| Blood knot | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Names | Blood knot, Barrel knot |
| Category | Bend |
| Efficiency | 80% |
| Typical use | Joining monofilament nylon line |
| ABoK | #295, #345, #1413 |
A blood knot (barrel knot) is a bend knot most usefully employed for joining sections of monofilament nylon line while maintaining a high portion of the line's inherent strength. Other knots used for this purpose can cause a substantial loss of strength. In fly fishing, this serves to build a leader of gradually decreasing diameter with the castable fly line attached at the large diameter end and the fly or hook at the small diameter end. The principal drawback to the blood knot is the dexterity required to tie it. It is also likely to jam, which is not a concern in fishing line, which is no great loss to cut, but may be a concern in normal rope. "Blood knot" may refer to "a double overhand knot tied in a cat-o'-nine-tails."[1]
The barrel knot, called blood knot by Keith Rollo, is the best bend there is for small, stiff or slippery line. The ends may be trimmed short and the knot offers the least resistance possible when drawn through water.
A half blood knot (also clinch knot) is a knot that is used for securing a fishing line to a fishing lure, snap or swivel. When two half blood knots are used to join two lines they are considered as one knot and called a blood knot. A half blood knot is one of the strongest knots for tying a medium-size hook to a medium-size line such as hooksize 4 to 4/0 onto line size 6 lb to 30 lb.[3]
- ^ Ashley, Clifford W. (1944). The Ashley Book of Knots, p.82. Doubleday. ISBN 0-385-04025-3.
- ^ Ashley, Clifford W. (1944). The Ashley Book of Knots, p.259. Doubleday. ISBN 0-385-04025-3.
- ^ Geoff Wilson (2003). Encyclopedia of Fishing Knots & Rigs. Australian Fishing Network. ISBN 1865130400.