Honda Knot
How to tie the Honda Knot. This is the knot all cowboys use to form their lasso or lariat and also goes by the names Lasso Knot or Lariat Knot. It is sometimes mistakenly called the Hondo knot, perhaps because that sounds more western and cowboy-ish due to the 1953 film of that name featuring John Wayne. But in reality the Honda Knot and name can be traced back to Clifford Ashley's use (Ashley's Book of Knots, 1944), where he states it may have been used by the aborigines of several continents. It is also correctly known as the "Bowstring Knot".
The Honda Knot creates the most nearly-perfect circle of any knot. Its round shape, especially when tied in stiff rope, helps it slide freely along the rope it is tied around which is what makes it good for a lariat.
Scroll to see Animated Honda Knot below the illustration and tying instructions.
Honda Knot Tying Instructions
- Tie a loose overhand knot at the end of a rope.
- Now tie a tight overhand knot at the very end of the rope for a “stopper” and bring the end back through one side of the overhand knot.
- Tighten down the loose overhand knot and pull the stopper knot up tight. That is the circular Honda Knot.
- Now feed the main line through the Honda to form a lasso of any size.
