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Comment by JR1427 | Hacker News Reader

Depends what you're doing.

My favourite knot is the bowline. Non-slip loop, very strong, easy to tie, easy to undo. Can be used for tying two ropes together, ropes to things.

Other useful ones (especially for sailing)

* Clove hitch * Reef knot * Rolling hitch * Sheet bend

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Knowing common knots is not just useful because they are handy, but they also represent a common toolkit - when sailing with someone, if I see they tie a certain thing with a specific knot, I can do likewise. When I see a knot I recognise, I immediately know how to untie and re-tie it.

Generally the same point about having a common vocabulary in tech work. Sometimes it's about stuff that's obvious to both parties in one way or another - but the name is what ties it together (heh).

I overuse the bowline. Never seizes, and it can be tied with one hand around your body (or anything else) very quickly.

I think that method was originally taught to me in scouts as an emergency body lift thing, though it would not actually be ideal for that.

The bowline works well in rope that isn't too stiff, but in kernmantle rope it can self-upset, which is why climbers long ago standardized on the double figure-eight loop for tie-in.

Tying a bowline is one of my fidgets. Also famously has a part in Jaws (1975), though not mentioned by name. ("Hey! I got it!")

I’d add tautline hitch, great to have an adjustable-but-holds-well knot to the repertoire!

Taut line is great, but I'm finding the Farrimond friction hitch is much more secure, and is already on a bite for quick release as an added bonus.

Oooh thank you! It is an excellent hitch!

The bowline is great because you can tie it one handed.

And figure 8 retrace, a staple climbing knot

I used to use that a lot, but now would favour bowline, for ease of tying and untying. Less beginner-friendly, though.

Bowline isn't great for safety-critical applications, especially when not under constant load.

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