The Ashley Book of Knots

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It also provides a sort of sociological insight into how people worked not so long ago, too, with knots specific to stevedores, teamsters, movers, bakers, fishermen and others who once depended on knots but to a great extent no longer do so. The Ashley Book of Knots includes almost everything there is to know about knots, each precisely named and classified (with some new knots officially listed for the first time in the original 1944 publication). Mr. Ashley describes when each knot initially appeared, something about their history, and what each knot is best used for. Featuring all the knots, hitches, bends, splices, whipping and decorative knotwork that you would find on a boat. This comprehensive bible of knots will help those who go to sea master every knot they will need. Over 200 knots are scored for strength, reliability, ease of tying (and untying) and usefulness. Step by step photographs shows how to tie each knot, and demonstrate how they can be used, such as in the rigging or for tying boats up. Knot tying is probably in no danger of disappearing, but certainly fewer people are learning to tie them. This book is an ode to mastery; that it is a mastery of an older form doesn't hurt it at all. Reprint with amendment of Geoffrey Budworth: The Ashley Book of Knots. With amendments of Geoffrey Budworth. Doubleday, New York 1993.

It is no longer the last word in knots, now that slippery, brittle materials with incredible tensile strength such as spectra (made of kevlar) exist. With a few exceptions, though, it is encyclopedic. Next up, we have a knots book that’s specifically geared towards complete beginners. Berndt Sundsten and Jan Jäger have emphasized how it’s a memorable experience for children when they first learn to tie their own shoes! Since the content is so beginner-friendly, it can easily double up as an artsy children’s book for your five– or ten-year-old (s). It’s a ton of fun and a lifetime of valuable skills! The definitive book on knots—including approximately 3,900 different kinds of knots, from simple hitches to “Marlingspike Seamanship," this book and a piece of cord will open a new and challenging world of practical adventure to readers of all ages. Warner, Charles; Turner, John (1996), Turner, J.C.; van de Griend, P. (eds.), History and Science of Knots, K&E Series on Knots and Everything, vol.11, Singapore: World Scientific Publishing, pp.22, 274–275, ISBN 981-02-2469-9 Budworth, Geoffrey (Autumn 1991). "Amending Ashley". Knotting Matters. London: International Guild of Knot Tyers (37): 26. ISSN 0959-2881.

This is the go-to reference for knots. It is the book that other books reference. The infamous Square Knot is frequently referred to as ABOK #1402 by other books. Almost any knot of antiquity can be found in this book. Schmidbauer, Joseph, ed. (September 1998), "The Ashley Book of Knots: Corrections and Observations", Knot News, International Guild of Knot Tyers - Pacific Americas Branch (13): 1–3 All sailors know the significance of knots in their day-to-day lives. Whether you operate a dinghy boat or a full-blown yacht, you can’t get by without tying things around to maintain your ship. This book aims to be all-inclusive for that demographic in particular. It guides them through the basic knots, useful hitches, canvas work, hand-sewing, and the art of splicing — all of which are key tools for any sailor. It would get five stars for the illustrations alone. It adds interest that it identifies dangerous variations of well known knots with a skull and crossbones! I wish more books would do that. The Knotting Matters issues cited in the above Knot News article are: KM1, KM28, KM31, KM32, and KM33.

In 1991, corrections submitted by the International Guild of Knot Tyers were incorporated. [5] [6] The original list of revisions submitted to the publisher is believed to have been lost, but many had been collected from a series of articles in Knotting Matters, the Guild's quarterly publication. [7] [8] Additional errors have been identified since the 1991 corrections. [9] Cultural references [ edit ] Clifford W. Ashley was born in 1881 at the whaling port of New Bedford, Massachusetts. He sailed on many kinds of boats in many capacities, from ship's surgeon to interested observer. His ruling passions were marine painting and knot-tying, on which he was one of the world's leading authorities. His paintings are represented in the permanent collection of many American museums and libraries. He spent six weeks on the whaling ship Sunbeam. During the voyage he witnessed the hunt and killing of three whales.

This is the definitive book on knots. Here are approximately 3900 different kinds, from simple hitches to “Marlinspike Seamanship.” Mr. Ashley has included almost everything there is to know about them. Precisely named and classified (some new ones for the first time officially), they can be easily found in the big index. He tells when they appeared, something about their history, and what they are good for. Budworth, Geoffrey, ed. (Spring 1985). "Profile of Knotsman Clifford W. Ashley". Knotting Matters. London: International Guild of Knot Tyers (11): 6–7. ISSN 0959-2881. The glimpse into the history that goes along with some of the knots adds even more value to the book. This is--of course--the bible of knot books. What it does not have is information about modern synthetic ropes and specialized knots that have been developed for them.