How to tie the Stopper Knot. A stopper knot is tied at the end of a rope to prevent the end from unraveling, slipping through another knot, or passing back through a hole, block or a device. This version, the Ashley Stopper knot, also known as the Oysterman's stopper, is a knot developed by Clifford Ashley around 1910. It makes a well-balanced trefoil-faced stopper at the end of the rope, giving greater resistance to pulling through an opening than other common stoppers. Essentially, the knot is a common Overhand noose, but with the end of the rope passing through the noose eye, which closes upon it. Also see the Double Overhand Stopper Knot.
Scroll to see Animated Stopper Knot below the illustration and tying instructions.
Stopper Knot Tying Instructions
- Form a small loop at the end of a line by running tag end over standing line.
- Tie an overhand knot around standing line.
- Pull overhand knot tight and feed tag end through noose (loop) end.
- Pull tag end all the way through and slide knot down tight.
- Pull both ends tight.