The surgeon's knot is a simple modification to the reef knot

Reef knot

The reef knot or square knot is an ancient and simple binding knot used to secure a rope or line around an object. Although the reef knot is often seen used for tying two ropes together, it is not recommended for this purpose due to potential instability of the knot.A reef knot is formed by tying...

. It adds an extra twist when tying the first throw, forming a double overhand knot, thus adding friction which makes the knot more secure. This knot is commonly used by surgeons

Surgery

Surgery is an ancient medical specialty that uses operative manual and instrumental techniques on a patient to investigate and/or treat a pathological condition such as disease or injury, or to help improve bodily function or appearance.An act of performing surgery may be called a surgical...

 in situations where it is important to maintain tension on a suture, giving it its name. Surgeon's knots are used in fly fishing

Fly fishing

Fly fishing is an angling method in which an artificial 'fly' is used to catch fish. The fly is cast using a fly rod, reel, and specialized weighted line. Casting a nearly weightless fly or 'lure' requires casting techniques significantly different from other forms of casting...

, in tying quilts, and for tying knots with twine.

Some sources categorize the surgeon's knot as a bend, since it can be effective as such.

Like the reef knot, the surgeon's knot capsizes and fails easily if one of the working ends is pulled away from the standing end closest to it.

External links

• Video instructions for tying a Surgeon's Knot