How to tie both figure eight knots (IN TWO MINUTES)

The figure 8 is the most important knot there is for situations that matter. It doesn't fail or come undone, and it preserves rope strength under load. It is THE knot used by climbers. Learn how to tie this.

Three types of knots are explained here, but there's really only two: the figure 8, and the figure 8 on a bight. The third type is identical to the second, it's just tied in a way that allows it to be attached to a solid object, like a pole or a tree.

There are of course additional variations, and there are also faster/more efficient ways to make the knot in my opinion. However, this is a basic tutorial to help understand what the figure 8 family of knots is based around.

While rappelling, it might be tempting to just use the figure 8 on a bight at the end of your rope, and to then pass the rope around a tree and back through its loop, rather than learning to tie the knot in the last example. Don't do that; it weakens your rope by putting multiple steep angles in the knot. Sure, you'll get away with it, but it's bad form for repeated rappelling procedure. People do die from rappelling, you know. Lucky for me, I never did. That's partly because I knew my knots.

[pocketsquared]

Trying to finish an edit for tomorrow. A few cool ones on the way. This 2nd channel will remain active due to demand! I'm going to launch a funding project for it, so I can justify the time. Upcoming videos will explain. To those of you who would fund this strange type of entertainment, I wouldn't be able to thank you graciously enough. There's a certain guilt that goes along with not generating revenue for something like this, because it starts to feel like an unproductive waste of time. Monetary support will help legitimize the venture. Don't expect me to conform to any sort of standard, or to start bending to popular opinion, though. I will never dance for money.

[adamgabbert]

The only knot I use more than the figure eight with a bite, is a truckers hitch. I find it sad that knotting is becoming such a lost art. Awesome video, Pocket.

[trailtrashoutdoors]

New friends here from Trail Trash Outdoors! Thanks for sharing! You never know when you will need to up your knot game! Needed a refresher before we repel into a sinkhole to clean it out of all the trash that has been dumped in it!!

[CyrusSanders]

0:00 Basic Figure 8
0:31 Figure 8 on a bight
1:15 Doubled Figure 8
You did great! =D

[StripeyType]

These are some of my favorites. There was a time fifteen years ago when I had to be able to tie them underwater

[MrMagicBlox]

I try to watch your new videos 2-3 times hoping the extra views would help increase your revenue, but I am also happy to financially support you a bit as well as a way of showing my thanks for what you do

[JeremyCook]

I can tie that knot, but pretty sure my explanation would be much worst than that. Very well done. I keep kicking around the idea of a second channel for stuff like that, but, well you know, so much else to do!

[efbpdx]

I learn lots of stuff I never knew I was interested in from your videos. thanks.

[ryanthomas]

I learned the second way at my camp and I forgot how to start it because I was taught the first way. Thank you so much! Could not find any other video that showed the second way!

[MarCel-ihui]

You totally should do a tutorial about the most conventional sailor knots.

[RussellsWench]

Thank you. This helped me secure dog leads

[artconnolly]

I don't know very many knots at all but my favorite is the noose I use it for everything I can. lol Maybe you could do a real world knot video. for example show how to make it, then where it could be used in everyday life. just a thought :)

[rujackswing]

KISS>> Some Time the Military Instructors go out of their to make a Simple Knot Seem So Complicated.. Thank For Giving out the Elementary Version... peace..

[ElectraFlarefire]

Plus you can use the figure of eight in the bitter/end to join two ropes together.
I'll admit however I'm becoming much more fond of the alpine butterfly to secure two ropes together.
There is also a trick that I have trouble remembering that takes a slip knot and lets it collapse into a bowline. Allowing securing around a tree using a very short end.
But the one that made all the difference for me was the rolling hitch as it can be tied under tension!

[justaddfire]

Thanks i need to make bungees and ropes for double end bags👍🏻🥊

[Carpythesharky]

Just curious about some other advantages with the figure eight knot over a bowline for tying up to something like a post or tree. Are there certain situations where either a bowline or figure eight knot is not as strong as the other? Thanks!

[robotturkey]

I just got into rock climbing. I did a trip to Colorado that I don't ever seem to shut up about so when I came back I have been teaching folk how to belay and tie in and it is funny how many people can't seem to visualize the follow through figure 8

[DarknessLPs]

Any knot suggestions for pull string on Ethernet cable (essentially string around a slippery rope)? I have to run it all the time as part of my job and always end up taping the pull string to the cable.

[tacticalant]

I would say the best feature of the figure 8 is that it is fairly easy to untie even after stress has tightened it.

[Gunbudder]

you left out the fancy one handed figure eight. its not that useful, but its a good campfire party trick. its hard to explain through text, but you grab a big length of rope, one end in each hand. then you quickly cross your hands (without letting go of the rope) and you will see that the rope will spin on itself making a loop, then unspin back to normal. think of twirling a plastic back handle on your finger. the trick is, when you do this and the loop has twisted twice, you quickly throw one end through the loop. it takes some practice, but you can get pretty consistent at it. it also makes you look like a tool lol