Vertical caving terminology and methods > Knots > Common knots
Probably good but needs more testing
A knot tied on a bight. A variation of the directional figure of 8 which does not suffer from the risk of capsizing when the wrong tail is loaded, and can be used in all of the same situations that a directional figure of 8 might be used. Both tails can be loaded either individually, or together, such as when using it for a Y-hang. It does not have such a neat dressing, but is easier to intentionally untie after loading than a standard directional figure of 8. Significantly more resistant to cross loading than a directional figure of 8 as long as it has been set correctly. If forced to capsize that way (which is unlikely to happen naturally), it becomes a variation of the butterfly knot based on a noose version of the figure of 8 knot, instead of the usual overhand noose. As a result, even the capsized version of the knot normally remains relatively functional. This knot has not yet been properly tested for strength, but relies on the same basic structures as the directional figure of 8 and butterfly knot, and is likely to perform similarly to those. In limited personal testing (using thin cord), it performed as well as a figure of 8 on a bight no matter how it was loaded (loading either tail separately, or loading across both tails without loading the loop). The main limitation of the locked directional figure of 8 is that it is harder to adjust than the directional figure of 8. Created by adding a single hitch around the loop strands of a directional figure of 8, like the one used by a butterfly knot, creating a half hitch structure. The single hitch is then tucked into the knot to prevent it from distorting the knot when loaded, before the knot is set. Relies on the directional figure of 8 to be dressed correctly, in the format that allows it to be more easily untied, to allow the single hitch to be tucked into place.
<< Directional figure of 8, incomplete figure of 8 | Double loop figure of 8, double figure of 8 on a bight ("super 8" in USA) >>
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