blokknak

Blokknak is a term used in Dutch ropework and sailing to describe a knot designed to secure a line to a block or pulley. The word combines blok (block) with knak, a form related to knotting. The concept appears in Dutch rigging literature and is sometimes described as a stopper or securing knot used where a rope passes or bears on a block.

Description: In typical usage, a blokknak is tied around the standing part of the rope just before or after it passes through a block, creating friction that resists slip. The knot is generally simple to tie and can be released by undoing the final turn or hitch. Variants exist, influenced by regional tradition, and some sailors prefer an overhand-on-a-bight or a figure-eight variation as the blokknak.

Applications: Common in sailing and rigging for temporary securing of lines to blocks, halyards, and purchases. It is valued for speed and ease of tying, though for critical load-bearing applications heavier or more secure stopper knots may be preferred.

History and usage: The term is most commonly found in Dutch-language sources from the 19th to 20th centuries. In modern practice, the knot is less standardized internationally and may be described under different names in other languages, leading to a variety of forms under the same general concept.

See also: Stopper knot, Figure-eight knot, Clove hitch, Ropework terminology.