History Main / InstantKnots

* Oddly enough, in the attempt at the use of a vehicular grappling gun to turn tight corners, the ''Series/{{Mythbusters}}'' crew repeatedly managed to get an "instant knot" out of their launcher as the grapnel wrapped itself around the target beams.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UZ-2okkXsc#t=11m45s Pulled off]] by JJ in the third installment of the WebOriginal/BenMcYellow series, in his duel against [[BigBad Commander Bubba]]. They actually [[RealityIsUnrealistic pulled it off for real]] on the very first take.

* This is a particular ability of the Andromeda Chain in ''SaintSeiya''. Although candidates for the Andromeda Cloth are trained specifically to do this with ordinary iron chains, the Cloth's weapon is actually [[EmpathicWeapon semi-sentient and has its own will]], allowing it to obey its master's direct commands as well as wrap itself around objects on its own accord.

* MarvelComics' ''Comicbook/GhostRider'' wields a long chain, but rarely gets to use it against his supernatural enemies. When fighting more human foes, it tends to wrap around them. Somewhat justified by it being magical and possibly semi-sentient.

* ''TheDarkEye'' has a mage ritual, that allows to transform the wand into a rope (and back), which can tie/untie itself this way. As the one above, it's not suited to tie someone up.

* Makie from ''MahouSenseiNegima'' can snag oranges with her rhythmic gymnastics ribbon, and it also ends up as part of her pactio.

* Done by various TV incarnations of ''{{Zorro}}''.

* While all martial artists in ''RanmaOneHalf'' can do this with chain, cloth, or rope (and ''have'', repeatedly,) it's a particular specialty of Kodachi, [[MartialArtsAndCrafts champion of Martial Art Rhythmic Gymnastics]], who can wrap her ribbon around anything from a cup of tea to the referee's table... and whip it right back at the opponent's face. Mousse, [[ImprobableWeaponUser who attaches various implements of bodily harm to chains and ropes]], also favors wrapping up opponents to skewering or bludgeoning them.

** [[MemeticBadass He's likely skilled enough to be able to wrap it around anything he wants to, and strong enough to shatter anything he doesn't]].

* Generally implied with [[RazorFloss thread-users]]
** Walter of ''{{Hellsing}}''.
** Kazuki of ''{{GetBackers}}''.

* Gogo Yubari of ''KillBill'' has a similar trick with her EpicFlail.

* In an issue of ''LuckyLuke'', the right-hand man of a HangingJudge prides himself on being able to fashion a noose out of a loose end of rope with a simple flick of the wrist. Luke himself demonstrates his own version near the end, making a lasso instead.

* [[XenaWarriorPrincess Xena]] does this. Of course she [[{{Catchphrase}} has many skills]].

* 3rd Edition ''DungeonsAndDragons'' included the Lasher prestige class, a whip-specialist who could grab objects in this manner.
* 3.5 ed. ''DungeonsAndDragons'' included a spell called "Animate Rope" that would let you use a rope in this way (though not in combat); a very difficult use of the Use Rope skill allows you to do it without magic.

* ''{{Dil Se}}'': in the song and dance number, "Satrangi Re", Amar throws out his long black scarf which whips around the waist of Meghna so he can use it to reel her in.

'''Examples:'''

[[folder: Film ]]

* Flint Lockwood does this with a large shrimp and strand of spaghetti in ''CloudyWithAChanceOfMeatballs''.
* Rapunzel can do this with her hair in ''Disney/{{Tangled}}''.

* In an issue of ''LuckyLuke'', the right-hand man of a HangingJudge prides himself on being able to fashion a noose out of a loose end of rope with a simple flick of the wrist. Luke himself repeats the trick near the end, but makes a lasso instead.

* Paulie of ''OnePiece'' can produce ropes from {{Hammerspace}} and tie them around a target. He can even make them lash together into a net after he throws them.

* [[SinCity Miho]] does this when she uses her sash to wrap around the bumper of a moving car and hold on.

* IndianaJones has his canyon-swinging trick with his whip. (And even more oddly, it unties itself when he tugs on it afterwards, but not when he's putting all his weight on it by swinging across...)

* Ash does this with his belt to escape a pit at the start of ''[[Franchise/EvilDead Army of Darkness]]''.

* Inverted in ''LordOfTheRings''. Sam's elven-made rope has to be knotted manually, but unties itself when commanded. (At least, [[MaybeMagicMaybeMundane that's what Sam thinks; Frodo blames a bad knot]].)

* ''{{Castlevania}}'': While we all know the Vampire Killer is an enchanted whip, some of the Belmont familiy members were better than others at using it. Some of them got to the point of being able to command it to tie itself when nearing a hook in the ceiling. Magic, indeed, since not everyone can use it like that. Probably AWizardDidIt.
** As shown in the {{Prequel}}, it was ''technically'' an [[HermeticMagic Alchemist]] [[AWizardDidIt that did it]]. Said whip is powered by [[spoiler:[[HeroicSacrifice a heroic sacrifice]]]].

* Oddly enough, in the attempt at the use of a vehicular grappling gun to turn tight corners, the ''{{Mythbusters}}'' crew repeatedly managed to get an "instant knot" out of their launcher as the grapnel wrapped itself around the target beams.

* Inverted in ''LordOfTheRings''. Sam's elven-made rope has to be knotted manually, but unties itself when commanded. (At least, that's what Sam thinks; Frodo blames a bad knot.)