The Bowstring Knot is used to tension a bowstring to a bow.
It’s an ancient knot used by Aboriginal groups across several continents.
Later, it was adopted by the American and Mexican cowboys for use with their lariats and called it the Honda Knot.
We will get to the Honda knot later, but first, let’s see how to tie a Bowstring knot.
Bowstring Knot Details
Type: Loop
Other Names: Honda Knot, Archer’s Knot
ABoK Reference: #151, #1024
How to Tie a Bowstring Knot
- Tie a loose Overhand knot at the end of the rope.
- Feed the working end through the loop.
- Tighten the knot.
You can change the size of the loop by sliding the working end in and out of the loop. This can be useful when you need to tighten the rope around an object.
Bowstring Knot Step by Step
Pros & Cons
- Simple and easy to tie.
- Stays tight when once under tension.
- Easy to learn and master.
- Not as strong as Eye Splice
- Not so popular
Applications and Uses
This knot was traditionally used to attach the string to the bow.
It’s a great choice to tie a rope to an object. It keeps the rope tight and steady under tension.
While not common, it can be used in boating, camping, and even search & rescue operations to secure the rope tightly.
Double Bowstring Knot
Want a stronger Bowstring knot? Go for the Double Bowstring knot.
There is no concrete proof that it increases the strength of the single Bowstring, but it is worth a try.
Keep in mind, though, the two loops might make it awkward while tensioning the string to the bow.
Alternative Way to Tie a Bowstring to a Bow
A Bowstring can be tied to the lower end of the bow in different ways.
The first is with the regular Bowstring knot. Just pass the free end through the loop in the Overhand knot and tighten it.
The other method is also common and popular.
Tie a Clove hitch with Two half hitches on the lower end of the bow and tighten the knot.
It’s noted in the Ashley Book of Knots (ABoK #149).
Bowstring Knot vs Honda Knot
The Honda knot is tied similar to the Bowstring knot.
In fact the Hoda knot was adopted from the Bowstring knot and used by Cowboys across North America to work with the lariats to form a Lasso or a lariat loop.
So, what’s the difference?
The Honda knot is tied with an extra overhand stopper knot at the end of the rope, whereas the Bowstring does not contain one.
If you look at the application, the Honda knot is used to form a Lasso whereas the Bowstring is used to tie the string to the bow.
Bowstring Knot vs Bowyer’s Knot
The Bowstring and the Bowyer’s knot are used to attach the lower end of the bowstring to the bottom limb of the bow.
But they’re not the same thing.
The Bowstring knot is a simple loop formed by feeding the tag end through the loop of the Overhand Knot.
The Bowyer’s knot, or the Timber Hitch, is tied by forming an Overhand knot and looping the free end around the working part (NOT the standing end).
The Bowstring is an ancient knot used for tensioning the bowstring. Modern archers prefer an Eye Splice for its durability.
The Bowyer’s knot is one of the popular ways to connect the strings of the guitar and ukulele to the bridge of the instruments.
Note: People often seem to confuse the Bowstring knot with the Bowline knot. Both are two separate knots with different knot structures and applications.
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