The difference between Moon Pies and Cheese Sandwiches, and the Origin of the MI Knot

[TC1]

I did some comparison testing of some single eye friction hitches to see which one works the best, i.e.,the easiest. I used the Blake's, a couple of Helicals, the MI, @jaredtritz the Bail Tail, and three variations of the Tail. I used a 16 strand rope in the traditional way, using the end of the rope to tie the hitch.
For me, the Blake's was the best, I'd forgotten how easy it works when the hitch and rope are the same diameter.
Next was a variation of what I think is Bob Thrun's variation of the standard helical, then Bob's was next. The placement of the stopper knot on these two determines how it grabs and slides.
The MI was hard to tend with a pulley under it, but was easy to break to descend.
The Bail Tail would only work easily if the tail just went under the top wrap.
The next two generated too much friction to easily function.
The last turned out to be a Blake's with the tail position not changing the performance, so I discarded that one.
View attachment 48361

I have not tried tending with a pulley. I do have a habit of checking the not regularly throughout the climb, but once I ascend with it, it remains tended. In the south, on hot summer days, climbing pines, I had a Blake's weld closed several times due to sap accumulation, at the friction point. When the sap cooled down it would just form a solid mass of "stuck". I haven't had that happen with this knot, and it holds on response as well. So I use it.
But it is appropriate for certain styles and gear combinations. Maybe the micro-pulley won't tend it uniformly without having to tweak it.