Strangle Knot
binding knot
Binding a coil of rope, a bundle of sticks, or the neck of a sack needs a knot that won't slowly work loose the way a simple overhand or half hitch might, especially if the bundle shifts or the cord isn't kept under constant tension. The strangle knot, a close cousin of the better-known constrictor knot, achieves that same self-jamming security through a similar crossed-turn-and-tuck construction, biting down tighter the harder it's pulled and staying put once tension is released.
Its construction crosses two turns around the bundle before tucking the working end through twice, on opposite sides of the crossing - a pattern that locks the turns against each other under load in much the same way the constrictor knot does, which is why the two are frequently discussed together and sometimes used almost interchangeably in binding applications.
That jamming security comes with the same real tradeoff the constrictor knot carries: once it's been pulled tight and set, it typically has to be cut away rather than patiently untied, since the whole point of the design is resisting exactly the kind of loosening that would make untying possible. It's a knot for a binding meant to stay bound, not one meant to be reused.
Where it's chosen over the constrictor knot at all seems to be mostly a matter of regional or traditional naming and habit rather than any decisive functional difference - both knots solve the identical problem of a bundle or coil that needs to stay tightly and permanently bound.
Sailmakers and riggers historically used the strangle knot to whip and bind the ends of rope or seize small stuff (light line) together during rigging work, valuing exactly the same self-jamming quality that makes it useful for a modern bundle of firewood or a coiled extension cord - a binding that holds itself in place without needing a separate finishing knot or continuous hand pressure while other work is done.
Because the knot's own tension does the work of holding it shut, it's also a reasonably good choice for temporarily bundling items that will be transported or stored for a while before being opened again, since there's no risk of the binding gradually loosening in transit the way a simple wrap-and-tuck might, right up until someone deliberately cuts it free.
How to tie the Strangle Knot
Wrap the cord around the bundle twice, crossing the second turn over the first.
Strength & security
A close relative of the constrictor knot, the strangle knot jams tight around whatever it's tied to and resists slipping or loosening even without continued tension - genuinely useful for binding a bundle, bag neck, or coil where a simple overhand or clove hitch might work loose.
Cautions: Like the constrictor knot, it jams hard enough that it's typically cut free rather than untied when the binding is no longer needed - don't use it anywhere the cord needs to be reused or untied intact.
Alternatives
- Constrictor Knot
Extremely similar in function and jamming behavior - the two are closely related binding knots, and many knot references treat them as near-interchangeable variants.
FAQ
How is the strangle knot different from the constrictor knot?
They're extremely similar in both construction and jamming behavior - close enough that many knot references treat them as near-interchangeable variants for binding a bundle or coil securely.
Can I untie a strangle knot after it's been pulled tight?
It's difficult by design, since jamming security is the entire point - most people cut it away rather than untie it once the binding is no longer needed.
What is the strangle knot typically used for?
Binding a coil of rope, a bundle of sticks or similar material, or the neck of a sack - anywhere a binding needs to stay tight without ongoing tension holding it in place.
Did sailors historically use the strangle knot?
Yes - it saw traditional use whipping rope ends and seizing small stuff together during rigging work, valued for the same self-jamming quality that makes it useful for binding a modern bundle without needing continuous hand pressure or a separate finishing knot.
Does the strangle knot work equally well on stiff and soft cord?
It grips more reliably on cord with some flexibility to bite into itself under tension; genuinely stiff wire or rigid cord doesn't compress and jam the same way softer rope or twine does, so a more flexible cordage is generally the better match for this knot.