When would you use a bowline instead of a figure 8 follow through?

A figure 8 follow through is what i use when i go rock climbing and is also easier to take apart a bowline i use for a rescue knot and for hanging my hammock it is all harder to take apart after being under stress
 
Have you all seen Grog's animated knot page. I used it to teach a search and rescue class, some students were having problems with knots, and the results were great. Seeing the knots being made was a great help to some./ Try it www.animatedknots.com

Hope this helps, Shane
 
zach225, How do you use the bowline for a hanging a hammock?

I have used a figure 9 on one end and then cinch it around the tree with a clove hitch.
 
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The only problem with figure 9 knot is that it takes way too much rope to make it.
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"too much rope" is a relative concept according to the length you have.

It is the chosen knot when the line is going to be loaded a lot for a long time (picture hauling bags while big wal climbing).
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I use it for tree climbing, i'm the load and i"m slow; thus the figure 9 may be a good choice!

I first started my knot tying because we had a small vessel... so I learnt about the bowline first. A few years later I started climbing and I quickly learnt the figure 8 follow through. I no longer use a bowline when someones life might depend on it. Do it wrong and the loop will untie when weighted. A number of accidents have happened among top notch climbers (even during comps) because they were using a bowline to tie ropes to their harnesses.
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Very true.

dantzk.
 
I like the bowline...there are a couple of ways to tie it and it's very fast.

I wouldn't use it for climbing, though, I also prefer the 8.
 
JackBauer24 said:
edit: after re-reading this post I feel I should add that I really don't know much about knots at all, just the basic stuff. Just my opinion and limited experience.

you'd use a becketbend to tie two ropes together. Figure 8 is safer than a bowline and is becoming the standard. Tying a non constricting loop is exactly what a figure 8 follow through is for.
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Hey JB, you really messed me up there. I'm a bit of a knot junkie but I never heard of a Becket bend before, so I had to do a search for it. It turns out I have done tons of them while net making. I know it as the Sheet Bend. See it here.

Doc
 
The sheet bend is tied in the bight of a line. The becket is the sheet bend in a fixed eye such as a splice or loop knot. Otherwise they are the exact same knot.

When I was commercial fishing we never used the bowline. If we needed a loop in the end of a line, we spliced it, or tied an overhand knot. It will never slip, but you need a knife to untie it. ;)

On the towboat I use the bowline more, when a leaving line is parted or stranded and I need a loop in one end fast, I'll tie the bowline. The strain of barges on the line again makes untying the bowline easier with a knife.

+1 on learning to tie knots one handed. When you need to you'll be glad you did :)
 
Pete1977 said:
The sheet bend is tied in the bight of a line. The becket is the sheet bend in a fixed eye such as a splice or loop knot. Otherwise they are the exact same knot.
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Well, so much for Wikipedia - something I've suspected for some time. :(

And Pete1977, thanks for straightening that out.

Just to be thorough, I checked with Ashley and Budworth and they both said, "Listen to Pete!" :D

Doc
 
Psy-ops: what are you using these knots for? That can make all the difference. They're both good knots, but the Double Bowline is easier to untie when loaded. I've seen people take major whippers (long falls when climbing) and have to cut themselves off of a Figure-8 Follow Through. You'll never have to worry about that with the Double Bowline.

As far as hanging a hammock I like the method used by Hennessy Hammocks:
http://hennessyhammock.com/setup.html
Look under "Recommended Lashing to Secure Webbing Straps." Fast and easy, and safe for the tree.
 
I am just practicing knots. I have know specific uses as of yet. I have been practicing the one handed bow-line and a bunch others.

I don't climb or sail but I tie off things every now and again.

Thanks for the link to the hammock lashing.
 
DOC-CANADA said:
Hey JB, you really messed me up there. I'm a bit of a knot junkie but I never heard of a Becket bend before, so I had to do a search for it. It turns out I have done tons of them while net making. I know it as the Sheet Bend. See it here.

Doc
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Ha. I'm no knot-spert, that's just how it's labeled in Essentials of Fire fighting 4.
 
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