its true point of origin predates any single traceable record.
How to tie the Fisherman's Knot
Lay the two rope ends alongside each other, overlapping, pointing in opposite directions.
Strength & security
Approx. strength retained: 55-65%
The single-overhand version of the double fisherman's knot's core structure - two overhand knots tied around each other's standing parts and pulled together to jam - simpler and faster to tie, at the cost of the extra security a second wrap provides.
Cautions: For anything approaching a load-bearing or life-safety join, use the double fisherman's knot instead; a single overhand knot per side doesn't grip as reliably as the doubled version, especially on slicker modern cordage.
Alternatives
- Double Fisherman's Knot
Meaningfully more secure for any load-bearing use - the plain fisherman's knot is best reserved for light cordage or twine where speed matters more than maximum security.
FAQ
Is the fisherman's knot the same as the double fisherman's knot?
No - it's the simpler, single-wrap ancestor. The double fisherman's knot uses double overhand knots on each side for meaningfully more security and is the standard for load-bearing joins today.
Why is it sometimes called the true lover's knot?
Pulling the two ropes apart draws the two interlocking overhand knots tighter together rather than apart - a symbolic image that made it popular decoratively, independent of its practical rope-joining use.
Is the plain fisherman's knot strong enough for climbing?
No - use the double fisherman's knot instead for any load-bearing or safety-critical join; the single-wrap version is best suited to lighter cordage, twine, or fishing line.
Can the fisherman's knot be tied as an adjustable sliding closure?
Yes - jewelry makers often leave the two overhand knots loosely dressed rather than pulled fully tight, creating a sliding adjustable clasp for a bracelet or necklace, distinct from the fully-cinched, permanently jammed version used for rope joining.
Does the fisherman's knot work well in fishing line despite its name?
It works, but most anglers today prefer purpose-built line-joining knots like the double uni knot or blood knot, which are specifically tuned for monofilament and fluorocarbon's particular stiffness and slipperiness rather than adapted from a general-purpose rope knot.