Handbook of Knots [Paperback]

Des Pawson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 15, 1998

This practical guide to tying more than 100 different kinds of knots features step-by-step, illustrated instructions for each knot, plus information about the construction, storage, maintenance, and usage of rope. 800 photos & illustrations. Charts .

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Who needs a whole book on knots? Campers, anglers, and weekend first mates to name a few, and they would be doing themselves a great favor checking out this wonderfully illustrated guide to knot tying. Need a secure loop tied in the middle of a rope during your next camping trip? Bowline on the Bight to the rescue. Lash a canoe firmly in place atop your car? A clove hitch, maybe, though the smart move is to add one more loop to create the nearly immovable constrictor knot. Each knot is presented with step-by-step photos and concise instructions, and even the novice will be able to whip out surgeon's knots and Italian hitches before they know it--as this reviewer can attest! The chapter on braiding will be especially appreciated by home crafters. A fine little book Brian McCombie

About the Author

Des Pawson has studied knots and rope work since he was seven. For more than 25 years he has run a rope working business and teaches and displays his skills at exhibitions, boat shows, and museums in the United States and Europe. He is a frequent contributor to magazines and newspapers, and is a cofounder of the International Guild of Knot Tyers. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: DK ADULT (March 15, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0789423952
• ISBN-13: 978-0789423955
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (48 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #992,943 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

152 of 152 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best of the smaller books on knots, November 16, 2000

By 

William J Roberts (Gainesville, FL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Handbook of Knots (Paperback)

I was truly surprised by Pawson's book. From the reviews of others, I was expecting a good deal, and hoped it would be as good as Morrow's Guide to Knots, but adding some information not included in that very good book. When the book arrived, it seemed so slim (actually 160 pages, however) and compact, I couldn't see how it could compare.

However, it's a marvel in presenting a wealth of information very clearly. I think it is considerably more informative than the Morrow book, and also gives clearer explanations and illustrations.

It has very many useful knots that Morrow and most other small books do not have, such as the Alpine Butterfly, Ashley's Bend, Buntline Hitch, and the Klemheist knot, gives good information on splicing that Morrow completely omits, and has a lot of useful tips everywhere. The illustrations are truly first rate.

I was surprised though at the omission of the tautline hitch or Tarbuck knot (either would have sufficed). Indeed there were no "ratcheting" loop knots given that slide open or closed to the degree desired, then locked -- a truly useful class of knot that shouldn't have been omitted. If another knot had to go to make room, the only two that could have gone, in my opinion, are the Jury Mast Knot and the Thief Knot. (Admittedly, the Thief Knot is interesting, and I guess that if you need the Jury Mast Knot, you REALLY need it. But that's not one person in 10,000 these days.)

Morrow's is probably more complete for the fisherman.

I highly recommended "The Handbook of Knots" as a first book on knots, and for most people it will really be all that they ever need, except for the sliding loop knot omission. But if you do need a sliding knot, the Tautline Hitch is actually a Rolling Hitch tied on its own standing part after looping around the object being hitched, so since the book gives the Rolling Hitch, if you know this relationship between the knots, then you're all set and probably won't ever really need another book.

Unless you become fascinated by the subject, in which case you'll need Ashley's book.

Overall, Pawson's book sets a new standard among the smaller, conveniently-sized, highly practical knot books.

58 of 60 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars good illustrations, but missing some important knots, June 26, 2006

By 

James A. Dees "Darkling Thrush" (Cascadia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Handbook of Knots: EXPANDED EDITION (Paperback)

Bought this book for my course library (I am a wilderness instructor for Outward Bound). Realized too late that it does not include the taut line hitch or the trucker's (wagoneer's) hitch, both of which we use a lot. I would have thought those would be included in any good knots book. Ultimately replaced it with "The Book of Knots: How to Tie 200 Practical Knots" by Budworth & Dalton. Good illustrations a better selection of knots.

27 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A perfect introduction to knots !, January 7, 2000

By 

Kent L. Estes "KLestes" (Greater Ozark, MS) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Handbook of Knots (Paperback)

For my first work, I started with Ashely's bible on knots.However, that was far and away too authoritative - with thousands ofknots at my disposal, I had no idea what the most important were.

I needed a succinct introduction.

Pawson delivers just that. A "fine little book" it is indeed - yet in this modest, superbly illustrated volume lurk about one hundred important knots - most are very useful, some are decorative, and all are rewarding.

If Ashely's work is the college of knot tying, this would be my vote for the textbook for "Knots 101 - the adventure begins !" END