Learning to tie knots

Nate Tastic wrote:

It's essentially one half of the Triple Fisherman's knot (as I quoted above) and why the misnomer exists? It's only half wrong, I suppose?

Also, and I'm paraphrasing, some people call it a Barrel Knot and technically it is one because a Barrel Knot can have two, three, four, five loops etc. (source.) aka the Stopper Knot or even better, as it's more descriptive, Triple Overhand as mentioned.

exactly.  It's only "one half" of the triple fisherman's knot.  And if someone used only one half of the triple fisherman's to do a double rope rappel then they would likely be deceased that same day.  Half wrong is still wrong.

Yeah, I have heard it called a barrel knot, but triple overhand is much more specific as it tells you exactly how many loops.  

Also, some people use a figure eight as a stopper knot (not a good idea though since they come out easily and they will not stop a leader from rappelling off the end of a rope).  So telling someone to tie a double overhand in the end instead of a stopper knot will make sure they don't tie a figure eight instead.

Terminology matters when safety is an issue.

rockklimber wrote:

He means a figure eight follow knot.  He is confusing this with doubling back your harness.  Using the correct names of knots is a good habit to get into.

Considering I have converted to the bowline on a bight, I only tie a figure 8 when I am doing a belay check at the gym and I have to use it.  Still, I can tie it with my eyes closed.

Nate Tastic wrote:

It's not wrong if it's done right. In theory, they'd be deceased if they rappelled past the ends of their ropes with only 1...one HALF of a Triple Fisherman's Knot tied. You need two and both ends of the rope should have one of these "half" knots (whatever you call it) for it to stop (stopper knot) you from rappelling off the ends of the rope. It's a half a triple fisherman's knot but, done on each separate strand of the rope instead of connecting the rope into one, and why the misnomer. But, call it a Triple Overhand because that's the most correct (Then stopper is fine too, imo. I don't mind barrel knot either 'cause I know what they mean when they tell me to put that knot on both ends of the rope; they mean it's a triple barrel. Similar to the barrel I use when I backup my figure 8 follow through using the excess tail etc.)

Either way, I agree, terminology matters, yet at the same time, knowing that there is a slew of different names for the same knot and misnomers to boot and the possibility that you'll climb with partners from different areas and backgrounds and era et al. who all use different names etc. is important. Know what the knot is supposed to look like and why it's being used and when to use it and the various names too. That is what I say, anyway. Double check each other and agree on terminology between partners but, get'er done.

I mean, at the end the day call it a "Duck Knot" if you want. Just as long as it's tied correctly in both ends of the rope and both you and your partner know it's correct, know that it's there and have doubled checked to see that you tied a "Duck Knot" in both ends of your rope and this before you rappel etc.

Note: just don't call it a Ducknose Knot because that's a different knot; only using the made-up name "Duck Knot" as an example to establish a point. If it walks like a duck and looks like a duck then it's a duck. P.s.There is no such thing as a Duck Knot, call it Triple Overhand or Stopper Knot or Tripple Barrel Knot but, do tie the damn thing in both ends of the rope!

I realize this may all be confusing, and I'm making it that much more so for the OP but, that's why OP should get an experienced mentor to go over all of this stuff with him/her before using any of these knots while climbing, as was mentioned several times. But, by all means, practice your knots at home, then get them checked, double checked and tripled checked and more by someone that actually knows what they are doing.

I digress.

ETA

I believe rockklimber and I agree, I only bring up all this because there are nuances to these things and you should be aware of that fact, that's all.

Yes, you need a double (or triple) overhand in both ends of the rope when rappelling.

I know that same knots have a couple of names, but I don't know of a knot having a slew of different names except when someone calls a knot by the incorrect name (such as a fishermans knot....)