What is the best knot for bending together two lines around a capstan or winch drum?

The Reeving Line Bend is the optimal choice for bending two lines together around a capstan or winch drum due to its design and functionality. This knot is specifically engineered for situations where lines need to be securely joined while allowing for movement and tension. The Reeving Line Bend creates a strong and reliable connection that can handle the dynamic forces experienced during hauling or lowering operations, making it particularly effective in marine settings.

Its structure enables the knot to maintain its integrity under load, which is crucial when working with capstans and winches that exert substantial pulling force. Additionally, the Reeving Line Bend is easier to untie after being loaded compared to many other knots, which is beneficial in situations where you may need to release the lines quickly.

The other knots have their specific uses but do not provide the same level of security or ease of adjustment when applied to the conditions often found with capstans or winch drums. For instance, while the Double Bowline and the Clove Hitch are strong knots, they do not maintain the same connection reliability under the kind of loads typical in this context, and the Sheet Bend, although useful for connecting two lines of different sizes, is not specifically suited to the dynamic applications associated with capstans or winches