Overhand Knot

The Overhand Knot is intentionally first because it shows up everywhere else. The Water Knot, EDK, and Double-Fisherman concepts all make more sense once the basic overhand feels automatic.

By itself, this is mostly a foundational or stopper knot in this book – not a knot I teach as a stand-alone load-bearing rappel knot.

PROS

• Very easy to learn and tie.

• Forms the basis for several other knots in this section.

• Can be used as a simple stopper knot in selected situations.

CONS

• Not taught here as a stand-alone load-bearing rappel knot.

CAUTION: Do not treat a simple Overhand Knot as a replacement for the load-bearing knots and systems taught elsewhere in the book.

CANYONEERING USAGE

• Build the foundation for other knots and bends in this section, including the Water Knot and offset overhand bend.
• Use as a stopper at a rope end when the rappel system and situation call for a stopper knot.
• Back up or secure a rope tail in selected systems when the specific rigging method calls for it.
• Practice loop, bight, working-end, and standing-part orientation before moving to more complex knots.

ADDITIONAL READING

• CanyoneeringUSA – Simple Canyoneering Knots: The Overhand and Figure Eight Knots
• CMC Pro – Learn Your Knots: Overhand Knot
• Petzl – Knots (Flat Overhand Bend and related knot families)
• The Mountaineers – Standard Techniques
• American Canyoneering Academy – Need-To-Know Canyon Knots
• Animated Knots – Overhand Knot

Lay the rope flat and identify the working end. Leave enough rope in front of you to form and dress the knot cleanly.

Cross the working end over the standing part to create one open loop. Keep the loop loose and easy to see.

OVERHAND KNOT

Pass the working end through the open loop in the direction shown. This completes the basic Overhand Knot shape.

Pull the working end and standing part in opposite directions. Dress the knot compactly and leave an adequate tail.

CAUTION
If this knot is being used as a stopper, do not leave a tiny tail. Remember that a heavily loaded Overhand Knot may be difficult to untie.

KNOT GUIDE