Page 21 - Backpacker Magazine's Outdoor Knots

sheeT Bend

Closely related to the square knot, the sheet bend is
one of the oldest known knots, dating back at least
9,000 years. This is a good choice for joining two
ropes of different diameter: the greater the differ-
ence in rope size, the more secure the knot.
Theoretically, the sheet bend is more secure if
both working ends emerge on the same side of the
knot. In practice, the difference is minimal, and you
should choose a different knot when maximal secu-
rity is required. One option is to continue wrapping
the working end for an extra full turn around the bight
to make a double sheet bend.

1. start by making a bight in the larger diameter rope. It doesn’t
even have to be near an end.

Joining Knots (Bends) 9

BPM_OutdoorKnots_4pp.indd 9 8/30/10 2:38 PM