One thing I don't see mentioned in this all this discussion of neat knots is the impact of the different knots on the load capacity of the rope you are tying.

One thing I don't see mentioned in this all this discussion of neat knots is the impact of the different knots on the load capacity of the rope you are tying. For example while a bowline knot is easier to untie after having a heavy load placed on it, it weakens the rope more than a figure 8 knot.