In reply to all:
[nb: "message contains words that are consdiered unsuitable..." ???? I don't see!? ]-:
The EDK (an Offset Water knot) has been used for ages w/o much trouble, so far as I'm aware.
But taking the Fig.8 bend into an offset orientation, also used by many, HAS resulted in some
accidents, even fatalities. An **offset** knot is favored because of its greatly improved flow
over edges & impediments on a rock surface; the EDK (Offset Ring Bend/OffsetW*terKnot) is
also quickly tied, compact, and readily untiable after loading by abseiling.
And, as a consequence of the EDK being asymmetric, it happens that it can work particularly
WELL with the sort of mis-matched, different-diameter ropes often seen in abseiling--e.g.,
one 10.2mm climbing rope paired with a 7mm haul line. Tie the knot such that the THINNER
rope is what makes the initial choke of the loaded parts.
There are some quite simple means to "backing up"/securing the Offset Water Knot:
tie the end of one rope around the other end, snug against the knot body (preferably, tie the
thinner end around the thicker, if different dia.s);
make an extra, full turn around the loaded ends with the rope that will first choke them,
before leading its end out in parallel with the other (this makes a Fig.9 knot in this rope).
These precautions remove the need for "leaving long ends"--a bit of advice that certainly goes
a way to making the EDK seem dubious! (-:
*kN*