| Joins | Two rope/cord ends |
| Best for | Prusik loops, cordelettes |
| Trait | Very secure, hard to untie |
| Difficulty | Intermediate |
The double fisherman’s knot, or grapevine, joins two rope or cord ends by tying two interlocking double overhand knots. It’s compact, very secure, and hard to untie after loading, which makes it the standard for tying prusik loops and cordelettes and a reliable — if stubborn — way to join rappel ropes.
What it’s for
Making permanent loops — prusik loops and cordelettes — and joining ropes to rappel.
Secure but stubborn
It welds shut under load, perfect for tied-and-forgotten loops, less so for joins you’ll undo — there the flat overhand is preferred.
Slippery cord
Use a triple fisherman’s on Dyneema. See all climbing knots.
Frequently asked questions
What is a double fisherman's knot used for?
It permanently joins two cord ends into a loop — the standard way to make prusik loops and cordelettes — and can join two ropes for rappelling. Because it's so secure, it's favoured where the join is left tied and rarely undone.
Is the double fisherman's knot hard to untie?
Yes, especially after heavy loading, which is both a strength and a drawback. It's ideal for permanent loops you won't untie, but for joining rappel ropes many climbers prefer the flat overhand bend, which is easier to untie and slides over edges.
What's the difference between a double and triple fisherman's?
A triple fisherman's adds an extra wrap in each knot, giving more security and bulk. It's recommended for slippery, high-tech cords like Dyneema, where the standard double fisherman's can slip.
Sources
- Joining ropes and cord — American Alpine Club