10 Best Knot to Join Two Ropes

When I first started tying knots, I had no idea there were so many ways to join two ropes. Some were strong but hard to untie, others simply slipped under heavy loading.

After trying out different knots, I figured out the top ones.

Today, I’m sharing the 10 best knot to join two ropes together. I’ll also share when each one works best.

Let’s start!

Best Knot to Join Two Ropes

Zeppelin Bend

The Zeppelin Bend is the most secure ways to join two ropes together.

It’s a knot most of us don’t know about, but it’s chock full of benefits.

It’s strong, won’t jam, but tricky to learn at first.

Pros

• Secure and doesn’t slip under tension.
• Easy to untie after heavy loads.
• Handles shock, slack shaking and cyclic loading.
• Works with slippery ropes like Dyneema.
• Easy to inspect with symmetrical shape.

Cons

• Hard to tie when under tension.
• Needs focus to tie without mistakes.
• Looks like the Hunter’s Bend which can cause confusion.

Best for: Zeppelin bend is good for heavy load tasks like rock climbing, rescue work and heavy lifting as it can bear heavy load and easy to untie after use.

Sheet Bend

The Sheet Bend is used to join two ropes of different sizes, materials and rigidities.

It’s simple and easy to tie which makes it a popular choice for making cargo nets and scouting projects.

Pros

• Easy to tie and untie
• Works with ropes of different sizes and stiffness

Cons

• Can loosen under heavy loads
• Not the best choice for high-load applications

Best for: The Sheet Bend is best for general use when joining two ropes of varying sizes. It’s often used for making nets, securing tarps, or decorative knot work.

Double Fisherman’s Knot

The Double Fisherman’s Knot is used to join two ropes of similar sizes or create a loop.

It is especially popular in climbing to make the Prusik loops.

It’s a strong knot that does not budge but can be difficult to untie later.

Pros

• Strong and secure
• Simple to tie and inspect
• Handles heavy loads well

Cons

• Very difficult to untie after being loaded

Best for: It is used for creating permanent loops or joining two ropes for critical applications like climbing, search & rescue works. If you need a secure knot that does not come undone this is the one, but it can be difficult to untie it later.

Figure Eight Bend

The Figure 8 Bend (also known as flemish Bend) is one of the simplest and most secure ways to join two ropes of similar diameter.

It’s tied like the rewoven Figure 8 Knot, so if you know how to tie the Figure 8 knot you are already halfway there.

It’s popular in climbing and rescue scenarios as it holds firm under tension and does not slip easily.

Pros

• Easy to tie and inspect
• Strong and secure

Cons

• Can jam if overloaded
• Bulky compared to other bend knots
• Not suitable for ropes of different diameters

Best for: It is best suited for critical applications like the climbing and rappelling, search & rescue operations, DIY rope projects and lanyards.

Carrick Bend

The Carrick Bend is used to join two heavy or stiff ropes.

It’s strong, doesn’t slip and works well with slippery or wet ropes.

It’s symmetrical so it’s a popular choice for decorative mats or wall hangings.

Pros

• Strong and secure
• Easy to tie and untie under load
• Doesn’t jam

Cons

• Easy to tie it wrong
• Bulky compared to other knots

Best for: It’s used to join heavy or stiff ropes like hawsers or cables and make decorative mats and bracelets.

Alpine Butterfly Bend

The Alpine Butterfly Bend is used to join two ropes securely.

It’s tied similar to the Alpine Butterfly Loop but is tied with the ends of the rope rather than the loop.

Pros 

• Easy to tie and remember
• Does not jam even after heavy loading

Cons

• Not popular, so easy to get it wrong
• Forms inferior bend if not tied correctly

Best for: The Alpine Butterfly Bend is best for climbing, mountaineering, and rescue operations.

Hunter’s Bend

The Hunter’s Bend is used to join two ropes of similar size especially slippery ones like Dyneema.

It’s often mistaken for the Zeppelin Bend due to their similarity in tying methods and final structure.

Pros

• Strong and secure
• Works with slippery ropes

Cons

• Hard to undo after heavy loading

Best for: Hunter’s bend is used to join slippery ropes like Dyneema, general utility tasks and knitting applications to join two yarns together.

Water Knot

The Water Knot, also known as the Ring bend, is used to join two ropes of webbing strapping.

It’s tied by using the simple Overhand Knot in one end and then rethreading the other end in the opposite direction.

Pros 

• Easy to tie
• Secure knot that can withstand large load if tied properly

Cons

• Can slip if not dressed properly with long tails.
• Difficult to untie after heavy loading.

Best for: It’s used in climbing to join two pieces of webbing strapping together to make a loop or make slings and grab handles. It’s also used to join two flat materials like leather or tape.

Flat Overhand Bend

The Flat Overhand Bend, also known as the European Death Knot, is used to join two ropes together.

It’s tied with an Overhand knot with two ropes as if they were a single rope.

It’s popular in climbing as it is less likely to catch on obstructions like rocks and edges due to its low profile design.

Pros 

• Easy to tie and check
• Low-profile design helps it pass smoothly over edges and reduces snagging

Cons

• Can roll and capsize under heavy loads or improper tying
• Difficult to untie after being loaded

Best for:  The Flat Overhand Bend is good for climbing to join two climbing ropes, join the ends of yarns, and extend lines when setting up tarps and shelters in camping and bushcraft.

Ashley Bend

The Ashley Bend is a symmetrical bend with identical front and back sides.

It’s a secure bend that holds tight with the slippery and stiff material.

Pros

• Strong and secure
• Does not slip with stiff and slippery materials

Cons

• Can jam if not dressed properly
• Difficult to untie after heavy loading

Best for: The Ashley Bend is used to join two stiff and slippery ropes together.

That’s it for this article!

Which bend knot do you prefer to use mostly? Do let us know in the comments below!

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