Figure-eight knot
Type of stopper knot used in sailing and climbing / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The figure-eight knot or figure-of-eight knot is a type of stopper knot. It is very important in both sailing and rock climbing as a method of stopping ropes from running out of retaining devices. Like the overhand knot, which will jam under strain, often requiring the rope to be cut, the figure-eight will also jam, but is usually more easily undone than the overhand knot.
The figure-eight or figure-of-eight knot is also called (in books) the Flemish knot. The name figure-of-eight knot appears in Lever's Sheet Anchor; or, a Key to Rigging (London, 1808). The word "of" is nowadays usually omitted. The knot is the sailor's common single-strand stopper knot and is tied in the ends of tackle falls and running rigging, unless the latter is fitted with monkey's tails. It is used about ship wherever a temporary stopper knot is required. The figure-eight is much easier to untie than the overhand, it does not have the same tendency to jam and so injure the fiber, and is larger, stronger, and equally secure.
This article needs additional citations for verification. (September 2014) |
Figure-eight knot | |
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Names | Figure-eight knot, figure-of-eight knot, Savoy knot, Flemish knot, double stopper |
Category | Stopper |
Efficiency | 80% |
Origin | Ancient |
Related | Stevedore knot, figure-eight loop, figure-eight follow through, directional figure eight |
Releasing | Jamming |
Typical use | General-purpose stopper knot. Replaces the common overhand knot in many uses. |
ABoK | #420 #520 #570 |
Conway Notation | 2 2 |
A/B notation | 41 |
Instructions |
The stevedore knot is the figure-eight knot with two half twists added before the end is finally stuck.