Talk:Handcuff knot

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[edit] Incorrectness of diagram

Have I got the last half-hitch the right way around? It looks like one of those reef knot / granny knot distinctions from the picture, but I can't tell whether it matters for this knot. Ojw 20:44, 8 December 2005 (UTC)

The way you have it is sort of granny knot-like. The ABOK entry for #1140 shows the knot being finished with half hitches around the loops (exactly like a Fireman's chair knot), rather than a reef/granny type finish. Using half hitches does "lock" the knot more effectively than the overhand method currently shown. I just tried the overhand method and it worked better than I anticipated; the reef knot-style seemed to be more stable. Do you have a reference showing the Handcuff knot finished that way?

But, in any case, there is a more serious problem with Image:Handcuff_knot.png: following the method shown in the first panel produces the similar, but inferior for the purpose, Tom fool's knot rather than the Handcuff knot. The righthand loop needs to be positioned behind the lefthand loop, in the manner of a clove hitch. Actually, in order to arrive at the knot in the second panel, the loops have to be made in the other direction (overhand or underhand, depending on which side one considers the standing part) and then crossed-over in the manner of a clove hitch before the loops are pulled through one another. The same is true for the diagram at Image:Firemans chair knot.png. --Dfred 02:40, 27 November 2006 (UTC)

NOTE: I replaced the problematic diagrams with images of the basic knot and two variations of how to lock or finish it. Once the tying diagram is is corrected it should be added back into the article. --Dfred 00:57, 1 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Bow tie knot

I presume this is the same as the "bow tie knot"? That knot is formed by making two loops in the rope, overlaying them, and pulling each loop's end through the other loop. It is a very easy way to tie someone's hands, locked in place with an overhand knot, and is very easy to undo. JIP | Talk 03:55, 20 April 2008 (UTC)

No. If by "bow tie knot" you mean Tom fool's knot then it's different. The lower portion of the knots differ. Acording to the ABoK the "Handcuff knot" is superior. Even though, having tried them both I fail to see why. --Netizen (talk) 19:54, 20 April 2008 (UTC)

Oh, thanks. I have tried the "bow tie knot", as described above, on another person's hands once, and it turned out that by itself it does not work, but if you finish it off with at least one overhand knot, it works really well, and is easy to undo. I will have to practice with this "handcuff knot" also. JIP | Talk 20:02, 20 April 2008 (UTC)