“The Double Overhand Knot is called a Blood Knot when used on a cat-o’-nine-tails, or on the snapper of an ox whip.”
— The Ashley Book of Knots
It is also a beautiful knot in its simplicity and symmetry. For those who may shy away from its brutal history, it was also used by monks to weigh down the spare lengths of rope with which they tied their cassocks. My grandfather taught me to tie a blood knot when he took me fishing as a young boy.
My interest in knots began around 1983, when I was a young seaman aboard HMAS Hobart (DDG 39). I lived in the after mess with 80 other men and one day saw two Leading Seamen, both Vietnam veterans, tying Turk’s heads. I thought the knots looked extraordinary, and they taught me to tie Turk’s heads and French hitching on my brand-new sailor’s knife—or boom knife, as we called it.
From there, I made my own tool belt, known as a gun belt, to carry the knife, marlinspike and other tools needed by a seaman working on the upper decks. Made with square knotting, it survived my next nine years at sea. I still have it, although it seems to have shrunk and no longer fits.
After leaving the Royal Australian Navy and beginning my grown-up life, I dabbled in knotting whenever time and inclination permitted. Many years later, social media introduced me to the work of Mikko Snellman, Philip Le Masurier, John Trevvett and other exceptional knotters, and my interest was renewed. One thing led to another, and here I am—knotting and making cordage.
For decorative knots to be seen at their best, they should be tied in what is known as hard-laid cord. Its firmness allows a knot to hold its shape and display clean, well-defined lines. Once you’ve gone hard lay, it’s hard to go back.
Sadly, Belfast Cords—the last commercial manufacturer of renowned quality hard-laid cord—closed many years ago. Dedicated artisans have since helped to fill the void by making beautiful cordage themselves. Their work sparked my curiosity and led to many hours of research and experimentation.
Eventually, I designed and built a working cord twister. A year or so later, Philip Le Masurier offered me his cord-making equipment. My twister was better than his, but his drive system was far better than mine, as was the design of his ropewalk. I collected Philip’s equipment in an epic 22-hour, almost 2,000-kilometre round trip. After modifying and combining the two systems, I began producing cordage I could be proud of.
Blood Knot is a one-person Australian workshop. Every length of cordage is handmade to order, with particular attention to firmness, consistency and clean knot definition. This website allows me to share my cordage with other knotters and makers, and I may occasionally offer some of my own knotted pieces as I make them.
If you have an idea, a special request or a product you would like me to consider, please get in touch. I may not be an expert in everything, but I’ll do my best to help.
Mark Delaforce