So my theory is, I can't remember more than one knot for each purpose, and I don't tie knots too often (except for fishing) so I want a handful of the most secure knots that are easy to remember and tie. Since I'm usually tying cord (or mono) which is pretty disposable, I don't care about ease of untying, or tying two ropes of very different diameters. And I'm not a climber so don't really care about ultimate strength, except for the fishing-specific knots.
Purpose -> knot:
Tie free end of rope to an object -> I think the
clove hitch slips too easily.
http://www.animatedknots.com/cloveboating/index.php?LogoImage=LogoGrog.jpg&Website=www.animatedknots.comknot.
The
round + half hitch is secure, and if concerned can simply add more rounds and more hitches.
http://www.animatedknots.com/roundturn/index.php?LogoImage=LogoGrog.jpg&Website=www.animatedknots.com
For slippery rope (like monofilament) then I learned the fisherman's
clinch knot.
http://www.animatedknots.com/improvedclinch/index.php?LogoImage=LogoGrog.jpg&Website=www.animatedknots.com
Tie free end of rope to an object and tighten it -> I think most people use the
tautline hitch?
http://www.animatedknots.com/rollinghitchboating/index.php?LogoImage=LogoGrog.jpg&Website=www.animatedknots.com
I like the
truckers hitch because of the leverage available to tension the line, then can pinch to maintain the tension as you finish off the knot.
http://www.animatedknots.com/truckers/index.php?LogoImage=LogoGrog.jpg&Website=www.animatedknots.com#SlipKnot
Make a non-constricting loop at free end of rope -> I guess most use the
bowline for this.
http://www.animatedknots.com/bowlineboating/index.php?LogoImage=LogoGrog.jpg&Website=www.animatedknots.com
I can never remember - the rabbit goes which way around the tree? So I just make a loop and tie a double overhand knot, which is a
surgeons loop. It ends up kind of crooked, though.
http://www.animatedknots.com/surgeonsloop/index.php?LogoImage=LogoGrog.jpg&Website=www.animatedknots.com#Overhand
Make a constricting loop at free end of rope -> I suppose easiest is just the
noose knot? I don't have much need for this.
http://www.animatedknots.com/truckers/index.php?LogoImage=LogoGrog.jpg&Website=www.animatedknots.com#SlipKnot
Make a non-constricting loop in the middle of a rope -> I just take a loop of the rope and tie it in an overhand knot. I see there is a better specific
dropper loop knot, but I can never remember it.
http://www.animatedknots.com/dropperloop/index.php?LogoImage=LogoGrog.jpg&Website=www.animatedknots.com
I hate casting droppers anyway.
The
alpine butterfly looks easy to learn, maybe I will try.
http://www.animatedknots.com/alpinebutterfly/index.php?LogoImage=LogoGrog.jpg&Website=www.animatedknots.com
Make a constricting loop at in the middle of a rope -> no idea. Maybe this is where you'd use a clove hitch.
Join free ends of two ropes - I think most use the
square knot for this, but I think it is not a secure knot. Especially with stiff/slippery nylon line. And, one mistake and you've made a
granny knot which is even worse.
http://www.animatedknots.com/reef/index.php?LogoImage=LogoGrog.jpg&Website=www.animatedknots.com
If the other end of one rope is also free, then can do the
surgeons knot. You can tie this one in the dark by touch alone.
http://www.animatedknots.com/surgeonsjoin/index.php?LogoImage=LogoGrog.jpg&Website=www.animatedknots.com#Overhand
Otherwise, I guess I'd fall back on a fishing knot of some sort, like the
blood knot.
http://www.animatedknots.com/bloodknot/index.php?LogoImage=LogoGrog.jpg&Website=www.animatedknots.com#Bachmann
Or the
fisherman's knot. Probably easier to tie than the blood knot.
http://www.animatedknots.com/doublefishermans/index.php?LogoImage=LogoGrog.jpg&Website=www.animatedknots.com