How to Tie the Stevedore Stopper Knot

How to Tie the Stevedore Stopper Knot

Usage

The Stevedore Stopper Knot excels in situations requiring a secure and bulky knot at the end of a rope. Its design prevents ropes from unreeving through openings, making it indispensable for boating, camping, and outdoor tasks. Whether securing a tarp, mooring a boat, or preparing for outdoor projects, this knot combines reliability with ease of tying and untying, even after heavy loads. If you'd rather watch the wraps form in 3D before tying it yourself, the Knot IQ app walks through the Stevedore Stopper Knot step by step.

Why Learn the Stevedore Stopper Knot?

Learning the Stevedore Stopper Knot equips you with a dependable stopper that is secure yet easy to untie. Whether you’re securing a tarp, mooring a boat, or preparing for outdoor adventures, this knot’s versatility and reliability make it an essential skill.

Common Uses

• Boating and Marine Applications:
  • Preventing ropes from slipping through block-and-tackle systems.
  • Securing lines for mooring or docking.
• Camping: Setting up tarps by securing grommets with bulky stopper knots.
• Scouting and Outdoor Projects: Adding bulk to rope ends for secure anchoring or utility tasks.

ABOK Number (Ashley Book of Knots) #522 (#456 is Ashley’s occupational naming entry) Other Names Double Figure Eight Type Stopper Knot

Working through the whole stopper family side by side is the quickest way to feel the difference between them — the Knot Tying Kit includes the practice cord and the reference cards for exactly that.

Notable Features

• Secure and Bulky: Prevents ropes from slipping through narrow openings.
• Non-Jamming: Easy to untie, even after heavy loads.
• Customizable Size: Adds weight and bulk to the rope’s end.

Variations

The Stevedore sits in a sequence of single-strand stoppers that each add one more half turn before the end is tucked: Overhand, Figure 8, the intermediate form, then the Stevedore. Animated Knots by Grog sets out that same four-step progression and notes the Stevedore shares its structure with the Halyard Hitch, the difference being that the Halyard Hitch is tied around a shackle rather than standing free at the rope’s end. Adding a further turn past the Stevedore keeps building bulk but gains little security, so this is the practical end of the sequence.

Similar Knots

Overhand Stopper Knot vs. Stevedore Stopper Knot

Compared with the Overhand Stopper Knot:

• Pros: Simpler and quicker to tie.
• Cons: Less bulky and secure.

Figure 8 Stopper Knot vs. Stevedore Stopper Knot

Compared with the Figure 8 Stopper Knot:

• Pros: Easier to tie and commonly used.
• Cons: Less secure and more prone to slipping.

Double Overhand Stopper Knot vs. Stevedore Stopper Knot

Compared with the double overhand version:

• Pros: More secure under cyclical loads.
• Cons: Slightly harder to untie after heavy loads.

History

The Stevedore Stopper Knot originated in maritime operations, where stevedores (dock workers) used it to prevent ropes from unreeving through large cargo blocks. Its structure is an evolution of the Figure 8 Knot, featuring an additional wrap for increased bulk and security. Ashley gives the full tying description at ABOK #522 (p.85), where he notes the knot “prevents the end of a cargo fall from unreeving” because a cargo block’s larger sheaves need a bulkier stopper; his earlier #456 (p.74) is the short occupational entry that introduces the name. Cyrus Day disputes the dockside origin altogether, arguing in The Art of Knotting and Splicing that the name came from a pamphlet issued about 1890 by the C.W. Hunt Company, which sold rope under the brand “Stevedore” — an account summarised on Wikipedia’s Stevedore knot page.

Security Level

The Stevedore Stopper Knot is highly secure and resists slipping even under heavy loads. It is less prone to jamming than the Figure 8 Knot and can be untied with relative ease. However, it may loosen under cyclical loads, so proper inspection is necessary for critical applications.

Downsides

• Can Loosen: Under repeated cyclic loading.
• Bulkier: Than simpler stopper knots, which may limit its use in tight spaces.

Structure

1. Form a bight near the rope’s end.
2. Pass the working end around the standing line, making a complete turn.
3. Add an additional turn around the standing line, ensuring both turns are neat and parallel.
4. Pass the working end through the bight and tighten by pulling both ends.

Pro Tip: Always leave a sufficient tail to account for potential slippage under load. Practising the wraps in a thicker line first makes each turn easier to see before you tie it in thinner cord.

FAQ

What is the Stevedore Stopper Knot used for?

It prevents ropes from slipping through openings or hardware, making it ideal for maritime and utility tasks.

Is the Stevedore Stopper Knot easy to untie?

Yes, it is designed to be non-jamming and easy to untie, even after heavy loads.

How does it compare to the Figure 8 Stopper Knot?

The Stevedore Stopper Knot is bulkier and more secure than the Figure 8 Stopper Knot.

Can it be used with synthetic ropes?

Yes, it works well with synthetic ropes, but always inspect for slippage under dynamic conditions.

Important Notes on Safety

Compared to the ashley stopper knot, the Stevedore Stopper Knot is a robust and reliable option for most applications, but it should be inspected regularly when used under cyclic or dynamic loads. Always ensure it is properly tied and tightened for optimal performance.