Description: Sword Knot. Black No 2. 18 in long, 1/8”wide plaited. Applied: Knotted through the “Pas de Ane Ring” of the Guard/Hilt of the sword. A sword is never carried without a sword knot. The Sword Knot is of a standard length. Field Officers’ Sword Knots are the same length as for Subaltern Officers History: Sword knot also sometimes called sword strap or tassel is a lanyard which used to be looped around the wrist to prevent the sword being lost if it is dropped.