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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JR1427 3 hours ago | parent | next [-]

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.

	▲	3form 3 hours ago \| parent [-]
		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).

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dd8601fn 2 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

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.

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washbasin 2 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

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!")

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derwiki 3 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

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

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mprovost 2 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

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

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derwiki 3 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

And figure 8 retrace, a staple climbing knot

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JR1427 2 hours ago | parent [-]

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

	▲	istjohn 10 minutes ago \| parent [-]
		Bowline isn't great for safety-critical applications, especially when not under constant load.