Camping 101: Stopper Knots to the Rescue

On those occasions where it's critical that the end of a rope doesn't slip back through an opening or knot, the application of a stopper knot can be invaluable!

Basically this knot limits the movement of a line in a particular direction by forming an obstruction in the line that won't let it pass through a loop, or will enable it to catch at a particular point along the line (think of a small split-shot weight attached to a fishing line when used to limit the slippage of a larger sinker along the line).

Stopper knots are simple to tie and are sometimes used to close off the end of the rope/line to keep it from slipping back through another tied knot. Kayakers in particular know about stopper knots as they are usually tied onto an end of a bungee cord to anchor the starting point of a line in a network/pattern across the deck. Stretching the bungee beyond the loop, tying a stopper knot and then letting go snugs the line securely to the clip quickly and effectively.

The most basic of knots, the overhand, makes a good stopper knot for short term, low-tension needs. A stronger version of the overhand, where a second passing through the overhand bend is made before closing the knot, is even stronger and provides a bigger, more solid stopper.

The Figure-8 is a common stopper knot tied to the end of loose lines, in part at least by my practice, to keep the end of the line from fraying. The effectiveness of either knot is naturally limited by the size of the line relative to the width of the opening against which it is tied. In a camping situation some line lock toggles on tent guy lines use a stopper knot as part of the rigging on the toggle.

If your rigging includes a clam cleat of any sort, you can sometimes use a stopper knot at a specific line segment length to regulate the amount of line movement, or catching, at any point along the line.

They can also be used to create a slight gap in a line tied taut across a surface. It creates a gap between the line and that surface so you can get a finger or tool edge to hold the stopper knot, forming enough of a bump in the line to create a slit-like opening under the line.

Stoppers are a simple, but useful knot to add to your list of line applications in the field.