The offset figure-eight bend is a poor knot that has been implicated in the deaths of several rock climbers.
The knot may capsize (invert) under load, as shown in the figure, and this can happen repeatedly.
Each inversion reduces the lengths of the tails. Once the tails are used up completely, the knot comes undone.
![Inverting offset figure-eight knot](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c6/Inverting_offset_figure-eight_knot.svg)
More secure knots for this purpose are the
Flemish bend
The Flemish bend, also known as a figure eight bend, a rewoven figure eight is a knot for joining two ropes of roughly similar size.
A loose figure-eight knot is tied in the end of one rope. The second rope is now threaded backwards parallel t ...
(the "figure eight bend"), (doubled)
offset overhand bend, or
double fisherman's knot
The double fisherman's knot or grapevine knot is a bend. This knot and the triple fisherman's knot are the variations used most often in climbing, arboriculture, and search and rescue. The knot is formed by tying a double overhand knot, in its ...
.
See also
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List of knots
This list of knots includes many alternative names for common knots and lashings. Knot names have evolved over time, and there are many conflicting or confusing naming issues. The overhand knot, for example, is also known as the thumb knot. The ...
References
Knots
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