As an electrician I have used the Icicle Hitch to pull wire. The standard method is starting with a clove hitch a foot or so back on the wire, or group of wires, followed by a series of half hitches working your way up to the end and finishing it off with a layer of electrical tape. The Icicle Hitch works great when you have to re-position the pulling rope on the wire to get another bite. I use the bowline quite often in the trade. Splicing an eye in three stranded rope is sometimes required on the job. I use many others for oddball things around the job site as well.