There are just to many knots to know about, but which do the job while not being overly complicated and easy to tie and untie, the list will usually be some derivative of the most popular nautical and scouting knots.

While these are quite good, i am not satisfied. And new types of knots have been developed, that could prove very useful if put to use (like the Icicle Hitch and Adjustable Grip Hitch).

So i went ahead and studied different types of knots, both old and new, and started making notes on which is for what purpose best, and how good it is compared to equivalent ones.

Important thing that needed to be demonstrated are:

• The fewest number of knots that cover 90 % of usecases.
• Teaches the basics.
• Simple to teach.
• Reasonably easy to tie and untie.
• Hold stable on most types of rope.
• Can be used as the basis to learn more complex knots.

The first point ended up being the hardest. Each knot is on its own good, but to cover a this large amount of usecases was just unrealistic. Ended up iteratively studying different types of knots and playing around with them, assesing their qualities and properties. With each iteration (repeated or not), i got a better understanding of what knot will do the job. Ended up with a list of 7 knots, and went through many iterations, and its these 7 that stuck.

They are:

• Round Turn and Two Half Hitches
• Clove Hitch
• Square Knot
• Fishermen's Bend
• Adjustable Grip Hitch
• Bowline Knot
• Trucker's Hitch

They teach nearly all basic forms, lead to their more complex counterparts smoothly, and will work reliably without many hickups.

I am very proud to have managed to get this list created, and hope that it helps people in their pursuits.

The knots described

Round Turn and Two Half Hitches

A basic nautical hitch.

It teaches the round turn and its utility, the Half Hitch and what happens if you tie two Half Hitches one after another. Also, that the two Half Hitches make a stable tieoff.

Clove Hitch

A basic nautical hitch for being tied to a pole.

It teaches that the Half Hitches can have different configurations with abit of creativity.

Square Knot

A basic knot, that is also a tieoff.

Teaches the Half Knot, and what happens if two Half Knots are tied one after another.

Fishermens Knot

Basic bend for making slings or joining ropes of similar diameter.

Teaches the overhand knot, its use as a stopper knot, and what happens if two of such stopper knots are tied in opposing positions.

Adjustable Grip Hitch

Multipurpose adjustable endloop.

Uses the round turn to prepare the initial loop, before being finished off with a well-placed Half Hitch.

Bowline Knot

Fixed endloop.