The ashley book of knots every practical knot what it looks like, who uses it, where it comes from, and how to tie it, with over 7,000 drawings representing 3900 knots. Prusik the prusik is a useful friction hitch that slides freely when not weighted, but bites down on the rope when you do weight it. Clifford ashley the ashley book of knots the most comprehensive resource for knots and ropework ever published. The book includes 4,000 knots, with all the varieties of shipboard knots as well as knots used by butchers, steeplejacks, electric linesmen, knitters, cobblers, surgeons, poachers and cowboys. His drawings abound in humo and the text is full of colorful anecdotes. First published in 1944, it was the culmination of over 11 years of work. Ashley is one of the best and most well known knot reference books. Three strand twisted nylon is more slippery and a midshipmans hitch may slide over time an extra turn on the first part andor an extra half hitch may prevent this. Jan 17, 2014 what are the different kinds of rope knots. The knot can be slid up and down the standing end but when tightened holds securely. Other books about knots ashley book of knots, clifford w. From boating knots, fishing knots and climbing knots to how to tie a tie. Figure 8 on a bight difficult to untie in a fall after being loaded, unlike the double bowline.
Knots in books and articles around the world are frequently referenced back to ashleys book. This book brings together twenty essays on various topics in the history and science of knots. It was the look inside feature that reminded me of when i first saw this book. Pdf ashley book of knots download full pdf book download. A symmetrical bend tied with two overhand knots around the standing end of the other line. Ashley stopper knot how to tie a ashley stopper knot. The ashley book of knots will make a unique and permanent addition to any library. Animated knots is the worlds leading site for learning how to tie knots of any kind. The barrel knot is a useful knot that can be used on its own or as the beginning for other knots such as the double fishermans knot or the blood knot though the blood knot is quite different. A variation of the fisherman s knot consisting of two double overhands. The simple act of tying a knot is an adventure in unlimited space an excursion that is limited only by the scope of our own. Simply put, there are a variety of different types of rope knots from hitches and slings 11 different ones, the international guild of knots in the uk. These related bends differ by the way the two constituent overhand knots are interlocked.
On the following pages are a very few of the most basic types of knots and hitches, but theyll do to start you out. There are over 7,000 drawings of 3,900 knots and their application in the 619 page knot tyers tome. Clifford ashley took notes on knots for over 40 years of his life, and then labored for over 11 years to produce the most comprehensive reference of knots and ropework ever written. Trusted knots by netknots how to tie the right knots animated. Ashley s books of knots specifically calls out the square knot as having caused more deaths from joining two ropes together than any other two bends combined. The book contains more than 3800 numbered entries and an estimated 7000 illustrations. The ashley book of knots is an encyclopedia of knots written and illustrated by the american. The ashley book of knots, authoritative tome of marlinespike seamanship and compendium of the best knots to move farm animals around with, is in the public domain. According to clifford ashley, the author of the ashley book of knots, it decreases the danger of capsizing that is likely to happen when the bowline is carelessly made. Encyclopedia of knots and fancy rope work, raoul graumont and john j. Ashleys bend is a knot used to securely join the ends of two ropes together. When used as a bend rather than a binding knot, the reef knot will capsize under sufficient tension. The ashley book of knots wikipedia republished wiki 2. The entries include knot instructions, uses, and some histories, categorized by type or function.
Opinions varied but lists of important knots were very similar. The ashley book of knots the white whale at the new. This is probably the most important book on the subject, and has more knots listed than any other book. A loop to loop connection is often used to join a perfection loop in the fly line with another in the leader. Knot tying is probably in no danger of disappearing, but certainly fewer. I didnt remember the name of this book until i bought another knot book and was prompted to view the ashley book of knots. The numbers ashley assigned to each knot can be used to unambiguously identify them. The ashley book of knots project gutenberg selfpublishing. I back that up by teaching them a carrick bend for tying ropes together of equal size. Ashley has devoted eleven years to writing this book, and it is based on forty years of looking for, trying out, and thinking up new knots.
