Leader folded into a bight; braid wraps up the doubled section and back down over itself.
Applications
Where the theory applies
What the physics actually says about these knots — and what it must never pick for you. Nothing here changes what Decide recommends.
Fishing · 61 of 91 knots · 7 essays
Where each connection earns its keep — reference, never a recommendation.
This page does not pick a knot for you. DNA, molecules, quantum braids and vortices stay off Decide.
World atlas
- Physical rope · does not pick a knotPhysical hitch theoryThe only mathematical theory that actually talks about dock line on a spar.
- Physical rope · does not pick a knotSurgical throws — square vs grannyThe one life-science paper that is actually about a knot we already cover.
- Life science · does not pick a knotDNA topologyThe strongest scientific use of closed-curve knot theory — and it is not rope.
- Life science · does not pick a knotSynthetic molecular knotsClosed molecules built as trefoils and more complex knots. Ends are fused.
- Material / culture · does not pick a knotNets and textilesThe sheet bend is the mesh knot cultures keep rediscovering.
- Not rope · does not pick a knotBraids and topological quantum computingSame branch of mathematics. Zero input to a terminal-eye job.
- Not rope · does not pick a knotKnotted vorticesKnots in a fluid, from Kelvin’s old idea to laboratory vortex rings.
The knots
- Bend — two lines · Wrap stack · ConstrictionAlberto KnotA bend captures two working ends. Holding is constriction and the seated wrap or barrel — not a closed-knot invariant.
- Bend — two lines · Wrap stack · ConstrictionAlbright SpecialA bend captures two working ends. Holding is constriction and the seated wrap or barrel — not a closed-knot invariant.Diagram in review
- Arbor hitch · Friction on hardware · JamArbor KnotAn arbor knot is a hitch plus a stopper against the spool. The spool is the object.
Line around the reel arbor; a sliding overhand to the spool and a stopper in the tag.
- Bend — two lines · Wrap stack · ConstrictionAussie QuickieA bend captures two working ends. Holding is constriction and the seated wrap or barrel — not a closed-knot invariant.Diagram in review
- Double-line · Doubled line · JamAustralian PlaitA double-line is a made pair: twist, hitch or plait, then an end lock. The lock is the knot; the pair is the product.Diagram in review
- Terminal — hardware eye · Constriction · Wrap stackBaja KnotThe eye is hardware. The knot is an open tangle around that eye. Ends stay ends.Diagram in review
- Terminal — hardware eye · Doubled line · Constriction · Wrap stackBerkley Braid KnotThe eye is hardware. The knot is an open tangle around that eye. Ends stay ends.Diagram in review
- Double-line · Doubled line · JamBimini TwistA double-line is a made pair: twist, hitch or plait, then an end lock. The lock is the knot; the pair is the product.
A long doubled section twisted or plaited into a column and locked at the far end.
- Bend — two lines · Wrap stack · ConstrictionBlood KnotA bend captures two working ends. Holding is constriction and the seated wrap or barrel — not a closed-knot invariant.
- Hitch — object-dependent · Friction on hardwareBobber Stop KnotA hitch is object-dependent. Remove the spar, cleat, ring or pile and the structure is usually the unknot.
- Bend — two lines · Wrap stack · ConstrictionBristol KnotA bend captures two working ends. Holding is constriction and the seated wrap or barrel — not a closed-knot invariant.Diagram in review
- Loop — fixed · InterlockCat's PawA fixed loop is a standing eye. The collar or figure-eight body must survive a straight pull without becoming a noose.
Two finished loops interlocked as a handshake — neither loop cinched around the other.
- Terminal — hardware eye · Constriction · Wrap stackCentauri KnotThe eye is hardware. The knot is an open tangle around that eye. Ends stay ends.Diagram in review
- Terminal — hardware eye · Constriction · Wrap stackClinch KnotThe eye is hardware. The knot is an open tangle around that eye. Ends stay ends.Diagram in review
- Terminal — hardware eye · Constriction · Wrap stackDavy KnotThe eye is hardware. The knot is an open tangle around that eye. Ends stay ends.Diagram in review
- Terminal — hardware eye · Constriction · Wrap stackDouble Davy KnotThe eye is hardware. The knot is an open tangle around that eye. Ends stay ends.Diagram in review
- Bend — two lines · Wrap stack · ConstrictionDouble Double Uni KnotA bend captures two working ends. Holding is constriction and the seated wrap or barrel — not a closed-knot invariant.Diagram in review
- Bend — two lines · Wrap stack · ConstrictionDouble Uni KnotA bend captures two working ends. Holding is constriction and the seated wrap or barrel — not a closed-knot invariant.
