The Morrow Guide to Knots (Paperback)

~ Mario Bigon (Author), Guido Regazzoni (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

For anyone who's ever despaired of making a bowline knot from instructions saying "dive into the bunny hole," or illustrations showing a plain line in figure 1, a completed knot in figure 4, and a bafflement of loops in between, here is a solution. Originally written in Italian but translated into English by Maria Piotrowska, the Morrow Guide discloses the secrets of knots for sailing, fishing, camping, and climbing, with clear instructions and 647 color photographs that take the mystery out of the swivel hitch, the grapevine knot, the knotted sheepshank, the Spanish bowline, the stopper knot, and 68 more.

Product Description

Here is an entirely different kind of knot book! For the first time, here are step-by-step instructions that take full advantage of color photography to teach the art of tying knots. Unlike illustrations in other books, these pictures show every step looking over the shoulder of the tier -- the way you see the knot as you make it. And when two or more ropes are involved, they are color coded so you can clearly tell them apart.

Included in addition are a section on decorative knots, a cross-reference list of the many applications of knots, and a detailed glossary. The Morrow Guide to Knots is a reliable and essential reference tool for all sportsmen and campers, homeowners, and youngsters as well.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Collins Reference (September 1, 1982)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688012264
• ISBN-13: 978-0688012267
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #65,787 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #8 in	Books > Outdoors & Nature > Outdoor Recreation > Sailing > Instructional
  #23 in	Books > Nonfiction > Transportation > Reference
  #24 in	Books > Nonfiction > Foreign Language Nonfiction > Italian

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Sailing Instructor's Choice of a Knot Book, July 26, 2000

By	Conrad B. Senior (Easton, CT United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The fastest way for a crewman on a sailboat to demonstrate his or her skills to a new skipper, or to fellow crew members onboard a yacht is to teach them the correct way to tie a knot or to teach them a useful new knot. Nothing builds credibility faster onboard a boat. Long ago I decided to be better at knots than anyone else I knew. It paid big dividends. This was my first choice for a knot book. It is the book I recommend to every one of my sailing students. You will need two 6' pieces of rope, of different thicknesses, a 20' or longer section for practice coiling line. Practice knots in front of your TV set during commercials. It won't take any time out of your life and you will improve. I still carry my original practice line--a 35' piece of 6 mm line, in my life jacket, which is always useful onboard. So, learn how to tie these knots consistently, and quickly--even with your eyes closed. While you do it keep in mind anything you tie should be easy to untie. The only thing I did not like was author's method for coiling and crowning line. It is pretty, but too cumbersome to untie.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent presentation of very useful knots, June 6, 2001

By	A Customer - See all my reviews

This is very instructive book that shows with clear photographs and concise but clear explanations how to tie mostly basic but useful knots. The sections are divided in utility knots, knots for the fisherman and decorative and applied knots. Particularly practical is the section of knots for the fisherman, with knots that will solve any fisherman emergency from knots for eye hooks to knots used to join two pieces of line.

Beginning with an explanation of how to take care of the ropes and some interesting behavioral facts about knots like: that a knot uniting two ropes reduces the strength of the unit to about half that of the weaker rope. The authors present each knot with a short description and practical recommendations for their use.

The instructive value of this book is shown in the simple fact that when for tying a knot there is more than one rope involved each rope has a different color avoiding in this way any possible confusion.

I really enjoyed the book, without any doubt this book would be of invaluable help and necessary reference for any camper, fisherman or sailing enthusiast. So just practice, and become an expert in those four or five knots that will let you overcome any emergency, remembering that a knot must be an element of safety rather than a dangerous complication.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent general knot book for climbing, hiking, & sailing, March 21, 2002

By	Mike (Lansing, Michigan) - See all my reviews

Like many people, I just want to learn to tie a dozen or so knots that will be useful to know in particular situations. I do a lot of hiking and I own horses, so getting to know some good knots beside the "double granny" would be a useful thing. I first checked my university library and checked out several books including Ashley and Eric Fry among others. Ashley is a great book but a bit too much information and not the book for learning HOW to tie knots. Fry's book is similar to the format of this book, but a good majority of the "knots" are actually splices and eyes (unwinding fiber rope to form an eye onto itself or splicing 2 lines together) and decorative-type knots for macrame - neither thing I need to know right now.

The Morrow book is a good, general knot book for climbing, camping and sailing. Often there are several different ways shown to tie the same knot depending on the situation (line under strain, two handed, one handed, around a post, dropped on a post) or differently by another method. Illustrations are step-by-step and easy to follow with color coded rope. Inexplicably, some knots are shown tied with green and red rope, so color-blind people beware. Also, upon preliminary examination I noted that the tautline hitch (invaluable to keep a tent guyline taut) is missing. But between this book and some web resources, you will be all set. So, grab about 10 ft of a couple different diameter 6mm or smaller scraps (if no scraps, they are about a buck each) from your local outdoor store, keep them handy, and practice, practice, practice!