Which knot is used to stop a rope end from fraying or slipping?

• A. Clove hitch
• B. Figure-eight stopper knot
• C. Bowline
• D. Sheet bend

Answer: (B)

A stopper knot at the end of a rope serves to prevent the strands from unraveling and to stop the end from slipping back through openings or gear. The figure-eight stopper knot creates a clear, bulky head on the rope end that resists being pulled back through small holes and is easy to untie after loading. It stays put under tension and keeps the end from fraying, which is exactly what you want for an end that you don’t want slipping or unraveling. In contrast, a clove hitch is meant for securing a rope to an object and can loosen or slip along the rope; a bowline makes a fixed loop but doesn’t provide an end-performing stopper to stop fraying; a sheet bend is for joining two ropes, not for stopping an end. So the figure-eight stopper knot is the best choice for stopping a rope end from fraying or slipping.