The thief knot is an interesting knot with a great history. The thief knot resembles the square knot except that the free ends are on opposite sides.
In this video we see how to tie the Thief Knot which is a type of binding knot and can also be used to tie two ropes together. In knot tying terminology, we call this type of knot a bend.
The thief knot is also known as the bag knot or bread bag knot.
The Ashley Book of Knots mentions that There is a legend that sailors tie clothesbags, and bread bags with this knot and that thieves always retie them with square knots and so are inevitably detected.
Learn knots with our other knot tutorial videos found here.
Like the square knot, the thief knot is an unreliable knot and shouldn’t be trusted for safety or security, there are many other reliable ways to join to ropes together demonstrated in 24 Great Bend Knots video.
Thief Knot Tying Instructions
- Make a bight in the end of one rope.
- Insert the other end through it, then wrap it around to enclose both sides of the initial bight.
- From there, tuck the working end back beside its own standing part.
- Then finish by cinching it up tight.