# What knot do you use to tie 2 ropes together? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 4, 2016, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-knot-do-you-use-to-tie-2-ropes-together/751201 "2016-04-04T22:33:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2016, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-knot-do-you-use-to-tie-2-ropes-together/751201/21 "2016-04-05T13:57:08Z")
> [@standingwave](#): > > I would go with what I was taught: [Figure of Eight Follow-Through](http://www.wikihow.com/Tie-a-Rethreaded-Figure-of-8-Climbing-Knot). The link shows a loop knot, not a bend. ---
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2016, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-knot-do-you-use-to-tie-2-ropes-together/751201/22 "2016-04-05T14:04:01Z")
> [@Xema](#): > > The link shows a loop knot, not a bend. **standingwave** probably meant [the Flemish or Figure 8 bend](http://www.animatedknots.com/fig8join/#ScrollPoint) that **CMC** linked to. ---
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2016, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-knot-do-you-use-to-tie-2-ropes-together/751201/23 "2016-04-05T14:06:31Z")
> [@Xema](#): > > Under any name, it’s among the worst possible choices. > > The Granny Knot is a truly bad knot that should really never be used - but as a bend it’s _much_ better than a Square/Reef Knot. I have never heard that a Granny knot was in anyway superior to a square/reef knot. Wiki doesn’t think so either but doesn’t cite its source. In what way do you think that the Granny is superior? Personally, I wouldn’t use either for anything more critical than tying a package with twine. ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2016, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-knot-do-you-use-to-tie-2-ropes-together/751201/24 "2016-04-05T14:27:26Z")
> [@Nars\_Glinley](#): > > In what way do you think that the Granny is superior? Again from ABoK, re the Granny Knot as a bend: > [@](#): > > Its use is inexcusable, but it is hardly so bad for the purpose as the Reef Knot, for although it will slip it does not have the same tendency to capsize and spill. > [@](#): > > I wouldn’t use either for anything more critical than tying a package with twine. The Reef Knot is a good choice for a binding knot that is quick & easy to both tie and untie - yank on one of the free ends and it spills and falls apart. ---
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2016, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-knot-do-you-use-to-tie-2-ropes-together/751201/25 "2016-04-05T15:00:07Z")
> [@Xema](#): > > Again from ABoK, re the Granny Knot as a bend: > . Thanks. I have [The Ultimate Book of Everyday Knots](http://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Book-Everyday-Knots/dp/1616085606/) which reference the ABoK frequently. I guess I’ll have to break down and get a copy. I just wish it wasn’t $50 (or more). ---
**Author:** ![standingwave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@standingwave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/standingwave)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2016, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-knot-do-you-use-to-tie-2-ropes-together/751201/26 "2016-04-05T22:23:02Z")
> [@Nars\_Glinley](#): > > **standingwave** probably meant [the Flemish or Figure 8 bend](http://www.animatedknots.com/fig8join/#ScrollPoint) that **CMC** linked to. That is correct. ---
**Author:** ![KCB615](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ea666f/32.png) [@KCB615](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KCB615)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2016, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-knot-do-you-use-to-tie-2-ropes-together/751201/27 "2016-04-06T01:36:04Z")
Figure 8 follow through for me as well. One of the few knots I can tie with gloves on, as well. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2016, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-knot-do-you-use-to-tie-2-ropes-together/751201/28 "2016-04-07T02:52:19Z")
The only knot I really remember is the square knot, so probably that one. I might try doubling it to give more failure points if I’m worried. And I always check to make sure I didn’t accidentally make a granny knot. I’m not sure what a thief’s not is, but since I check it by seeing if it comes undone, I assume I check for that, too. People say it’s insecure, but they don’t say why. And I don’t really do anything that needs all that much security. If I’m making a knot, I want to be able to undo it without cutting it. I also use a modified square knot to tie my shoes. The only difference is the loops. ---
**Author:** ![standingwave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@standingwave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/standingwave)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2016, 8:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-knot-do-you-use-to-tie-2-ropes-together/751201/29 "2016-04-07T08:42:14Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > The only knot I really remember is the square knot, so probably that one. I might try doubling it to give more failure points if I’m worried. And I always check to make sure I didn’t accidentally make a granny knot. I’m not sure what a thief’s not is, but since I check it by seeing if it comes undone, I assume I check for that, too. > > People say it’s insecure, but they don’t say why. And I don’t really do anything that needs all that much security. If I’m making a knot, I want to be able to undo it without cutting it. > > I also use a modified square knot to tie my shoes. The only difference is the loops. I trust it for my