In my opinion the four best options for finishing rope ends are:
Overhand knot
Open overhand knot
Thistle knot
Sailmakers whipping
The overhand knot is the simplest of options and easy to undo and retie if needed. It is also the most widely used method for finishing ropes and can be seen as the ‘traditional’ method.
The open overhand reduces the bulk of the overhand knot making it easier to pass under wraps and creates a knot less likely to come undone. It is an easy and quick knot to tie.
The thistle knot is the smallest stopper knot, is visually pleasing, and is completely secure, but it is fiddly to tie.
