Rope bondage does not need many knots — it needs the right ones. A good bondage knot holds its shape, does not tighten on its own, and can be undone quickly. Here are six knots that do exactly that, what each one is used for, and two common knots that do not belong on a body.
Whatever you tie: safety shears within reach. A knot is only safe if you can get it off in seconds.
What makes a knot safe for bondage
- It does not slide or tighten when the rope is pulled.
- It can be untied quickly, even after it has been loaded.
- It sits flat and does not dig into the skin.
Knots that fail any of these belong on boats and parcels, not people.
1. The lark's head
A loop passed around something and back through itself. In bondage it is often used to start a tie: the bight is placed around a limb and the tails pass through it.
Use it for: starting ties, attaching rope to a ring or post.
Watch for: on its own around a limb, a lark's head tightens when pulled. It needs to be locked, as in a single column tie.
2. The half hitch
The simplest locking move: wrap the rope around something and tuck it under itself. Two half hitches in a row make a secure tie-off.
Use it for: tying off, attaching rope to other rope, building harnesses.
3. The square knot (reef knot)
Right over left, then left over right. A flat, symmetrical knot that joins two ends.
Use it for: finishing simple cuffs while you learn, tying off ends.
Watch for: tie it the wrong way round and you get a granny knot, which slips. Check that both loops lie flat and parallel.
4. The somerville bowline
The traditional finishing knot for the single and double column tie. Unlike the classic sailor's bowline, it does not capsize into a slip knot when it is loaded and released again and again.
Use it for: finishing column ties.
Learn it: see the first knots to master as a shibari beginner.
5. The overhand knot
A simple knot in one or two strands. In shibari it is used to build the front of a karada.
Use it for: decorative knots in a harness.
Watch for: it is hard to untie once loaded. Never use it as the knot that holds a cuff closed.
6. The slipped (quick-release) knot
Any knot where the last end is left as a loop instead of being pulled through. A pull on the loose end releases it.
Use it for: ties you might need to get out of fast.
Watch for: it can come undone by accident. And it never replaces shears.
Two knots to never use on a person
- The slip knot / running noose. It is designed to tighten when pulled. On a wrist, ankle or neck, that is exactly what you do not want.
- The classic bowline under changing load. On a boat it is excellent. Loaded and unloaded repeatedly on a body, it can capsize into a slipping loop. Use the somerville bowline instead.
Knots vs ties
Knots are the grammar; ties are the sentences. Once these knots are in your hands, move on to real ties in the right order: shibari tutorials: 10 basic ties. For every named knot, see the complete list of shibari knot names.
Practise until it is automatic
Knots should happen in your hands without thinking, so your attention can stay on the person. Drill each one 20 times on a chair leg, then on a practice doll, where you see how it sits on a body.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best knot for bondage?
For cuffs, the single column tie finished with a somerville bowline. It holds its size and does not tighten.
What knots should you not use for bondage?
The slip knot or running noose, and the classic bowline under changing load. Both can tighten or slip.
What is a quick release knot?
A knot where the last end is left as a loop, so a pull on the end releases it.
Is a square knot safe for bondage?
Yes, for finishing simple ties, as long as it is tied correctly and not as a granny knot.