Cordage has 1,001 uses around the prepper’s homestead and bug out location. And for the survivor, it’s even more important, ranking right up there with other critical supplies like a knife, a firesteel, and a container for purifying water.
Cordage can be used for securing a load or fashioning a backpack, for making a sleeping platform or snaring a meal. Yes, cordage is worth its weight in survival situations.
But you may find that the cordage available to you doesn’t quite suit your needs. Perhaps it’s too thick or too short.
To remedy that, you can unwind braided rope into some of its thinner strands and join them together lengthwise to create a longer piece. Or if you have several dissimilar ropes, you can make one longer rope.
To join ropes, you’ll need a good knot that’s easy to tie yet holds firm, especially when under load.
Say hello to the Sheet Bend. This knot can be used to join two ropes together even if their thicknesses differ widely.
How To Tie A Sheet Bend
Tying a Sheet Bend is pretty straightforward once you’ve learned it.
Step 1: Make a bend (U-shape) in one of the two ropes that are to be joined. If the ropes are of two different sizes, it’s best to begin with the thicker of the two ropes.
Step 2: Run the working end of the second rope through the bend from the bottom so that it passes inside the U-shape formed by the first rope.
Step 3: Pass the working end of the second rope over one side of the bend, behind the bend, and back over the second side of the bend.
Step 4: Slide the working end of the second rope back under itself
How To Tie A Double Sheet Bend
The Double Sheet Bend is, as you would expect, very similar to the original version. The primary difference is that the second rope wraps around the bend in the first rope two times rather than just once.
Step 1: Make a bend (U-shape) in one of the two ropes that are to be joined. If the ropes are of two different sizes, it’s best to begin with the thicker of the two ropes.
Step 2: Run the working end of the second rope through the bend from the bottom so that it passes inside the U-shape formed by the first rope.
Step 3: Pass the working end of the second rope over one side of the bend, behind the bend, and back over the second side of the bend.
Step 4: Slide the working end of the second rope back under itself
PreppingToSurvive.com 
December 8, 2011 at 10:14 am
Hi Joe – great knot on the second video. The first vid says, “This video is private,” when I clicked it.
I’ve never used this knot before and I’m looking forward to giving it a try.
December 8, 2011 at 10:20 am
Thanks, Jarhead. The first video should be available now.
The Sheet Bend is a good know for joining ropes of different types and sizes – far, far better than the standard square knot. Works best when it remains under tension, though. If you notice, the more tension it has, the more it clamps down on itself.
Joe