| Monkey's fist | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Category | Stopper |
| Typical use | tied at the end of a rope to serve as a weight or an anchor |
| ABoK | #2202 |
| Instructions | [1] |
A monkey's fist or monkey paw is a type of knot, so named because it looks somewhat like a small bunched fist or paw. It is tied at the end of a rope to serve as a weight, making it easier to throw, and also as an ornamental knot. This type of weighted rope can be used as a hand-to-hand weapon, called a slungshot by sailors. It was also used in the past as an anchor in rock climbing, by stuffing it into a crack. It is still sometimes used today in sandstone, as in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains in Germany.