shoes, too. Still… Caution: This picture demonstrates how even a “Stack” of Square Knots can capsize and pull undone. These photographs were created by pulling on the ends of the red rope. \*\* “_There have probably been more lives lost as a result of using a Square Knot as a bend (to tie two ropes together) than from the failure of any other half dozen knots combined._” \*\*(ABOKpage 258). Never use it for critical loads. > **[Square Knot](https://www.animatedknots.com/square-knot)** > > The Square Knot (Reef Knot) is usually learned when we tie our shoelaces. Admittedly it is usually a bow that we tie - but the underlying knot is a Square Knot. ---
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2016, 10:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-knot-do-you-use-to-tie-2-ropes-together/751201/30 "2016-04-07T10:36:52Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > The only knot I really remember is the square knot, so probably that one. I might try doubling it to give more failure points if I’m worried. And I always check to make sure I didn’t accidentally make a granny knot. I’m not sure what a thief’s not is, but since I check it by seeing if it comes undone, I assume I check for that, too. > > People say it’s insecure, but they don’t say why. And I don’t really do anything that needs all that much security. If I’m making a knot, I want to be able to undo it without cutting it. > > I also use a modified square knot to tie my shoes. The only difference is the loops. A thief knot looks exactly like a square knot but the short ends are on opposite sides of the knot. ---
**Author:** ![BobArrgh](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobarrgh/32/2881_2.png) [@BobArrgh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobArrgh)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2016, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-knot-do-you-use-to-tie-2-ropes-together/751201/31 "2016-04-07T11:52:01Z")
I have to say that the Animated Knots website may be just about a big of a time sucker as TV Tropes! ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2016, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-knot-do-you-use-to-tie-2-ropes-together/751201/32 "2016-04-07T13:02:41Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > Baah, joining two ropes is what splicing is for… Will a knot pass through a block or pulley? ---
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2016, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-knot-do-you-use-to-tie-2-ropes-together/751201/33 "2016-04-07T13:14:07Z")
> [@BobArrgh](#): > > I have to say that the Animated Knots website may be just about a big of a time sucker as TV Tropes! For $4.99, you can download the app. ---
**Author:** ![Norse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a9adbd/32.png) [@Norse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Norse)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2016, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-knot-do-you-use-to-tie-2-ropes-together/751201/34 "2016-04-07T16:23:02Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > Will a knot pass through a block or pulley? No. For that you’d use a [long splice](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sN-cnO8Fqrc). Even the standard short splice will usually have problems passing through a block or a pulley. ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2016, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-knot-do-you-use-to-tie-2-ropes-together/751201/35 "2016-04-07T16:41:44Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > And I don’t really do anything that needs all that much security. If I’m making a knot, I want to be able to undo it without cutting it. Security refers to a knot’s tendency to stay intact while in service (usually, while under load). It’s not the same as whether the knot is easy to untie. The aforementioned Carrick bend is one example of a very secure knot that is also reliably easy to untie. In contrast, a Granny is a knot that’s insecure (it can slip under load) but also can be hard to untie after it’s been loaded. > [@](#): > > I also use a modified square knot to tie my shoes. That’s a binding knot - a role for which a square knot is a good choice. ---
**Author:** ![Norse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a9adbd/32.png) [@Norse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Norse)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2016, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-knot-do-you-use-to-tie-2-ropes-together/751201/36 "2016-04-09T14:22:02Z")
Personally, I don’t see any need for more bends than the sheet bend (for ropes of different thickness), the fisherman’s or double fisherman’s (for braided or slippery synthetic ropes), the square knot (for temporary joins of ropes of similar thickness) and the short splice (for permanent joins of ropes of similar thickness). If I were climbing, I’d probably be using the double figure eight as well, but I don’t climb. IMO, if you know the square, the sheet, the double fisherman, the half hitch, the bowline, and the short and eye splice you cover 99.9% of what most people need to know about knots. ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2016, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-knot-do-you-use-to-tie-2-ropes-together/751201/37 "2016-04-09T15:25:39Z")
> [@Norse](#): > > … the sheet bend (for ropes of different thickness) … the square knot (for temporary joins of ropes of similar thickness) … Sheet bend works just fine on ropes of similar thickness, is easy to tie and untie, is secure and decently strong. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-knot-do-you-use-to-tie-2-ropes-together/751201.md?page=1)