Which knot is used to join two ropes of equal (or slightly unequal) diameter together for load bearing applications?

• A. Water Knot
• B. Double Fisherman's Knot
• C. Girth Hitch
• D. Figure Eight on a Bend

Answer: (B)

When two ropes need to be joined for load-bearing use, you want a knot that grips both ends securely and distributes the load evenly, even if the diameters aren’t identical. The Double Fisherman’s Knot does exactly that by tying two interlocking overhand knots around the other rope ends. This creates a strong, compact join that holds up well under tension, and it tolerates small diameter differences between the ropes. It’s a trusted standard in climbing and rescue for creating a reliable rope-to-rope junction or extending rope length. A common trade-off is that it can be stubborn to untie after heavy loading, but its strength under load makes it the best fit here.

The water knot isn’t suited for joining two separate ropes under load; it’s more for joining rope ends in webbing contexts or simple rope-end applications. The girth hitch is a simple loop around an object and isn’t a robust method for joining two rope ends for pulling loads. The figure eight on a bend is a solid bend, but for tying two ropes together under load, the Double Fisherman’s Knot provides greater security and reliability across equal or near-equal diameters.