Knots and Splices [Illustrated] [Paperback]

Steve Judkins (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 11, 1998

Even those who have difficulty tying their shoes will be able to tie Turk's heads when they follow the clear illlustrations and concise instructions given in this new book. Dozens of the most frequently used knots have been selected and explained, including reef knots, sheet bends, figure eights and more. Each knot's strengths and weaknesses are discussed and the reader will gain the important ability to select the right knot for the right situation.

Editorial Reviews

Review

[This] latest offering sets out to give only as much information as you actually need, rather than confusing you with knots you will probably never use.... All this is achieved with not many words but plenty of drawings....a very useful plain-talking book. -- Motor Boats Monthly, July 1998

From the Back Cover

This beautifully-illustrated and very popular book covers the commonly-used knots and splices. Now in colour, it clearly illustrates how to tie each knot through the use of clear sequential diagrams and a step-by-step approach.

Knots & Spices includes:

• the ten knots everyone should know
• many other useful knots
• splices and whippings
• how to choose the right rope for the job
• the use of each knot
• the benefits of each knot
• where special care is needed.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Sheridan House (August 11, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1574090127
• ISBN-13: 978-1574090123
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.5 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,159,145 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Reaches places where Ashleys never goes., April 14, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Knots & Splices (Paperback)

Fits in your pocket, unlike Ashleys which would make you lopsided if you had a pocket big enough. I have used it to teach Cub Scouts how to tie knots very sucessfully.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Pocket reference..., July 11, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Knots and Splices (Paperback)

Good reference without a lot of text or complexity. Illustrations cover the work quite well. A good, alternate reference that's affordable, too. A good book for any nautical library, or the outdoor enthusiast.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect designed to cover the topic..., February 19, 2007

By 

Thomas Duff "Duffbert" (Portland, OR United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Knots and Splices (Paperback)

I wasn't a Boy Scout growing up, nor did I do anything that required more than basic "tie your shoe" knowledge. But I've always been impressed when I watch sailors quickly and intuitively tie intricate knots that have specific uses. When I ran across the book Knots & Splices by Steve Judkins and Tim Davison, I wondered if it was possible to become somewhat more coordinated in this area. The answer is, yes I can!

Contents:
Terms; Tools of the trade; Choosing a rope
Ten Knots Everyone Should Know: Round turn & two half hitches; Clove hitch; Figure of eight; Reef knot; Bowline; Bowline on a bight; Sheet bend; Double sheet bend; Fisherman's bend/Anchor hitch; Rolling hitch
Other Useful Knots: Carrick bend; Sheepshank; Constrictor knot; Buntline hitch; Surgeon's knot; Alpine butterfly bend; Fisherman's knot/Englishman's knot; Cow hitch; Cow hitch round turn and Prusik knot; Timber hitch; Marlinespike hitch; Man harness knot/Artillery loop; Trucker's hitch/Dolly knot; Marling hitches; Coiling a rope; Turk's head
Splices & Whipping: Eye splice; Short splice; Eye in braid-on-braid rope; Eye in braid-on-3-strand rope; Common whipping; Sailmaker's whipping; Eat sealing the end of a synthetic rope

This is a really small book (64 pages), but the illustrations are clear and easy to follow. For single rope knots, the illustrations are big enough to follow the trail of the rope through each step. And on two-rope knots, the authors use different colored rope drawings to make it very easy to see what parts belong to which ropes. There are also small side notes that let the reader know which knots are easy or hard to undo, as well as which knots might fail under certain conditions. Using that information, you should be equipped with everything you need to decide whether or not a bowline would be a better choice than a rolling hitch for your particular needs.

An excellent little book, perfectly designed to address the topic...