A New Knot ???

**Scottybdiving** · 10-19-2009, 15:01

I have noticed there are a few "knot experts" on this site. I am by no means an expert and can only remember a couple at a time without going back and reviewing. Sometimes I like to sit and practice tying knots while looking at some of the "knot websites". In doing so, I mistakenly tied a single loop knot that was both pleasing in appearance and symetrical. I have looked at a couple websites and talked to some knot enthusiast and have not found this anywhere. I can't say how usefule it is but it does seem to resist tighteneing somewhat. The key is in photo 3 where you make the 1/2 twist. If you keep the rope aligned precisely like the photos, it dresses real easy.

I am interested to see if anyone recognizes it or what your comments might be.

**Mustardman** · 10-19-2009, 15:09

Looks basically like a figure 8 on a bight with an extra loop to me. I can't see where it would add much to the standard figure 8, but I'm far from a knot expert.

**Hawk-eye** · 10-19-2009, 15:30

That's a good description of it ... but it's kinda "purty though"

**Rat** · 10-19-2009, 15:56

That is called a Figure Of Nine Knot, and is indeed a Figure of Eight with an extra turn (hence the nine) before the finish. Traditionally it is known as a Stevedore's Knot (stopper knot variant) or Stevedore's Loop (loop variant like you have here). It will bind just like a Figure of Eight and is considered a permanent loop. A Stevedore is a person who loads ships, longshoreman. I'm sorry, but I can't recall the ABoK reference right off.

**Heber** · 10-19-2009, 15:57

I believe that is a figure 8 loop. It's a rock climber's knot that's considered stronger than a bowline.

http://www.abc-of-rockclimbing.com/c...eight-loop.asp

Of course in rock climbing it's a bit harder to do because the loop has to go around your harness. So you do a figure 8, loop the end through your harness and take the end and follow it's own path backward.

**Hawk-eye** · 10-19-2009, 16:02

Originally Posted by Hogn8r

That is called a Figure Of Nine Knot, and is indeed a Figure of Eight with an extra turn (hence the nine) before the finish. Traditionally it is known as a Stevedore's Knot (stopper knot variant) or Stevedore's Loop (loop variant like you have here). It will bind just like a Figure of Eight and is considered a permanent loop. A Stevedore is a person who loads ships, longshoreman. I'm sorry, but I can't recall the ABoK reference right off.

Well geesh if you can't be more detailed than that ... why bother?

Good Lord pal ... you just laid it out pretty well! ha!

**Ekul** · 10-19-2009, 16:05

Originally Posted by Heber

I believe that is a figure 8 loop. It's a rock climber's knot that's considered stronger than a bowline.

http://www.abc-of-rockclimbing.com/c...eight-loop.asp

Of course in rock climbing it's a bit harder to do because the loop has to go around your harness. So you do a figure 8, loop the end through your harness and take the end and follow it's own path backward.

My initial reaction also but, I aint arguing with no sailor!

Its not that the bowline is stronger, its that you can untie a 8 easier once stressed. Bowlines in dynamic rope bite into itself hard and then you spend too much time trying to come off belay. Least that was my experience with figure 8s and climbing.

**Mustardman** · 10-19-2009, 16:28

Originally Posted by Ekul

Its not that the bowline is stronger, its that you can untie a 8 easier once stressed. Bowlines in dynamic rope bite into itself hard and then you spend too much time trying to come off belay. Least that was my experience with figure 8s and climbing.

I think you're a little mixed up there - the bowline is the easier one to untie. The disadvantage to the bowline is primarily that it's more difficult to visually inspect, so an incorrectly tied knot could be missed, and incorrectly tied bowlines have lead to a number of serious climbing accidents.

Figure 8's bind up like crazy and can be really tough to untie, but are easy to tie and easy to visually inspect. You can somewhat mitigate the binding of a figure 8 by giving it a Yosemite finish, which also redirects the extra strand so you don't have to tie a backup knot to keep it tidy. The Yosemite finish has its own downside, though, because an improperly wrapped Y.F. is equivalent to un-tying the last loop in the figure 8 follow through and could lead to knot failure.

**Rat** · 10-19-2009, 16:29

Found it, it is ABoK #456 and #522. I cheated I used Google, what am I supposed to do, I am at work!

Heber, the link you posted is the Figure of Eight Loop, but that is not what is pictured in the OP. And yes, the Figure Eight Loop is generally considered to be stronger (doesn't weaken the rope as much) as the Bowline.