icon will take you to Amazon.com, where you
may read further reviews, or buy the book. If you buy
through this link, all generated referral fees are
automatically sent to a scholarship fund for scouts to
attend summer camp.
Ashley, Clifford, The Ashley
book of KNOTS. New York: Doubleday,
1944.
8.5x11", Hardbound, 620 pages, ISBN 0-385-04025-3. This is
THE Bible for knot-tyers. Most references to knots just
give their Ashley number, and to claim an original knot, it is
almost sufficient to show that it is not in Ashley. Having said
that, I find this a difficult book to learn from. Get it as a
reference, but pick up some of the others to teach you to
tie.
Budworth, Geoffrey, The
Complete Book of Knots. New York: The Lyons Press,
1997
7.75x10.375", Paper, 160 pages, ISBN 1-55821-632-4. Budworth's
illustrations are drawn, not photographed, and I find them
particularly easy to learn from. This book has a great
collection of knots in categories of Boating and sailing,
outdoor pursuits, caving and climbing, angling and fishing, and
home and house, though there is, of course, a lot of overlap.
Outside of decorative knots which are not covered here, this is
an excellent introduction to knotting.
Budworth, Geoffrey, The
Complete Book of Decorative Knots. New York: The Lyons
Press, 1998
7.75x10.375", Paper, 160 pages, ISBN 1-55821-791-6. This is
Budworth's companion to The Complete Book of Knots,
covering decorative knotting including Lanyard knots, button
knots, globe knots, Turk's Heads, Mats, Hitching, and Plaiting.
I learned most of the Turks Heads I know from this book, and
would recommend it for that section alone. Illustrations are
again drawn, but very clear.
Budworth, Geoffrey, The
Complete Book of Sailing Knots. New York: The Lyons Press,
1998
7.75x10.375", Paper, 144 pages, ISBN 1-58574-067-5. Another in
Budworth's series, This book has a lot of overlap with the
other two "Complete" books, concentrating on sailing. Since
these tend to be the most useful types of knots for scouting
work also, this is a good alternative to the other two books if
you only want to pick up one. Two simple Turk's Heads are
included, as well as the gamut of useful knots.
Budworth, Geoffrey, The
Ultimate Encyclopedia of Knots and Ropework. New York:
Lorenz Books, 1999
9.5x12", Hardcover, 256 pages, ISBN 1-85967-911-0. This is a
mammoth, gorgeous, beautifully illustrated coffee-table style
book. Each knot gets a page or more to itself, with multiple
photographs of an almost artistic quality. This is a fun book,
and it actually can teach you knots, too!
Budworth, Geoffrey, Challenging
Knots. New York: Lorenz Books, 2000
6.875x9", Flex Binding, 128 pages, ISBN 0-7548-0512-3. I admit
to being quite disappointed when I received this book,
expecting something along the lines of the "Complete" series,
but with more complicated knots. It is not that at all. What it
is, is a stripped down version of The Ultimate Encyclopedia
of Knots and Ropework, reduced to a handbook size. Same
great illustrations and photographs, but in a size that can be
easily packed along. I would put it in the same class as
Pawson's The Handbook of Knots, and in fact, these two
books usually are packed along in my rope and knotting bag. I
would like to see Budworth write a book of challenging knots,
but in retrospect I'm glad to have this version of "Ultimate"
on the slimfast plan.
Graumont, Raoul and John Hensel,
Encyclopedia of Knots and Fancy Ropework. Centreville
Maryland: Cornell Maritime Press,
1939,1942,1943,1952
7.5x10", Hardback, 689 pages, ISBN 0-87033-021-7. While this
book does cover simple knots, it's main strength is in
illustrating some of the fanciest knotting you are ever likely
to see. It's a joy just to browse through the black and white
photos. I honestly can't say that I've tried to do any
of the fancy knotting here, and the instructions are pretty
sparse, but it is a great encyclopedia.
Hensel, John J., The Book of
Ornamental Knots. Centreville, Maryland: Cornell Maritime
Press, 1973
7x10", Paper, 176 pages, ISBN 0-87033-410-7. A step or two
more complex than Owen's book, this starts with the basic
Carrick Bend, and advances to all sorts of mats and decorative
knots based on it. The illustrations are clear black and white
photos, and enticing enough that you will want to try some of
these knots.
Owen, Peter, The Book of
Decorative Knots. New York: Lyons & Burford,
1994
5.5x8.25", Paper, 139 pages, ISBN 1-55821-304-X. I admit to
being intrigued by, but not very proficient at, decorative
knots. This little book is a good introduction to this art,
illustrating some 50 knots or so. The illustrations are simple
line drawings, but really very clear. I suspect real decorative
knotters would find it simplistic, but it is a good place to
start.
Pawson, Des, The Handbook of
Knots. New York: DK Publishing, Inc, 1998
5x8.75", Flex Binding, 160 pages, ISBN 0-7894-2395-2. This is
probably my favorite knot handbook. Pawson's illustrations are
very clear and explanatory, and there is an excellent balance
of knots for all uses. Whether you are interested in lashing,
decorative knots, turksheads, fishing knots, splicing, or
utility knots for any purpose, they are probably here.
Pawson, Des, Pocket Guide to
Knots & Splices. Edison,NJ: Chartwell Books, Inc,
2001
6.78x5.86", Hardbound, 256 pages, ISBN 0-7858-1446-9. If the
preceeding book is my favorite, this new release is closing
fast. Not intended as a complete compendium, it has excellent
color photograph illustrations of a wide range of useful knots,
and also covers lashings, whippings, and splices. The section
on Turksheads, in particular, is more complete than most books.
The directions are clear, and the book is in every respect up
to his preceeding standard. While there are some knots I wish
were included (ie tautline or midshipman's hitch), and some are
that I don't want to hear any more about (granny), there also
knots new to me. Add in the cost, $10.00 for a small 256
hardbound pages, with lots of color photos, and this book is a
real value.
Regazzoni, Guido & Mario
Bigon, The Morrow Guide to Knots. New York: William
Morrow & Co., 1982
5x7.5", Paper, 255 pages, ISBN 0-688-01226-4. This is a great
little book, showing most of the standard knots, well
illustrated. It also shows some knots you won't find elsewhere,
and alternative ways for tying such standards as the bowline. I
like this one a lot.
Smith, Hervey Garrett, The
Marlinspike Sailor. Camden, Maine: International Marine,
1960.
8.5x11", Paper, 131 pages, ISBN 0-07-059218-7. This one is
probably just for fun. It shows a few knots, but the real joy
of it is the projects from traditional sailing. If you are
interested in a ditty bag, a lanyard for a cannon, rope
fenders, a sea chest or many other items, here are detailed
instructions for making them in a traditional way. Along the
way you get a feel for the art of a sailor, which I fear will
soon be a thing of the past, but for people like Mr.
Smith.
That's my list, but I would love to receive suggestions for additions! Pick up a book or two, and learn some new skills. Remember, knotting ventured, knotting gained!
| If you just want to browse
through Amazon, please use
this link: 5% of all your purchases will still go to the camp scholarship fund. |
 |
If you reached this page from a link or search, you may get to my entire knotting site here.
| Last Updated 5 February 2002. | © 2002-2006 Alan L. Folsom, Jr. |