First of all, this is less a tutorial on how to make Monkey's Fist knots, as it is how to make them the way we make them. This tutorial assumes a working knowledge of how to make Monkey Fist knots of various bights (loops). This tutorial describes a method similar to that of our Monkey Fist Heads.

This fist was done using 3/8 in. rope. The end product uses approximately 11.5 feet, but 15 feet of rope will be needed to make one fist using this method (that is to say, for two fists, you will need ~28ft.). For those who know how to do the knot in reverse, using less is possible, but this unorthodox method is not discussed here.

• Rope, 3/8 in., 28ft (K1 Rope suggested)
• Steel Wire Cable, 1/16 in., 2ft.
• Cable Sleeves
• 3/4 in. ID Rings

• Cable Cutter
• Sleeve crimping tool (swager, pliers acceptable)
• Scissors or other cutter for trimming rope
• Patience

• PVA (e.g., Elmer's Glue-All)
• KEVLAR(R) sewing cord/thread
• Scissors (for cord/thread, if used)
• Needle (for cord/thread, if used)

Fist One

Optional preparation: make marks at 2', 3', 11', and 12'. Fist One should take ~2.5' and you should reach between 11' and 12' at the end of the first fist.

1. Tie the end of the rope in a simple knot. This will become the core of the first fist.

2. Begin making your 2-bight monkey fist knot.

3. At the end (shown here) take your knot and insert it into the core of the fist.

4. Go through and tighten your fist.

II. Securing Attachment

5. Taking your cable, slide a swage/sleeve on, creating a loop of at least 3/4". Crimp. (NOTE: We now use Stainless Steel Rings instead of a loop.)

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6. Insert the wire into Fist One, as shown. Placement is important, as will be shown later. Use a device (e.g., plier handles) to loosen the bights, if necessary.

7. Loosen the same loops on the opposite side of the fist. Slide one swage onto each end of the wire before inserting the wire under these bights.

8. Pull the ends tight, with pliers, if necessary, and crimp. Cut off the wire ends, being careful not to damage any load-bearing cable. End Result:

III. Fist Two

9. Begin 4-bight monkey fist construction, at the opposite end from Fist One. You will need to make your loops large, so that the knot will be able to fit later on.

10. At the end, insert Fist One into the core of Fist Two. Make sure that the wire loop comes out the same end as the loose piece of rope. This is why it matters where you put the loop in stage II.

11. Tighten Fist Two, adjusting the core to make sure the loop stays where you want it. The following should result from your endeavors:

12. Tuck the loose end (shown short here for simplicity's sake) under a set of loops (straight across works fine). You will probably need to wedge your plier handle underneath to create room. If you wish to use glue,  inject some into the junction between the 3 sets of loops.

13.  Trim the rope wick, tuck it into the junction (see the notes on termination below), and glue on top.

Here it is! If this was only the first, time to repeat the process.

Das Ende

Notes

1. Termination: Note that using this method conveniently takes care of one end of the rope; as it is used in the core, you never have to worry about terminating it. However, there is the remaining end to deal with. If you do not plan on using the remaining rope for attaching your chain and/or handles, sever the rope where it exits the fist.