Page 129 - Mario Bigon "The Morrow Guide to Knots"

CAPSIZING A
REEF KNOT

If greater strain is put on
one end of a reef knot
than on the other, it will
capsize into an easily
untied and insecure
formation. Capsized
reef knots have caused
a number of accidents.
which has given the
knot a bad name. It is
important that this knot
be used only for the
purposes for which it is
suited.
Method
The reef knot can be
capsized by taking one
of the ends and pulling
it in the opposite
direction from which it
came (1,2). The knot
slips and has no more
grip, so you need only
undo the end to untie
the knot (3).