A good knot:
- Solves a problem
- Is easy to remember
- Is easy to tie
- Is easy to check
- Is strong (causes as little reduction in the strength of the rope as possible)
- Is secure (doesn’t come undone when you don’t want it to)
- Doesn’t jam (doesn’t become extremely difficult to untie after being put under strain)
- Is easy to undo (the rope can be returned to its un-knotted state and be ready to use quickly)
- Has something about it that you like (the method of tying it, the satisfaction of using it, an appealing symmetry, a story behind it)
With a couple of tweaks, this checklist is helpful for choosing (or making) any tool at home or at work.