Figure 8 knot and double 8 knot

I will show you how to tie a figure 8 knot and a figure 8 follow through.

Step 1 Starting the knot

This is a simple knot, so just follow the pictures.

Comments

[syco123]

As a climbing instructor I feel obliged to make this post. I certainly don't mean to cause offense. I imagine a few climbers may end up here to the this being a very commonly used knot in climbing

You should NEVER tie a figure 8 in tape or slings particularly if you intend to rock climb with it or subject it to any critical load. It is not an acceptable knot for tape!! For tape only ever use a water knot (aka tape knot or re-woven hitch). Friction is you friend and the reason knots hold, but too much may cause failure. It's also the reason you don't use this in tape, as you will not generate enough friction for the knot to hold.

The double fig 8 is the standard climbing tie in knot these days. After tieing it's important to hold the knot with one hand and pull each tail in independently (not 2 at a time). Even experienced climbers make that mistake and are usually open mouthed when you show how much slack is still in the system. If you don't synch it right, the result is unwanted slack in the knot that is taken up when the know comes under load in a fall. As this knot tightens you can have moving nylon running over load bearing static nylon. So the that means way high friction in all the wrong places and the potential for failure.

When you're done flip the knot over and make sure one line doesn't cross the other. The two should be parallel throughout. This provides maximum contact and so lots of good friction, preventing slipping and preventing the friction from generating enough heat to melt the rope.

This is a very safe knot when tied right but it loses a lot of its potential safety when done wrong.

[fresub]

OMG! This step is radically different from the previous step. I couldn't follow aanymore - giving up!

[jonathan111]

Look at the pictures below; the four right below the actual pictures. Shouldn't be hard.

[SicilianMafia]

Should've used a bigger and thicker rope to demonstrate this, or any, knot. I personally love the figure 8 knot 'cuz it's saved my butt many a times while climbing. A tip for further knot 'ibles you may make....use bigger or thicker rope....like a climbing rope or even paracord would do just fine. Good job on the instructable though!

[GorillazMiko]

these knots are so hard to do :-( but cool instructable

[canida]

Nice job!

Many climbing gyms make you demonstrate this knot before climbing on their equipment- it's a very useful tutorial.