Wasserknoten

Wasserknoten, also known as water knots or ring bends, are a type of knot used to join two ropes of similar diameter. They are particularly useful for creating a closed loop with a rope, such as for forming a grommet or a continuous loop for a sling. The knot is created by tying a simple overhand knot in each of the two ropes, leaving a few inches of tail on each. Then, the standing end of one rope is passed through the loop of the overhand knot on the other rope, and the standing end of the second rope is passed through the loop of the overhand knot on the first rope, in the opposite direction. Finally, the two standing ends are pulled to tighten the knot.

The Wasserknoten is known for its simplicity and ease of tying, even with wet or slippery ropes. It is a secure knot that holds well under load and is relatively easy to untie after being stressed, a significant advantage over some other joining knots. However, it is crucial to leave adequate tail lengths when tying the Wasserknoten, as insufficient tail can lead to the knot slipping. The knot's structure involves the two overhand knots interlocking, creating a stable bend. It is a common knot in climbing, mountaineering, and sailing for creating loops or joining ropes for specific applications where security and ease of untying are important. It is essential to ensure that both overhand knots are tied in the same direction and that the working ends are on opposite sides of the main loop.