Interesting comment about the bowline. In the "old days" (1950-1960s) it was the preferred knot for tying in and for end loops in the climbing rope - later partially replaced by the figure eight, which has advantages. Good idea to learn them both thoroughly.

My go to knots are the square, slip, bowline, clove hitch and figure eight. I'm working on learning more but these five have served me well so far.

I'll tell you the one knot that I need to learn ... it's the knot that you use for tightening cargo. Imagine you've got some cargo in the bed of a truck, and you tie down with a rope. There's a special knot you can tie in the end of the rope - you just cinch it down and adjust the rope length - and it tightens automatically. That's a really nice knot - but I haven't seen it in any book. If someone knows a reference ... please post.

Pete2

Trucker Hitch
http://youtu.be/gcz-D0kxiwo

KISS, KISS, KISS.

Former climber, Army,....etc.

Water Knot
Butterfly
Trucker Hitch
ALL of the Figure-eights (on a bite, and follow thru(depending))
Fisherman's
Taughtline (also called Turtle??)

Munter/Italian hitches

I feel the Bowline is great but can be "mis tied" too easily by average Joe. Too many variants.....

Ironwood

Philippe Petite releases his new book " why Knot" Tuesday

I guess I am a moss-backed traditionalist. I have a great fondness for the bowline. The thing is to learn the asicknot thoroughly so you can tie it with your eyes shut, behind your back. Then start on the variants - the one i prefer is bowline on a bight, very useful for rigging, as in lifting a mammoth tusk - something I know we all do frequently.

I have read somewhere that there are fifty bowline variants. I know far fewer than that, the best of which is the double loop bowline - reputed even more secure than the basic knot.

Learn a few knots well and you will be fit to be tied.

Hikermor, I've heard that line before.

I also like the bowline. Any knot can be miss-tied.

We just got this in at work yesterday. I looked through it, and I have to say I'm impressed. It comes with a coil of nylon twine inside the cover, supposedly enough to practice every knot listed. I assume for some, you may either need smaller items for tying to, or your own longer piece (I can't open it, as it's merchandise).

Every knot has a story, description, very thorough written instructions, diagrams, and examples for practical use.

I may have to purchase one for further inspection.

ireckon, ironwood - thanks.
I'll check out that trucker hitch.

Pete2