Monkey's Fist that was thrown from a ferry

This is on a dock on Nantucket. I didn't catch the actual event on video, but this is a Monkey's Fist knot that was thrown as the end of a "heaving line" to get a docking line from ship to shore. I have known how to tie the Monkey's Fist knot since 1994 or so. It's my favorite knot. This was the first time I have ever seen an actual working/seafaring specimen in use professionally.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• monkey's
• fist
• knot
• sailing
• Nantucket

[ornithoid]

Yes, you can make these without the marble or object inside it. But in that case, the smaller the cord/knot, the better. There are some that are designed where you tie a small "stopper knot" in the very end of the cord, and that becomes the starting point in the core. A Monkey's Fist tied like that can be made to have no cord ends, just a solid loop for use as a necklace or on a keyring. The first end is buried in the core; the second end is tucked under two of the turns.

[ornithoid]

It's easy to find instructions for this. Go to instructables dot com and search for Monkey's Fist and you'll find a video tutorial. I have not watched it and can't vouch for how good it is, but I know there's one there. Just google it, you'll find more, probably a lot more. And there's always books. Go to a book store and look in the outdoors section for "knots". Many knot books (and yes, there are many books about knots) have the Monkey's Fist.

[ornithoid]

More details about the Monkey's Fist. It's an old-timey knot, very enjoyable to tie, that is usually wrapped around a heavy object like a lead ball; the knot is used as a heaving line. That is, the thin cord of the knot is tied to a large diameter dock line that is too heavy to be thrown from a ship to a dock. The ball is thrown to the dock, and a mate there draws the heavy dock line over to moor the boat.

[sparklerbombg]

can u make this using human genitalia?

[phildeez1984]

a trick I have used.... If you dont have a ball or nut (off a shackel and pin) to put in the fist, dip it in polyeurathane and let dry...you get a heavy indestructable monkeys fist...

[TheTexn]

At Freeport, Texas, down at the docks a man was accidently killed when he was hit in the head with a monkey fist. He was a dock worker and was there very early one morning when a ship was having it's moorings strengthened before an expected gale blew in. It was assumed that he did not see the monkey fist and it hit him in the head, An investigation was conducted to determine if his death was accidental or possible a homicide.

[rizlas2]

what happens if you throw monkeys fist in the monkey cage at the zoo?

[Thedalley]

if you don't put an object in it it wouldn't be weighted so therefore would'nt work why do people seem to think that if you put a knot in somthing it increase's it weight!!

[Thedalley]

@itbeshowinlikeamotha it wont' look better without the ball

[ornithoid]

I think jungleprimitive's comment was most accurate. He said that the knot will have an improved shape (roundness) when a core is used. "Not keep its shape at all" implies that the knot will be squishy or not round-looking when not tied with a core, which is not so. I've made plenty of good-looking 'fists without cores. They are *better* with cores, which was the pith of jungleprimitive's comment. Just a matter of nuance is all.

[karate5662]

it's often used for weighting the end of a rope for throwing, but experienced sailors cut them off because they're really dangerous with heavier ropes.

[star4galaxy]

what is it used for anyway?

[itbeshowinlikeamotha]

CAN YOU MAKE IT WITHOUT THE BALL?

Technically, yes. But it won't keep its shape at all.

THAT MEANS THAT WITHOUT THE BALL IT WILL NOT KEEP ITS SHAPE

AKA

IT WILL LOOK BETTER WITHOUT A BALL.

Now be done.