fisherman's knot
{{Short description|Type of knot}}
{{distinguish|fisherman's bend}}
{{refimprove|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox knot
| image=Spierenstich.jpg
| name=Fisherman's knot
| names=Waterman's knot, Angler's knot, Englishman's knot
| type=bend
| origin=Ancient
| related=Overhand knot, Double fisherman's knot, Triple fisherman's knot
| releasing=Jamming
| strength=
| caveat=Difficult or impossible to untie{{cnl|date=February 2025}}
| uses=Joining thin, stiff, or slippery lines
| abok_number=#293, #1414
}}
The fisherman's knot is a bend (a knot for joining two lines) with a symmetrical structure. The fisherman's knot is also known as: angler's knot, English knot, halibut knot, waterman's knot, and true lover's knot.
Properties
The bend consists of two overhand knots, each tied around the standing part of the other. It is compact, jams when tightened, and the working ends can be cropped very close to the knot. It can easily be tied with cold, wet hands.
Image:Spierenstich-1.jpg|1. First overhand
Image:Spierenstich-2.jpg|2. Second overhand
Image:Spierenstich-3.jpg|3. Tighten
Uses
These properties are well suited to fishing, so the fisherman's knot is often used with fishing line. However it can slip when using modern nylon monofilament line, which is more slippery than historic fishing materials.[http://www.marinews.com/knots/fishing-knots/ Marinews Fishing Knots] If more holding strength is required, the overhand knots can be made with more turns, as in the double fisherman's knot, and triple fisherman's knot. Other knots sometimes provide superior performance with nylon lines, such as the blood knot.{{cn|date=February 2025}}
In knitting, this knot is used to join two strands of yarn. In this context, it is commonly known as "the magic knot".[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aj_-V5XVPcs Learn the Magic Knot Join]