Structure: The Water Knot (ABOK # 296, p 50) is essentially tied as an overhand knot. It is sometimes known as a Ring Bend

Warning: For the Animation, the ends were left short. For critical loads, e.g., when Climbing, the ends must be left much longer.

The Overhand Knot

Tying it: To tie the Water Knot 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.

Other Names: The Water Knot is also known by various other names including: Tape Knot, Ring Bend, Grass Knot, and Overhand Follow-Through.

Uses: In climbing it is used to join two pieces of webbing strapping.

Danger: I am indebted to Walter Siebert for information about failures that may occur in at least two quite different ways: 1. Cyclical loading of a Water Knot can cause the outer strap to work loose; 2. A snag or obstruction can catch the outer strap and flip it loose. Various options are available to minimize these risks:

Also see Testing by Tom Moyer.