Water Knot (Ring Bend) Tying Details
Structure: The Water Knot (ABOK # 296, p 50) is essentially tied as an overhand knot (below left). It is sometimes known as a Ring Bend
The second strap (or rope) passes along the course of the Overhand Knot in the reverse direction. The knot should be arranged neatly and pulled tight.
Uses: In climbing it is used to join two pieces of webbing strapping.
Caution: The Water Knot has been reported to slip a little after cyclical low loading using some types of webbing. However, the commonly used 1" tubular nylon webbing resisted slipping under both high and low loading conditions. It is prudent to leave long tails with stopper knots in them and also inspect the Water Knot to check it has not slipped significantly. Also see Study by Tom Moyer.
