Ashley Stopper Knot

Ashley stopper knot is a bulky and secure stopper knot that prevents the rope from passing through openings.

Structurally it is a basic Overhand Noose, but with the working end passing through the Noose eye. 

When you tighten it up, it forms a tidy, triangular shape where the standing part enters the knot.

The knot is named after Clifford Ashley, an American knot expert and author who spotted it around 1910 on a local oyster fishing boat.

How to Tie Ashley Stopper Knot

1. Take a rope and make a bight.
2. Fold it into two loops—one small, one large.
3. Pass the large loop through the small loop. It will form an Overhand Noose.
4. Feed the working end through the loop. Make sure the working end follows the natural path and not the other way around.
5. Tighten the overhand portion around the standing part. 
6. Pull the standing part to close the noose on the working part.
7. Remove any slack by pulling the working end.

You have tied this right if you notice a symmetrical three lobed shape at the end of the rope when viewed from the underside.

To untie, just push the working end back through the Noose eye. Then, pull down the Standing end to undo the Overhand Noose.

Common Mistake to Avoid

This is an easy-to-tie knot, but many people make mistakes with this knot. The key to tie a perfect Ashley Knot is to tighten it in the right order.

After passing the working end through the Noose eye, tighten the overhand part of the knot first. Next, pull the standing end of the rope. Finally, give the working end a good tug to remove any slack.

Similar Knots

Figure 8 Knot

It is smaller in profile than Ashley’s stopper. It is commonly used in boating, but has a tendency to shake loose.

Double Overhand Knot

It is mostly common among the climbers as a backup knot after tying the Figure 8 follow through loop.

Stevedore Stopper

It is a medium sized stopper that is just as secure as Ashley stopper knot and Double overhand knot.

Estar Stopper

Estar stopper forms a bulky stopper knot that is generally preferred for slippery ropes like Dyneema.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Easy to tie
• Bulkiest of the stopper knots
• Offers great resistance and unlikely to loose or slip through

Cons

• Can be tied incorrectly if not tightened in right order

Applications and Uses

The knot acts as an effective stopper, preventing the end of a rope from unraveling, slipping through holes, devices or other knots.

It is commonly used in climbing, boating and by arborists.

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