Page 126 - The Pocket Guide to Outdoor Knots

The figure of eight layout is a versatile one for knot tying and, like the
ubiquitous overhand knot, appears repeatedly on the knotting scene. Cavers and

climbers prefer knots based upon it because they are more easily learned, tied in
all sorts of situations, (when there is the likelihood of other knots being done

wrongly due to fear or fatigue), and readily checked by team leaders.
In 1999 in England, the Surrey Branch of the International Guild of Knot

Tyers published what a consensus of its members considered were the six knots
that should be used with modern ropes. They were: the figure of eight; sheet

bend; bowline; constrictor; rolling hitch; and a round turn and two half-hitches.
All of these knots are featured in this book. While other knotting devotees might

discuss amiably all day whether or not they agreed with this selection, the Surrey
Branch went further and urged that the figure of eight knot (which can be

modified to act as a loop, bend, hitch and stopper knot) ought to be taught first of
all.