Number of crossings tends to help (by spreading the friction around, though still not evenly). And I think people don't tend to consider just how much having an

Number of crossings tends to help (by spreading the friction around, though still not evenly). And I think people don't tend to consider just how much having any knot will weaken a rope - the basic overhand more than halves the strength[1]. 1: https://igkt-solent.co.uk/knot-strength-chart/ https://igkt-solent.co.uk/knot-strength-chart/