The bowline is a fantastic knot with many uses, it is especially good for tieing on with. Most people tie on using a figure of eight, probably because this was the way they first learnt. Also some people don't trust the bowline because it can theoretically slip into a slipknot, although if tied properly in conjunction with a stopper knot this cannot happen.

The bowline is very versitile, and can be used for thousands of uses, from equalising belays to even tying harnesses.