Knots - Monkey's Fist

Monkey's Fist

The Monkey's Fist is a heaving line knot and is used to pass lines to shore or vessel to vessel. There are several variations of this knot. The example show here is the regular three-ply Monkey's Fist. The origins of this knot are lost in history and nobody really knows when this knot was first tied. When tying the knot for use aboard vessles it is usual to put a weight in the center. This ensures that the knot is heavy enough to throw a considerable distance.
Normally the line the knot is attched too is a light line which in turn is attached to the hawser the vessel will be moored with.
The monkeys fist is then swung round and round from the foredeck by a sailor, building up as much speed as possible before letting the line go. Once the sailor lets the line go it will travel at a considerable speed towards the wharf or vessel if passing lines at sea. Anybody standing in the vacinity should watch out as the finished knot weighs several pounds and could give you a nasty thump.

In the picture below below you can see how to tie the regular Monkey's Fist as a three-ply knot. It also shows the crossings that occur inside the knot which are invisible from the outside.

Internal crossings regular Monkey's Fist

Internal Crossings of the Monkey's Fist

You will find that the ends of the finished knot are usually spliced together into an eye so that it can easily be attatched to a heaving line. When the Monkey's Fist is not it use the heaving line is put to use for other purposes.

With practice it is possible to tie and finish the monkey's fist in 15 minutes or less. This includes splice and whipping to make an eye.

Tip's

1. If you are going to use three ply rope to tie your monkey's fist, either stick a thumb knot or use a couple of rubber bands on the ends so that they don't fray.
2. When using small line I usually spread my fingers wide and slide the first three loops towards my finger tips before starting the second set of three loops. You then have a gap between your fingers, so tuck the line through the gaps in your fingers until you have completed the second set of loops. Work from from the gap at bottom moving upwards.

Step 1. Start by placing a long end under your thumb on your right hand dangling down to the floor.
Step 2. Pull the other end of the line across your palm and down towards your little finger, now loop your chosen material around your hand three times working back towards your thumb.
Step 3. Once you have completed three loops tuck the line through the three loops ensuring it crosses under the line held by your thumb.
Step 4. Now take the line around the outside of the first three loops to complete three loops at right angles to the first three loops. Once you have complete the second set of three loops the end of your line should be facing you on the same side of the knot as the end under your thumb, only next to your finger tips.
Step 5. Now for the third set of loops. Take the end under your thumb and pass it over the outside of the second set of loops you have just formed. Tuck the end through the first set of loops and again around the outside of the second set. Finally complete your loop by tucking it though the first set of loops again, completing the first loop of your third set of loops. Do this until you have three completed three loops. Once this is done you will have a loose ball which when worked tight will form a regular monkey's fist.
If you have made your monkey's fist out of large rope so that you can use it aboard a vessle, you will need to put a weight in the center. A round stone that can be completly encased will do the trick if you don't have a metal ball.
In the animation below you can see how the Monkey's Fist is tied:

For A LARGER IMAGE click on the animation

Finishing the knot for practical use:
From the short end protruding from the knot decide how long you want the end to be and tie a bit of string around it snugly and use this as your starting point to work the knot tight. Next start to work the knot tight. You may need to do this several times using a marlin spike. An alternative if you don't have a marlin spike would be a flat bladed screwdriver with no sharp edges. Once your knot has been worked tight you can then finish the knot by splicing the ends together. Once they have been spliced you will need to whip the two strands together to form an eye.