The only disadvantage over the bowline is that it's not as easy to 
open later, if you need to.  As far as attaching "something to 
something else", remember that in this case all we are talking about 
is forming a bight (loop) that will not slip.  The figure eight is 
used in this manner in climbing.  The "standard" way I've seen people 
do it is a little harder to explain.  You start by making two loops 
through both objects (snap and reel).  Then you tie a half hitch to 
hold the whole thing in place, tightening everything in the process. 
Next, you tie a square knot on the other side, capturing the two 
loops between the half hitch and the square knot.  Burn the ends.

The only problem with the square knot is that it's not as secure as a 
figure eight, but if you burn the ends it will work just fine.  The 
advantage of this method is that you can get the two objects really 
close together.  With a figure eight you'll need more slack to tie 
the knot.

Cheers.

John R. Strohm wrote:
~
>I've never seen a figure eight knot used to attach something to something
>else.  I've always seen it to make a "lump" in the end of a line, to keep it
>from slipping through e.g. a block (pulley).
>
>Any good boat store will have at least one good book on knots and their
>applications.  Best Publishing sells at least one, possibly two or three.
>Royce's "Sailing Illustrated" (a very old, very good book on all aspects of
>sailing and sailboats) had an excellent chapter on knots and appropriate
>applications.  The Boy Scout Handbook USED to have some very good
>information on the subject, but I haven't seen a Boy Scout Handbook in over
>twenty years.
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: erik tesnau <sumpcaver@wo*.at*.ne*>
>To: Christopher Brown <hokiediver@ya*.co*>; <techdiver@aquanaut.com>
>Sent: Saturday, October 27, 2001 11:30 AM
>Subject: Re: DIR knots
>
>
>>  Probably not DIR but here's what I use...
>>
>>  Figure eight.
>>
>>  Very fast to tie, secondary in strength only to figure nine.  You can tie
>>  the eight easily underwater even without seeing it.  It will not unravel
>or
>>  creep like other knots will.  If it does not look pretty and clean you did
>>  something wrong - retie it.  An added bonus is that it is easy to untie if
>>  needed, even after being loaded.  If you are uncomfortable with that, you
>>  can always back it up with a fishermans knot.
>>
>>  I rock climb and vertical cave and use several types of knots, this is one
>>  knot you can bet your life on.
>>
>>  There are a lot of knot sites on the web...
>>
>>  Erik
>>  sumpcaver@at*.ne*
>>
>>
>>
>>  > Can someone point me to the DIR knot for attaching
>>  > reels to its hardware (i.e. snaps)?  Maybe a picture
>>  > or a name of the knot?
>>  >
>>  >
>>  > Chris Brown
>>  > Suffolk, VA
>>  >
>>  > __________________________________________________
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Paul B.
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