Cons This knot is not as well known or as universally used as the figure eight--many climbers may not know how to check the bowline. Weidner says it also takes more time and expertise to visually ...

The figure eight follow-through has become the standard tie-in knot because it doesn't require a backup knot, it's easy to tie, and it's strong--it retains 75 to 80% of the rope's strength.