The Thief Knot looks like the Square Knot (Reef Knot) at first glance.
The key difference?
The short ends lie on the opposite diagonals, whereas with the Square Knot, they exit on the same sides.
Let’s learn it in detail.
Thief Knot Details
Type: Binding Knot
Other Names: Bag Knot, Bread Bag Knot
ABoK Reference: #1207
How to Tie a Thief Knot
- Make a bight on one end of the rope and feed the tag end of the other rope through it.
- Wrap it around both ropes.
- Feed the tag end back through the bight.
- Pull all ends to tighten the knot.
You have tied this knot correctly if the tails lie diagonally on opposite sides of the knot.
Strength of the Thief Knot
The Thief Knot is even weaker than the already insecure Square Knot. It slips when the ends are pulled apart in the opposite direction.
Application and Uses
Honestly, the Thief Knot is unreliable and pretty useless.
In Ashley’s words, he says, “I have ever met this knot in practical use, I have neither recognized it nor paid the penalty for my failure to do so.”
So why tie it?
Mostly for fun and teaching.
It’s a cool trick to show people how a knot can look right but act wrong.
It should be avoided in all practical scenarios.
How to Spot a Thief Knot from a Square Knot and Granny Knot?
Square Knot
The Square Knot consists of two Half Knots.
It’s commonly tied as “Left over right, tuck under, then right over Left, tuck under.”
If done in this fashion, you’ll end up with the short ends on the same side (top or bottom).
Granny Knot
The Granny Knot is what you get when you mess up the Square Knot.
It’s tied similar to the Square Knot, but the first step is repeated twice, “Left over right, tuck under.”
In doing so, the short ends are on the same side of the knot, but the loop does not pass completely over or under like the Square Knot.
Thief Knot
The Thief Knot is not tied by mistake like the Granny Knot.
It has short ends on diagonally opposite ends, and the loop passes completely over and under the knot.
History of the Thief Knot
Back in the day, sailors used this knot to catch thieves on ships.
It is said that the sailors would tie the clothesbag and breadbag with this knot.
If somebody untied the bag and retied it with the Square Knot, the switch would be obvious and the thief would be detected.
It’s a short little story that makes knot tying so much fun!
It shows that the knot tying wasn’t about holding things together. Sometimes, it’s a skill, trick, or even a trap!
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