Thanks a lot, never heard of that one before. And neither has my favourite app "Animated knots by Grog". At least, I couldn't find it

The fiador knot is used to make bridles for horses. It has other uses as well. The sliding knots I added to the lower example clamp down snugly on flashlight, water bottle, or whatever.

What sliding knot did you use?

The fiador knot is used to make bridles for horses. It has other uses as well. There is one upper loop and two lower loops that can be made any size.

Quick question. I've been thinking about the fiador since you posted it.

The fiador is a relatively complex knot. Using the fiador for horses fulfills a need that nothing else does but I am at a loss of other uses. A quick google search also fails to bring up other applications.

What does the fiador bring to the table that something simpler doesn't? I suggest an alternative knot could be a bowline on a bight and then tying the two ends for the third loop (with a sheetbend or anything convenient).

What does the fiador bring to the table that something simpler doesn't? I suggest an alternative knot could be a bowline on a bight and then tying the two ends for the third loop (with a sheetbend or anything convenient).

The fiador IS designed for a specific use that other knots can not accomplish. But it serves other uses as well.

But what are these other uses? I can't think of anything OTHER than on a horse. Any other application, simpler knots suffice.
KISS.

I am reluctant to add the fiador to my bag of tricks until I can think of such a use. For instance, I commonly use the zeppelin Bend over the sheetbend even though it is more difficult to tie because

1. It is stronger then the sheetbend
2. It doesn't bind even after stress is applied.

What does the fiador bring to the table that the bowline on a bight with an additional sheetbend doesn't? Except for equine applications, the fiador is listed as a decorative knot only.

This topic interests me since I occasionally need to retrieve large bulky paleontological specimens typically weighing 300-500 pounds, using some fairly elaborate rope rigging techniques. Is there any information on destructive testing of the fiador knot, i.e., at what load will it fail, especially if the rope ends are trimmed close?

I like using a "decorative knot" in a practical application.

Agreed, and I very much enjoy tying decorative knots in the comfort of my own sofa, with online access to detailed instructions. More so if the result has some practical application. Handiwork is underrated.

But my arsenal of knots I can tie anywhere, by heart, is very limited, and does not include decorative knots.