Knots for Stair Ropes & Handrails

The terms "two ply" and "three ply" refer to the number of times the pattern of the knot is followed around. Both versions are completely secure - constructed by unlaying the component strands of the rope and re-forming them into a permanent locking knot - the three ply knot is a more ornate knot, and of course larger.

The image above shows the two types of manrope knot available, made in two diameters of hemp rope; from left to right: 2 ply knot in 24mm rope, 3ply knot in 24mm rope, 2ply knot in 32mm rope, 3 ply knot in 32mm rope.

A two ply manrope knot which is tied into a 24mm diameter rope sits about 5cm outside the end bracket, and is approximately 7cm high, or about the size of a tennis ball. For a 32mm diameter stair rope, the Two-ply knot is approximately 7cm x 9cm.

The larger three ply manrope knot measures approximately 6cm by 8cm on a 24mm stair rope. A "super-sized" three-ply knot in 32mm rope comes to about 8cm long and 11cm high - the size of a large grapefruit!

The images left and above show two-ply knots made from 24mm black and green p.o.s.h. rope, with satin chrome and brass stair rope fittings respectively.

At the top of the page the title picture is of a three-ply Manrope knot in 24mm cotton tied in to a stair rope with a satin chrome fitting.

At the foot of the page (under our contact details) is an image of a two-ply knot tied into a 24mm hemp rope. The fitting is wrought iron with gunmetal finish on a square base plate.

The two hemp stair ropes with wrought iron fittings below show the difference in size between two ply knots tied into 24mm and 32mm hemp.

A sailor's eye-splice may be used as a secure alternative rope ending on a handrail in certain situations where it is not possible to use the manrope end knot - for example, where the edge of the wall is too close, or if a stair rope or bannister rope needs to be run between the inside edges of newel posts.

The Eye-splice with Turks Head whipping (shown right) on a stair rope was a solution for a tight space. A purpose made fitting on the hemp stair rope has the eye ring welded directly to the base plate - i.e. with no post. See the fittings page for our specially adapted stair rope brackets.

The Sailor's Eye splice is a loop made in the same length of rope and joined to itself: the strands at the rope end are unlaid and tucked over and under each other back along the length of the rope. At the same time they are pulled through and worked tidily along the lay.

The image on the left shows an eye splice tied into the end of a 24mm natural hemp rope around a wrought iron fitting, with the cut strands left visible. The strength of the splice relies on the skill of the knotter in the working of these strands, which when under tension will lock together and absorb any movement in the rope. For more information and images on Eye-Splices and knots see our Working with ropes page.

An eyesplice is one of the strongest and most efficient of knots, and it is proper practice to leave the strands a little proud of the rope in case the splice draws. This area will be covered with a Turk's head whipping to give a neat and decorative finish.

In addition, we offer a series of decorative endings - all are integral to the stair ropes they finish i.e. they are made with the strands of the same rope and therefore are much more durable and secure than screw-on, sewn or glued fixings.

It should be noted that decorative rope endings are generally less suitable for stair ropes in heavy or constant use. Even although the rope will always be locked at the end bracket by a cross screw (with all the fittings we provide), it is the end of a stair rope that takes the most wear, so a Manrope stopper knot or Eye splice loop will reduce the stress on the rope end at this point to a much greater extent than a more flexible arrangement such as a loosely hanging crown plait or extended rope tassel. The one exception to this is the Matthew Walker Knot Tassel which, when positioned right against the end fitting (see below) is as secure as a Manrope knot.

A crown plait is made by carefully building up a series of crown knots with the four unlaid strands of the rope. The plait drops down from an end bracket and makes a striking decorative feature.

The usual crown plait measurement on our stair ropes is approximately 450mm (18 inches), comprising 80mm (3 inches) of plain rope and 380mm (15 inches) of plaiting or braiding, including the 2 ply manrope knot, although we can also make to your requirement.

Originally, the idea for the crown plait as an ending for a stair rope came from a request for us to copy an old photograph for a chateau restoration. You can see some images of our crown plaits in situ here used as endings on the stair ropes we provided for the refurbishment of the Cromarty Historic Parish Church in Scotland.

A tassel tied into the end of a stair rope is usually allowed to drop down beyond the end bracket fixing, after a short section of plain rope. The loose strands can then be teased out, combed or plaited. In the case of the Matthew Walker knot, it can be set snug up against the end fitting and in this positioning, is a very secure rope ending indeed. The knot is actually very simple in structure, being made from a series of overhand knots tied into each other, but to produce one neat and tight is an acquired skill.

The Matthew Walker is one of the few knots that has the distinction of being named after a person - the story goes that a sailor was offered a reprieve from his death sentence if he could show the judge a knot that the judge himself ( a former sailor) could neither tie or untie!

The image left / above shows a Matthew Walker Knot tassel in cotton rope with unlaid strands - the end bracket is positioned around 20cm (8 inches) from the knot end.