Who uses which knot for what?
Bowline: I use a bowline whenever I need a temporary loop that will not slip. As everybody says, it's one of the most all-around useful knots to know. I use the rabbit-and-hole method of tying. The trick is to make sure the tree is behind the hole.
Two-half-hitches: I use this knot sometimes when tying a line to a post (mooring a boat to a piling)
for a short period of time. It works best if there is constant tension on the line. Otherwise, it will eventually work itself loose.
Cleat hitch: Of course, I use this to make a line fast to a cleat.
Rolling hitch: I've seen different knots called the rolling hitch. I use it only infrequently - usually only when towing multiple small boats. I'll drag one tow line behind, and have each of the small boats tie their painters to that line with a rolling hitch.
Sheet bend: This knot is superior in almost every respect to the reef knot (but not as good as the carrick bend). It works well for bending together two lines of different diameter. Be careful to tie it correctly, as it will spill if tied wrong.
Reef knot: Never, ever use a reef knot to bend two lines together unless you simply don't care much about them. A sheet bend is much stronger and more secure. A reef knot does work pretty well for tying a string around something, though - so it works for reefing sails. A slipped reef knot is typically just the thing in that case. A double-slipped reef knot (aka bow knot) is good for tying shoes
. Take care to avoid the granny knot as it is not secure, and can be very difficult to untie.
Figure eight knot: This is typically my stopper knot of choice. Tie it in the end of any line you don't want to slip through an eye. It is compact, holds well, is easy to tie, and easy to untie.
Constrictor knot: The constrictor knot is a neat little knot. It gets tighter the more you pull on it and does not come loose.
DO NOT EVER TIE IT AROUND ANY PART OF YOUR BODY! It works best in string. I use it to start off simple whippings and permanent lashings. I also use it to keep twisted lines from unraveling when splicing.
Bowline on a bight: I use this rarely, only when I need a slip-free loop in the middle of a line.
Anchor bend: This is not what I was taught as an anchor bend. I would not use the pictured knot at all. If you do, it will come undone and you will lose your anchor. I use an anchor bend (or similar knot) to bend a line to a ring. It has the advantage of reducing chafe.
Eye splice: I use this as a permanent loop in the end of a line.
Trucker's hitch: I have not had occasion to use this knot. I usually tie down tarps with a bowline in one end of the line, running the end through the loop to cinch it down, and then secure with a taut-line hitch.
Carrick bend: This is a great knot. I use it to bend two lines together. It is very strong and secure but easy to untie. It collapses into two bowline knots (each around the other) when pulled taut.
Clove hitch: When mooring for brief periods of time, I'll drop a clove hitch over the top of a piling. I also use it to begin a temporary lashing. It should be kept under constant tension or it will work loose.
Taut-line hitch: Not shown, but very useful. It allows you to tie an eye loosely and then cinch it up. It works well for temporary guy-lines and tie-downs.
Well, that's what I use them for, anyway.
Regards,
Eric