Category Archives: Knot craft

ESEE Izula paracord handle wrap termination knot

The ESEE Izula is a tough little fixed-blade knife designed for pocket or neck carry. The skeletonised handle can be left naked for minimum bulk, but is much more comfortable to hold with the addition of a 550 paracord wrap. The addition of a wrap also gives plenty of scope for personalisation.

A quick look on Google Images, Youtube or the ESEE forum will provide loads of ideas about wrap patterns and methods, but I was unable to find a knot which terminated any of these wraps to my satisfaction – they all seemed either insecure,  too bulky or too messy.

The ESEE Izula with basic paracord wrap (overhand termination knot), and unwrapped. Image from ESEE's website.
The ESEE Izula with basic paracord wrap (overhand termination knot), and unwrapped. Image from ESEE’s website.
The instructions supplied with the Izula for wrapping the handle. Image from ESEE's website.
The instructions supplied with the Izula for wrapping the handle. Image from ESEE’s website.

ESEE suggest ‘tying the loose ends’ at the end of the wrap. Pictures on their website show a simple overhand knot – simple, but not very neat, and of dubious security.

I initially used a Mathew Walker knot, which is very neat and symmetrical, but a bit fiddly to tie and tighten. It also leaves a bulky lump on the end of the pommel, which is not ideal when pushing on the pommel with your palm (which occurs when using the blade tip as a drill, for example).

One of my previous handle wraps, finished with a Mathew Walker knot.
One of my previous handle wraps, finished with a Mathew Walker knot.

In an effort to come up with something neater and less bulky, I tried tying prototype knots around a pencil using two different colours of cord. This made it much easier to figure out how the two opposing wrapped cords could lock up against each other.

My prototype of the termination knot, formed round a pencil.
My prototype of the termination knot, formed round a pencil.
Reverse side of the prototype termination knot.
Reverse side of the prototype termination knot.
Termination knot in place on the Izula handle.
Termination knot in place on the Izula handle.
It gives a very clean, non-bulky finish to the handle wrap, leaving two ends to act as a fob.
It gives a very clean, non-bulky finish to the handle wrap, leaving two ends to act as a fob.
My original diagram for the knot, as posted on both the ESEE and IGKT forums. To date, no one has been able to identify it as a previously recorded knot for me.
My original diagram for the termination knot.

I posted details of this knot on both the ESEE and IGKT forums. To date, no one has been able to identify it as a previously recorded knot.