Figure 9 on CRL with a bite?

[NickRP]

Quick question, does anyone create a "bite" in their figure nines? Below is the instructions they give for pulling tight and tighing off a line. but i tend to do it the second way (i know bad graphics, all we have is Paint at work). taking it through pull hook then back over the line (blue line wraps over red) then behind and into the teeth. this seems to reduce slipping. anyone else do this? will it weekend my my RL cord? or am i just crazy?

Edit: I use the figure 9's to attach RL to tree. set it up the wat the box said a few times but would start to slip over time. when i wrap it my way, it stays snug all night. I am using the REI generic guy line for ridge line btw.

[oldgringo]

I just got some TripTease, and a "9" won't hold it...I tried your way, and it still won't stick. What does work, however, is an additional round turn around the hook, before engaging the teeth.

[oldgringo]

[NickRP]

Not sure if what i have is triptease i think it was just random guy line but the way i do it holds well. but when i get home, ill give it a try.

[Dave41079]

I always put a slippery half hitch on after I run the line through the teeth. Do I need to? Probably not, but it's easy to do/undo and doesn't take THAT much longer.

[oldgringo]

I always put a slippery half hitch on after I run the line through the teeth. Do I need to? Probably not, but it's easy to do/undo and doesn't take THAT much longer.

I was doing that, until it dawned on me that I might as well use a loop of cord, and dispense with the nine altogether.

[ChrisH]

I do it the normal way but I go through the teeth twice. Go through once, loop it around and go through again. Pull down hard and it has held for me.

[Rug]

Good post, thanks.

A different question; are the 50lbs Fig.9 strong enough for a tarp RL?

[NickRP]

Ive got the small metal 9's (think 50lbs) and they work fine. plastic guys are on my guye lines.

[Raul Perez]

I use the plastic ones for 3 season and the metal ones for winter. I've heard of the plastic ones snapping in low temps (single digits and below)