Figure-eight knot
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.
— The Ashley Book of Knots
| Figure-eight knot | |
|---|---|
| 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.