#196245 - 02/21/10 12:03 AM
Re: Book of knots
[Re: Lqdtrance]
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Geezer in Chief
Geezer
Registered: 08/26/06
Posts: 7705
Loc: southern Cal
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My favorite, for technical applications pertaining to caving, SAR, and the like is "On Rope" by Bruce Smith and Allen Padgett, published by the National Speleological Society.
The classic nautical reference is Marlinspike Seamanship. I can't find my copy and I can't recall the author.but it is very comprehensive, especially if you want to rig a four masted schooner.
Any particular application that you had in mind? That would help us recommend the best reference.
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#196249 - 02/21/10 12:26 AM
Re: Book of knots
[Re: hikermor]
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Pooh-Bah
Registered: 09/01/07
Posts: 2432
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The great granddaddy of them all is "The Ashley Book of Knots" by Clifford W. Ashley. I have a copy and think anyone who seriously uses knots should at easy have easy access to a copy.
That said it is not necessarily the handiest book to learn knots from. Terminology is variable, knots, even quite familiar ones, are hard to look up because the names and designations are confusing. It is also fairly expensive at $65 list price. But it is considered to be the bible of knots and is considered a standard reference on the subject.
It is also a fun book to work your way through. I just nibble at it piecemeal but a friend spent a year's worth of late evenings and free time working his way through every knot and piece. He picked up a lot of hands-on experience and know-how. There are far worse ways of spending one's spare time.
The thing about knots is that pretty much everything anyone needs to do can be accomplished with far fewer than Ashley's 3900 knots. Most people on the street only know two or three. One of which is likely a false knot that just might get them killed if used in a critical situation.
But even professional sailors and mountaineers might only use six or seven knots regularly. Learn a half-dozen basic knots and learn to make them well and you have all you really need. Unless you just like learning new knots there isn't much need for a book.
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#196250 - 02/21/10 12:33 AM
Re: Book of knots
[Re: Lqdtrance]
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Geezer in Chief
Geezer
Registered: 08/26/06
Posts: 7705
Loc: southern Cal
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I think "On Rope" will be a pretty good start - be sure and get the revised, 1996, edition.
Learn a few knots well (so you can tie them blindfolded in a cold shower - I am not exaggerating),especially the figure eight and its variations, the bowline, and clove hitch.
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#196272 - 02/21/10 06:22 AM
Re: Book of knots
[Re: haertig]
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Addict
Registered: 03/10/03
Posts: 424
Loc: Michigan
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I too have the Ashley's Book of Knots and am quite proud of it.It was one of my first purchases after I got to my ship in the Navy.That book is worn,dogearred and stained.It still smells like deisel fuel(I was on a oil replenishment ship)and has been around the world with me.As Haertig said,it is not for beginers but I would still get one if I came across one.Items like these have a habit of going to the wayside.The knoledge and history in it are priceless!
BOATMAN John
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#196277 - 02/21/10 01:40 PM
Re: Book of knots
[Re: Lqdtrance]
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Geezer in Chief
Geezer
Registered: 08/26/06
Posts: 7705
Loc: southern Cal
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Just for basic knowledge. I am studying to be a wilderness guide. Not sure if I plan on Mountain climbing. I am certainly not familiar with your specific curriculum, but I would think that any wilderness guide course would cover the basics of rope use in mountaineering. Not that you are going to do long, exposed routes, but there are countless situations where the proper application of rope will enable a risky passage to be accomplished safely and securely. I would also suggest Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills, put out and revised by the [Seattle] Mountaineers since 1960. It is a classic. Besides the stuff on knots and rope handling, there are great chapters on wilderness travel, navigation, leadership, safety, weather, etc. The seventh edition is a bit pricey ($38) but it should be in your school's library.
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#196278 - 02/21/10 02:37 PM
Re: Book of knots
[Re: hikermor]
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Member
Registered: 05/25/04
Posts: 153
Loc: California
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I have been researching knots lately too. I don't have any book recommendations but check out the website Animated Knots by Grog. From what I have read over various forums and websites, the recommended knots to learn (for general purpose applications) are these: Square knot Bowline Two Half hitches Taut line Clove hitch Figure eight Sheet bend Prusik I want to stress that I'm not an expert at knots, these are simply the knots that I am working on learning myself. -Robert
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#196281 - 02/21/10 03:25 PM
Re: Book of knots
[Re: rbruce]
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Stranger
Registered: 01/23/08
Posts: 12
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As a good portable refrence, I like " The Handbook of Knots " by Des Pawson.
It is a good introduction to knot and line terminology, and contains enough knots to be useful, but not so many as to be overwhelming.
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If you can keep your head When others around you are losing theirs, then you must be the one with the axe.
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