Two lines opposite ways; a barrel on each; barrels drawn together until they butt.
- Loop — fixed · InterlockDropper LoopA fixed loop is a standing eye. The collar or figure-eight body must survive a straight pull without becoming a noose.
Twists either side of a mid-line opening; the loop stands perpendicular to the main line.
- Terminal — shank snell · Wrap stack · ConstrictionEasy Snell KnotA snell is a shank column. On-axis pull is the job. The hook is the object the wraps bear on.Diagram in review
- Terminal — shank snell · Wrap stack · ConstrictionEgg Loop KnotA snell is a shank column. On-axis pull is the job. The hook is the object the wraps bear on.Diagram in review
- Terminal — hardware eye · Constriction · Wrap stackEye Crosser KnotThe eye is hardware. The knot is an open tangle around that eye. Ends stay ends.Diagram in review
- Bend — two lines · Wrap stack · ConstrictionFG KnotA bend captures two working ends. Holding is constriction and the seated wrap or barrel — not a closed-knot invariant.
Heavy leader straight; thin braid plaited over it as a sleeve; locking hitches at the end.
- Terminal — hardware eye · Constriction · Wrap stackFish N Fool KnotThe eye is hardware. The knot is an open tangle around that eye. Ends stay ends.Diagram in review
- Bend — two lines · Wrap stack · ConstrictionGT KnotA bend captures two working ends. Holding is constriction and the seated wrap or barrel — not a closed-knot invariant.Diagram in review
- Hitch — object-dependent · Friction on hardwareHarvey Dry Fly KnotA hitch is object-dependent. Remove the spar, cleat, ring or pile and the structure is usually the unknot.Diagram in review
- Terminal — hardware eye · Constriction · Wrap stackHaywire TwistThe eye is hardware. The knot is an open tangle around that eye. Ends stay ends.Diagram in review
- Loop — non-slip · InterlockHomer Rhode Loop KnotA non-slip lure loop must stay open under a straight pull. Collapse means the return path failed — it is a noose, not a tight loop.Diagram in review
- Terminal — hardware eye · Constriction · Wrap stackImproved Clinch KnotThe eye is hardware. The knot is an open tangle around that eye. Ends stay ends.
Standing line to a hook eye, wraps back along the standing part, tag tucked through the first wrap.
- Bend — two lines · Wrap stack · ConstrictionJ KnotA bend captures two working ends. Holding is constriction and the seated wrap or barrel — not a closed-knot invariant.Diagram in review
- Terminal — hardware eye · Constriction · Wrap stackJack’s KnotThe eye is hardware. The knot is an open tangle around that eye. Ends stay ends.Diagram in review
- Terminal — hardware eye · Constriction · Wrap stackJansik SpecialThe eye is hardware. The knot is an open tangle around that eye. Ends stay ends.Diagram in review
- Loop — fixed · InterlockKing SlingA fixed loop is a standing eye. The collar or figure-eight body must survive a straight pull without becoming a noose.Diagram in review
- Terminal — shank snell · Wrap stack · ConstrictionKnotless KnotA snell is a shank column. On-axis pull is the job. The hook is the object the wraps bear on.Diagram in review
- Loop — non-slip · InterlockKryston Non-Slip LoopA non-slip lure loop must stay open under a straight pull. Collapse means the return path failed — it is a noose, not a tight loop.Diagram in review
- Loop — fixed · InterlockLoop-to-Loop ConnectionA fixed loop is a standing eye. The collar or figure-eight body must survive a straight pull without becoming a noose.Diagram in review
- Coil on a coating · Coil on coatingNail KnotNail and needle knots live on a fly-line coating (and, for the needle, a pierced core). The coil is the join.
Thick fly line meets a thinner leader; even wraps transfer onto the fly-line tip.
- Terminal — hardware eye · Doubled line · Constriction · Wrap stackNanoFil KnotThe eye is hardware. The knot is an open tangle around that eye. Ends stay ends.Diagram in review
- Coil on a coating · Coil on coatingNeedle KnotNail and needle knots live on a fly-line coating (and, for the needle, a pierced core). The coil is the join.Diagram in review
- Loop — non-slip · InterlockNon-Slip Mono LoopA non-slip lure loop must stay open under a straight pull. Collapse means the return path failed — it is a noose, not a tight loop.
