The Water Knot is used to join two pieces of webbing strapping together.
It’s often used by climbers to make a sling for rappel anchors.
This knot is tied just as an Overhand knot, but a second strap is rethreaded along the path of the knot in the opposite direction.
Let’s learn it in detail.
Water Knot Details
Type: Bend Knot
Other Names: Ring Bend, Tape Knot, Overhand Follow through, Grass Knot
ABoK Reference: #296
How to Tie a Water Knot
- Make a loop with the Blue rope near the end.
- Pass it through the loop to make a loose Overhand Knot.
- Thread the RED rope through the knot.
- Bring it to the front and then to the back.
- Pass it through the front wrap of the BLUE knot.
- Tighten the knot.
You have done this right if the finished knot looks flat and clean. Both ends should exit in the opposite direction. If not, start over.
Water Knot Step by Step
Pro Tips
- Before you use this knot, set the knot properly by applying weight to it.
- Always leave at least 3 inches of tail. Short tails have a tendency to slip under load.
- The knot can undo itself with cyclic loading and unloading at relatively low force. Make sure the knot is tight and there is enough tail length every time you use it.
- For added security, some climbers duct-tape around the ends. It keeps the knot neat and prevents creeping.
When Not to Use It
The Water knot is simple. But it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution.
Never use this knot for:
- Joining Dyneema webbing
- Joining different-sized webbings
- Tying rope to webbing
If used in these cases, it makes the knot weak, and it may slip.
If you are dealing with critical situations, always prefer sewn slings over unsewn ones if the situation allows it. They are much more reliable.
NEVER use European Death Knot (EDK) or even two EDKs to join two slings together.
Pros & Cons
- Easy to tie
- Strong and secure, provided the tails are long and it’s tight
- Slips on certain materials like Dyneema or when the tail length is kept short.
- Jams and difficult to untie
- Can open up if it catches on an edge or any spike
Application and Uses
- Making a sling from webbing for use in rappel anchors
- Making a piece of webbing longer for rigging purposes
- Tying up the hammocks
- Making a grab handle or loops
- Joining flat materials like the tape, leather, and straps.
A Better Alternative? Flemish Bend
The Flemish Bend is another alternative to join two slings together.
It’s even better than the Water Knot, and easy to untie as well.
But be careful! It’s easy to get it wrong and accidentally tie another knot called the Flat 8 Bend.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Strong is the Water Knot?
The efficiency of the Water Knot is about 64% with 1-inch tubular nylon webbing.
It reduces the breaking strength of the webbing by around 30-40%, but that’s still strong enough for most cases if you tie it right.
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