Bowline ok to hang from?

[Otter1]

Using the 3/8" Kevlar muletape I posted about here:

https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...vlar-Mule-Tape

I plan to tie on to a short tree strap for a lightweight suspension. The Kevlar tape will attach to the CL on my hammock via J-bend or Becket hitch (whichever I feel like using at the time, and assuming I'm not using toggles - hey I like to use several suspensions ). The tape has a very loose weave (typical of muletape) and is narrow, so I don't really want to sew a loop on the end. Will it be safe to tie a Bowline in the end so I can larkshead it to the tree strap?

Thanks for your help!

[zukiguy]

I'd probably go with a figure-8 loop instead. This seems to be the go-to knot for climbers and other safety applications. A bowline can "roll over" or some similar term I've read. A climbing buddy of mine said the figure 8 is a symmetrical knot so it puts equal stresses on both sides too.

[Otter1]

I'd probably go with a figure-8 loop instead. This seems to be the go-to knot for climbers and other safety applications. A bowline can "roll over" or some similar term I've read. A climbing buddy of mine said the figure 8 is a symmetrical knot so it puts equal stresses on both sides too.

Thanks ... but which part of the figure 8 does the standing end pass thru when "larksheaded" to the strap?

[Monkeyboy42]

He's suggesting a figure 8 loop and not a regular figure 8. With the figure 8 loop you larkshead just like a bowline loop, or any other loop end.

The only issue with a figure 8 loop is that after it is loaded it can be almost impossible to remove the knot later. The issue with a bowline is that it can slip after it has been loaded, unloaded and reloaded. This can be solved with a half hitch, or preferably two, tied after the bowline.

Both knots maintain the strength of the original line really well. If I remember off hand they both are in the 70-80% range of the original strength. I seem to recall that the figure 8'beats the bowline by a little bit. Of course these numbers change slightly depending on the rope.

If I never wanted to untie the strap I'd probably do the figure 8 loop. If I wanted to get the strap back to an original untied state I'd use a bowline for this. For what it's worth, when I've done similar in the past I chose the figure 8 loop.

[Phantom Grappler]

And/or you can try alpine butterfly loop or hitch?!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Secondmouse]

Thanks ... but which part of the figure 8 does the standing end pass thru when "larksheaded" to the strap?

figure 8 on a bight. makes a loop at the end...

[blackbishop351]

Figure 8 follow-through or on a bight. I only trust climbing knots for hammocks.

[gmcttr]

You will have to experiment since we don't know how the slipperiness (or lack thereof) of the kevlar tape will react with knots.

I tend to agree with the recommendations for a figure 8 on a bight or the bowline with a safety knot or Yosemite tie-off....scroll down to see both....http://www.animatedknots.com/bowline...om#ScrollPoint

[somniferous]

Bowline would work fine. Figure 8 would be better but near impossible to untie once loaded. You could always attach the 2 straps with a bend as well.

[leiavoia]

For any flat-ish type thing like webbing, straps, etc, a figure-8 followthrough knot or a water knot ("overhand knot followthrough") work best. A bowline would be something you generally would tie with regular round cord.

I use a water knot to put loops on my webbing for indoor setups.

As somniferous mentioned, it's near impossible to untie, so this is really only for making fixed loops on the ends, not a adjustable solution.