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Joining two ropes: sheet bend, double fisherman's, water knot, carrick bend and reef knot

Which knot do I use to join two rope or webbing ends?

Five joining knots compared, including the reef knot, which is explicitly unsuitable as a bend under load and is included as a warning example. Strength figures are deliberately not given. None of these knots is meant for life safety on this platform: climbing, abseiling, rescue and securing or lifting people require training and certified equipment.

Starting situation
Legend
Select methods to compare side by sideMethodHolds reliably under loadFor ropes of unequal thicknessUnties after loadingEasy to tie and checkIn slick, thin cord
Sheet bendPartlyYesYesYesPartly
Double fisherman's bendYesDependsNoPartlyYes
Water knot (tape knot)PartlyNoNoYesDepends
Carrick bendPartlyDependsYesNoNo
Reef knotNoNoYesPartlyNo

Legend:● Yes◐ Partly◇ Depends○ No* = note available

Sheet bend

Effort:
Very low
Needs:
Two rope ends; the thicker one forms the bight
  • Holds reliably under loadPartly

    Can loosen when unloaded or flogged – long tails, check regularly.

  • For ropes of unequal thicknessYes

    Its typical purpose; for a large difference use the double sheet bend.

  • Unties after loadingYes
  • Easy to tie and checkYes
  • In slick, thin cordPartly

    Choose the double sheet bend with slick rope.

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Double fisherman's bend

Effort:
Moderate; uses a lot of rope
Needs:
Two ends with enough length
  • Holds reliably under loadYes
  • For ropes of unequal thicknessDepends

    The entry makes no statement on this; for clearly unequal ropes the sheet bend is described.

  • Unties after loadingNo

    Very hard to untie after loading – rather for permanent joins.

  • Easy to tie and checkPartly

    Correct: two crosses on one side, four parallel strands on the other; mistakes are hard for beginners to spot.

  • In slick, thin cordYes
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Water knot (tape knot)

Effort:
Low
Needs:
Two ends of flat webbing
  • Holds reliably under loadPartly

    Tails can creep out under repeated loading – inspect before each use.

  • For ropes of unequal thicknessNo

    Made for flat webbing, not for unequal round ropes.

  • Unties after loadingNo

    Hard to untie after high loads.

  • Easy to tie and checkYes

    Easy to inspect visually if the webbing is not twisted.

  • In slick, thin cordDepends

    For webbing, not for cord.

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Carrick bend

Effort:
Moderate; practice needed
Needs:
Two thick or stiff rope ends
  • Holds reliably under loadPartly

    Holds when tied correctly – compare with a reliable illustration.

  • For ropes of unequal thicknessDepends

    Described for thick or stiff ropes; no statement on unequal diameters.

  • Unties after loadingYes

    Hardly jams, even after heavy loads.

  • Easy to tie and checkNo

    Easy to tie wrongly; the over-under pattern must alternate strictly.

  • In slick, thin cordNo

    Choose a different bend for thin, slick cord.

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Reef knot

Effort:
Very low
Needs:
Two ends of one cord around a bundle
  • Holds reliably under loadNo

    Can capsize as a bend under load and come completely apart.

  • For ropes of unequal thicknessNo

    Capsizes especially with unequal diameters.

  • Unties after loadingYes

    Precisely because it capsizes – handy as a binding knot around a bundle.

  • Easy to tie and checkPartly

    Simple, but easily confused with the granny knot.

  • In slick, thin cordNo
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