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How to Tie a Water Knot
The water knot (ring bend) is the approved method for joining flat webbing and tape — essential for making climbing slings and extending anchors. The only reliable knot for flat material.
How to Tie a Water Knot Step by Step
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Written Instructions — Water Knot
- Loose overhand in first webbing Tie a completely loose overhand knot in one end of the webbing.
- Thread second end through — follow path Thread second webbing end into the overhand from the exit side of the first piece.
- Rethread entire path in parallel Both webbing pieces must lie perfectly flat and parallel throughout.
- Check no twists Verify completely flat — any twist reduces strength significantly.
- Tighten and check tails Pull tight. Leave 3 inch tails — check before every use.
Tips for Tying a Water Knot
- Minimum tail length is 3 inches — water knots are known to creep under repeated loading and MUST be inspected before use.
- A twisted water knot looks correct but can fail at 50% of normal strength — always check for twists.
- This is the ONLY approved knot for flat webbing — do not substitute a bowline or figure eight.
- Check and re-tighten water knots at the start of every climbing day.
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