Essential knots: which to know and why
Figure-eight, square knot, bowline: the few genuinely useful everyday knots, and what each one is for.
The square knot (reef knot)
For joining two ropes of the same diameter — note that it isn't reliable for heavy loads or critical use (climbing), where it can come undone under uneven tension.
The figure-eight knot
A sturdy stopper knot, easy to check visually and to untie even after being under load — widely used in climbing and sailing to stop a rope escaping a pulley or system.
The bowline
Creates a fixed loop that doesn't tighten under tension, unlike a simple slip knot — useful for securely attaching a rope to a fixed point, while staying easy to untie once tension is released.
| Knot | Main use | Easy to untie after tension? |
|---|---|---|
| Square knot | Joining two similar ropes | Yes |
| Figure-eight | Stopper knot, safety | Yes |
| Bowline | Strong fixed loop | Yes |
| Simple slip knot | Cinching around an object | No, tightens further |
For anything involving safety (climbing, suspending a heavy load, any context where failure would be dangerous), a knot learned alone from a reference sheet is never a substitute for supervised, hands-on training.
The simple overhand knot
The most basic knot: a single loop over itself, used to stop a rope fraying or slipping out of a hole — not strong enough to bear a load, but enough as a visual marker or a light stop.
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