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 · 54 of 84 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.
Heavy leader folded into a U; thin line wraps the doubled leader and tucks through the bight.
- 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. - 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. 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. - 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. Terminal — hardware eye · Constriction · Wrap stackDavy KnotThe eye is hardware. The knot is an open tangle around that eye. Ends stay ends. Terminal — hardware eye · Constriction · Wrap stackDouble Davy KnotThe eye is hardware. The knot is an open tangle around that eye. Ends stay ends. 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. 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. 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. 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. Terminal — hardware eye · Constriction · Wrap stackEye Crosser KnotThe eye is hardware. The knot is an open tangle around that eye. Ends stay ends. - 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.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. 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. Terminal — hardware eye · Constriction · Wrap stackImproved Clinch KnotThe eye is hardware. The knot is an open tangle around that eye. Ends stay ends. Terminal — hardware eye · Constriction · Wrap stackJack’s KnotThe eye is hardware. The knot is an open tangle around that eye. Ends stay ends. Terminal — hardware eye · Constriction · Wrap stackJansik SpecialThe eye is hardware. The knot is an open tangle around that eye. Ends stay ends. 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. 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. 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. 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. Terminal — hardware eye · Doubled line · Constriction · Wrap stackNanoFil KnotThe eye is hardware. The knot is an open tangle around that eye. Ends stay ends. 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. 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. Terminal — hardware eye · Constriction · Wrap stackOrvis KnotThe eye is hardware. The knot is an open tangle around that eye. Ends stay ends. 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. Terminal — hardware eye · Doubled line · Constriction · Wrap stackPalomar KnotThe eye is hardware. The knot is an open tangle around that eye. Ends stay ends. 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. Terminal — hardware eye · Constriction · Wrap stackPitzen KnotThe eye is hardware. The knot is an open tangle around that eye. Ends stay ends. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Terminal — hardware eye · Constriction · Wrap stackUni KnotThe eye is hardware. The knot is an open tangle around that eye. Ends stay ends. 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. 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. Terminal — hardware eye · Constriction · Wrap stackWorld Fair KnotThe eye is hardware. The knot is an open tangle around that eye. Ends stay ends. - 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