A Figure-8 Bend is a strong, secure knot in JOINING two ropes together. Remember that the word “bend” in rope terminology means to join.
Pros:
Easier to untie than the Double Fisherman’s Bend.
Strong and reliable for ropes of the same diameter.
Cons:
While sufficient for knot security for joining two ropes together and even rappelling on them, the double-fisherman is “more” secure as it becomes tighter.
Not ideal for ropes with significant diameter differences or stiffness.
Caution:
Always inspect the knot for proper dressing and tensioning.
Canyoneering Usage Examples:
Joining two ropes for a rappel setup in situations where the ropes are the same diameter and flexibility
Tying together shorter rope segments for temporary canyoneering applications