Overhand in the standing line, tag through hardware and back, wraps, leaving a loop that cannot close.
- Terminal — hardware eye · Constriction · Wrap stackOrvis KnotThe eye is hardware. The knot is an open tangle around that eye. Ends stay ends.Diagram in review
- Bend — two lines · Wrap stack · ConstrictionOrvis Tippet KnotA bend captures two working ends. Holding is constriction and the seated wrap or barrel — not a closed-knot invariant.Diagram in review
- Terminal — hardware eye · Doubled line · Constriction · Wrap stackPalomar KnotThe eye is hardware. The knot is an open tangle around that eye. Ends stay ends.
Doubled bight through the eye, overhand in the doubled line, loop passed over the hook, seated to the eye.
- Loop — fixed · InterlockPerfection LoopA fixed loop is a standing eye. The collar or figure-eight body must survive a straight pull without becoming a noose.
A standing loop locked above so the loop stays open under load.
- Terminal — hardware eye · Constriction · Wrap stackPitzen KnotThe eye is hardware. The knot is an open tangle around that eye. Ends stay ends.Diagram in review
- Bend — two lines · Wrap stack · ConstrictionPR Bobbin KnotA bend captures two working ends. Holding is constriction and the seated wrap or barrel — not a closed-knot invariant.Diagram in review
- Loop — non-slip · InterlockRapala KnotA non-slip lure loop must stay open under a straight pull. Collapse means the return path failed — it is a noose, not a tight loop.Diagram in review
- Terminal — hardware eye · Constriction · Wrap stackSan Diego JamThe eye is hardware. The knot is an open tangle around that eye. Ends stay ends.
- Bend — two lines · Wrap stack · ConstrictionSeaguar KnotA bend captures two working ends. Holding is constriction and the seated wrap or barrel — not a closed-knot invariant.Diagram in review
- Bend — two lines · Wrap stack · ConstrictionSlim Beauty KnotA bend captures two working ends. Holding is constriction and the seated wrap or barrel — not a closed-knot invariant.Diagram in review
- Terminal — shank snell · Wrap stack · ConstrictionSnell KnotA snell is a shank column. On-axis pull is the job. The hook is the object the wraps bear on.
Two parallel strands along the hook shank; wraps over both; tag finishes at the eye.
- Double-line · Doubled line · JamSpider HitchA double-line is a made pair: twist, hitch or plait, then an end lock. The lock is the knot; the pair is the product.Diagram in review
- Bend — two lines · Wrap stack · ConstrictionSurgeon’s KnotA bend captures two working ends. Holding is constriction and the seated wrap or barrel — not a closed-knot invariant.
- Loop — fixed · InterlockSurgeon’s LoopA fixed loop is a standing eye. The collar or figure-eight body must survive a straight pull without becoming a noose.Diagram in review
- Terminal — hardware eye · Constriction · Wrap stackTrilene KnotThe eye is hardware. The knot is an open tangle around that eye. Ends stay ends.
- Terminal — hardware eye · Constriction · Wrap stackTurle KnotThe eye is hardware. The knot is an open tangle around that eye. Ends stay ends.Diagram in review
- Terminal — hardware eye · Constriction · Wrap stackUni KnotThe eye is hardware. The knot is an open tangle around that eye. Ends stay ends.
Line through the eye, doubled back into a loop; tag wraps inside that loop; barrel slides to the eye.
- Terminal — shank snell · Wrap stack · ConstrictionUni Snell KnotA snell is a shank column. On-axis pull is the job. The hook is the object the wraps bear on.Diagram in review
- Bend — two lines · Wrap stack · ConstrictionWillis KnotA bend captures two working ends. Holding is constriction and the seated wrap or barrel — not a closed-knot invariant.Diagram in review
- Terminal — hardware eye · Constriction · Wrap stackWorld Fair KnotThe eye is hardware. The knot is an open tangle around that eye. Ends stay ends.Diagram in review
- Bend — two lines · Wrap stack · ConstrictionYucatan KnotA bend captures two working ends. Holding is constriction and the seated wrap or barrel — not a closed-knot invariant.Diagram in review