The Ashley Book of Knots

Product Information

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 ] 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! 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

The illustrations are easy to follow and beautifully done. This is the definitive reference on the subject and well worth adding to ANY library, public, private, or personal. 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. 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.

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. I want to learn knots which are useful in general, while traveling, hiking also a bit at sea and perhaps also some surgical knots- but these are less important for now. 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 Ashley suffered a debilitating stroke the year after the book was published. [3] He was not able to produce an erratum nor oversee a corrected edition. 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.

Our runner-up is the Geoffrey Budworth knots book. With over 15,000 copies sold, a very high online rating, and tons of positive critiques behind it — you can hardly go wrong with this one. Many sailors, fishermen, campers, climbers, and hikers see it as a must-have guide for clear demonstrations of a collection of solid, useful knots. This book has them all from overhand, figure-of-eight, and crossing knots to bowline and sheet bends! Due to its scope and wide availability, The Ashley Book of Knots has become a significant reference work in the field of knotting. The numbers Ashley assigned to each knot can be used to unambiguously identify them. This helps to identify knots despite local colloquialisms or identification changes. Citations to Ashley numbers are usually in the form: " The Constrictor Knot (ABOK #1249)", "ABOK #1249", or even simply "#1249" if the context of the reference is clear or already established. [2] 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 a lovely book written by a lovely man who cared enough about the world to share this work, which took him at least eleven years to create. 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. Although Ashley was an esteemed painter, the cover illustration was painted by George Giguere. It shows a sailor displaying a Tom fool's knot. By the bestselling author of The Omnivore's Dilemma, this is Michael Pollan's ingenious companion book about the surprising and close relationship between people and plants. 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 Knotting Matters issues cited in the above Knot News article are: KM1, KM28, KM31, KM32, and KM33.

Budworth, Geoffrey (Autumn 1991). "Amending Ashley". Knotting Matters. London: International Guild of Knot Tyers (37): 26. ISSN 0959-2881.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.

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. 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. For an example see the footnotes in harness loop and butterfly loop articles. Additionally, this IGKT posting contains many verifiable examples. Remember that a book that’s “too easy” will leave you bored, while a book that’s “too complex” will leave you confused. So, the right knots book depends on your experience level. The Ashley Book of Knots is an encyclopedia of knots written and illustrated by the American sailor and artist Clifford W. Ashley. First published in 1944, it was the culmination of over 11 years of work. The book contains 3,857 numbered entries and approximately 7,000 illustrations. [1] The entries include knot instructions, uses, and some histories, categorized by type or function. It remains one of the most important and comprehensive books on knots.The original knot reference book, from the 1940s. This is probably the most important book on the subject, and has more knots listed than any other book.