Knot - Figure 8 on a Bight

Figure 8 on a Bight – Knot of the Week

This is a continuation of our “Knot of the Week” series. This week we’re focusing on “Figure 8 on a Bight”. This rock-climbing knot fits into the upcoming month’s Climbing and Repelling program feature.

Climbing Merit Badge

One of the requirements in the Scouts BSA Climbing Merit Badge is for the Scouts to demonstrate that they can tie 5 specific climbing-related knots, and give an example of how each one is used. One of those knots is “Figure 8 on a Bight”.

The program feature for the upcoming month of April is Climbing and Repelling. So, it seemed fitting to focus on the knots associated with the program feature and the related merit badge. For this week, we’re focusing on “Figure 8 on a Bight”.

When is it used?

Scouts can use this knot to attach a line to an anchor via a carabiner. It’s a quick knot to tie. This makes it a quick and easy knot for attaching a rope to climbing harnesses or other anchors.

How to tie a Figure 8 on a Bight

This knot is similar to the “Figure 8 Follow-Through”, which is used when you have to tie a knot around something. This knot only works when you can create the loop first. We’ll cover that version next week.

This is a simple knot to tie, and it is easily identifiable by the characteristic “Figure 8” in the knot.

The “bight” is the area where the rope will form a loop, which is where you start when tying this knot. Pinch off that area, and bring the bight over the rope to form a loop.

You then bring the bight under the rope, up, and then through the loop. After adjusting the strands to make sure they’re straight, pull the rope tight.

Check out the video below for a demonstration on how to tie this knot, and be sure to check out our other posts regarding knots.