Packer’s Knot

The Packer’s knot is one of the secure binding knots.

It works like a zip tie knot, easy to tighten and secure, especially with a finishing touch of a Half hitch knot to lock the knot in place.

It’s often tied with twine and is used for packing parcels, hand bailing and binding meat for roasting.

Let’s check it in detail.

How to Tie a Packer’s Knot Step by Step

1. Pass the rope around the object.
2. Pass it under the standing end.
3. Make a Figure 8 around the standing end.
4. Make a loop around the standing part and feed it through the working end.
5. Tighten the knot.

You have tied this right if you notice Figure 8 knot around the standing end of the rope with both ends emerging from the same loop.

Want Extra Security?

The packer’s knot forms a sliding Noose that tightens as you pull the standing end of the rope.

After the required binding is reached, tie a locking Half hitch knot over the working end and pull it tight.

Common Mistakes

A Common mistake while tying this knot is threading the standing through the loops of the Figure 8 knot.

It results in a different knot altogether—the Figure 8 Noose (ABoK #1116).

Security

The Packer’s knot sits comfortably on the binding knot security scale.

It’s less secure than the Corned Beef and Salt Porked knot but is more secure than the Butcher’s knot.

It stays taut when the additional Half hitch knot is added at the end of the working end.

It does not jam and is relatively easy to untie if needed.

Other Variation: An Extra Twist

The Ashley Book of Knots describes another variation of the Packer’s knot.

Instead of a single wrap while finishing the Figure 8 knot, make an additional wrap around turn around the rope.

But Ashley himself was not a fan of this variation, and says “It’s a clumsy one to tie and I can see nothing in particular to recommend it.”

That said, it’s fun to explore it nonetheless.

Application and Uses

The Packer’s knot is a useful knot that can be used for binding purposes from anything ranging from tying bundles, parcels, or meats.

It can also be used as a zip tie knot.

It makes a useful knot for camping, bushcraft and day to day general use.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Easy to tie and untie
• Secure binding knot
• Less prone to jamming

Cons

• Not as secure as Corned beef and salt pork knot

Related Knots

Butcher’s Knot

The Bucher’s knot is tied like the Packer’s knot but instead of the Figure 8 knot, an Overhand knot is tied around the standing end.

It forms a Noose knot which can be sung tight around the object and can be secured further with a Half hitch.

It’s used to tie meat for roasting, but it’s also useful for binding packages.

That said, it’s not as secure as the Packer’s knot.

Corned Beef and Salt Porked Knot

The Corned Beef and Salt Porked knot is even secure than the Packer’s knot.

The name of this knot originates from its use in binding meat like—you guessed it—corned beef and salt pork.

It’s tied with a Buntline hitch around the standing end.

The Buntline needs to be tightened from time to time as the meat cooks and the knot is finished with a Half hitch after the meat has fully shrunk.

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