More details about the The Figure 8 Follow Through
Uses: The Figure Eight Follow Through allows the simple and reliable figure eight loop to be tied to a ring, a carabiner, or your own harness. It is easily remembered, easily visualized, and easily checked.
Safety: For photography, this knot is shown above with a short tail end. For safety the end should be longer and, for load bearing, the end should be secured with a stopper knot around the standing end (see picture on right).
Variations: There are several variations but only the Loop Follow Through (above) is animated here. It is needed when securing a Figure Eight to a carabiner or ring.
The Figure Eight Loop (picture far right) is simple - tie it like a Figure 8 knot - but use a bight instead of the end.
The Directional Figure Eight (picture near right) is preferred when a figure eight loop is being created to take a load parallel to the rope.
Inspection: Ensure that there are two strands beside each other at each part of the knot. Some texts suggest ensuring a perfect, flat, knot with two strands lying parallel at each point. It does make a very attractive knot. In reality, however, it is impractical as the strands find their own position under load - and that is not "flat".