Know your knots (5) - The Reef Knot

25 Aug 2016

The Reef Knot is an ancient knot that goes back at least 10,000 years. It is a binding knot, to secure a line around an object. 

It’s not generally used for joining two separate lines together, as it’s not stable enough under strain. The Reef Knot was most commonly used to ‘reef’ sails, that is to reduce the surface area of a sail by tying a part of it down. Join us in tying the Reef Knot with our six step guide!

Step 1: Lay out your length of rope...

Step 2: Pass the working end over the standing end to create a loop, right over left...

Step 3: Wrap the working end once around the standing end...

Step 4: Bring the working end over the standing end, left over right...

Step 5: Tuck the working end under the standing end...

Step 6: Pull together, leaving the bottom loop and there you have it!

Stay tuned for the last blog in our knot-tying series next week, when we’ll learn how to tie a Stevedore.