Which knot is designed to join two rope ends to form a secure bend?

• A. Square Knot
• B. Water Knot
• C. Figure Eight Bend
• D. Handcuff Knot

Answer: (C)

The important idea here is using a bend, which is a knot specifically for joining two rope ends. The figure eight bend fits this purpose best because tying a figure-eight in each end creates two stable, interlocking knots that hold together under load in any direction. This design distributes tension nicely and tends to resist slipping or jamming, making the connection reliable and easier to untie after the rope is loaded.

The other options aren’t as suitable for joining two rope ends. The square knot (reef knot) can slip or capsize when used as a bend, especially if the rope ends differ or are loaded unevenly. The water knot is intended for joining ends of flat webbing, not rope, so it isn’t ideal for rope-to-rope joins. The handcuff knot can work as a bend, but it’s more prone to jamming and can be harder to untie after loading.