It references some 3800 knots with over 7000 handdrawn diagrams. In this book you will find detailed information with illustrations on the most popular knots used by rock climbers. The common reef knot square knot is sometimes mistakenly tied as a bend. Ashley is the definitive and magnificent work on knots and knottying. The commentary on some knots may fail to address their behavior when tied with modern synthetic fiber or kernmantle style ropes. In the ashley book of knots, clifford ashley wrote. The subtitle every practical knot what it looks like, who uses it, where it. The ashley book of knots is an encyclopedia of knots. Well indexed, this book presents the knowledge needed to tie not only the practical knots we still use, but also the complex, beautiful decorative knots that are in danger of being lost. See all 18 formats and editions hide other formats and editions. The barrel knot is a friction knot that will tighten on its self as you pull or how to tie a barrel knot read more.
Full text of the ashley book of knots internet archive. I was in the sea scouts and i was amazed by the diversity and number of knots it contained. Used a double fishermans knot and bowline knot today when setting up a rope pulley setup to lift my kayak out of the way in the garage. Ashley book of knotsaa ashley bk of knots hardcover and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Prusik the prusik is a useful friction hitch that slides freely. Not too long ago, there was a discussion on the open boat yahoo group about what members considered their 10 essential knots when sailing. Here are approximately 3900 different kinds, from simple hitches to marlingspike seamanship. Useful knots for fishermen, sailors, climbers and all outdoor sports. Pages 1 and 2 should be, if possible, printed on heavier paper as they will be the cover of this booklet. Hung a snow flake thats about 2 ft by 2ft out of our window for xmas, i used a bowline knot. This simple knot is the most commonly used one and finds application in diverse fields. Midshipmans hitch animated knots by grog how to tie knots. The entries include knot instructions, uses, and some. To ask other readers questions about the ashley book of knots, please sign up.
First published in 1944, it spans 620 pages and covers 3,854 knots. Ashley stopper knot animated knots by grog how to tie knots. The complete book of fishing knots budworth, geoffrey on. It is divided into five parts, which deal respectively with knots in prehistory and antiquity, noneuropean traditions.
Published in 1944, this book is still the number one reference to all things knotting. It is similar to several related bend knots which consist of two interlocking overhand knots, and in particular the alpine butterfly. Clifford ashley the ashley book of knots the most comprehensive resource. I gave this as a christmas present to a friend who enjoys camping, fishing, history. His drawings abound in humo and the text is full of colorful. Ashley suffered a debilitating stroke the year after the book was published. Simply put, there are a variety of different types of rope knots from hitches and slings 11 different ones, the international guild of knots in the uk lists different types of knots, there are fish. May 03, 2015 easy step by step instructions for tying a rolling hitch or magnus hitch in this knot tying video tutorial. Featuring every practical knot, what it looks like, who uses it, where it comes. Advantages disadvantages secure can jam badly permanent. Easy step by step instructions for tying a rolling hitch or magnus hitch in this knot tying video tutorial.
A variation of the fishermans knot consisting of triple overhands. Ashley has included almost everything there is to know about them. Ashleys alpine butterfly basket weave beer blood carrick double fishermans fishermans flemish grief halyard harness. The ashley book of knots the white whale at the new bedford. Meaning of lead in the context of knots knot tying english.
The barrel knot is a useful knot that can be used on its own or as the beginning for other knots such as the double fisherman s knot or the blood knot though the blood knot is quite different. This book is from the popular series on how to rock climb. The latter, in common with the fisherman, spends much of his time ashore. Animated knots by grog learn how to tie knots with stepbystep. According to the ashley book of knots, it is the simplest of the single strand stopper knots. However, it has a tendency to come undone far too readily and the stevedore stopper knot deserves to be better known. Learn how to tie a rolling hitch knot whyknot youtube. Also known as the anglers loop as referred to in the ashley book of knots, it is one of the easiest fly fishing knots to create a small loop at the end of a tippet or leader that is completely in line the standing part. The ashley book of knots was compiled and first published before the introduction of synthetic fiber ropes, during a time when natural fiber cordage typically twisted, laid, or braided rope was most commonly used. Please read carefully the instructions for printing and. This makes it a stronger alternative suitable for heavyduty rigging and rough activities. Featuring every practical knot, what it looks like, who uses it, where it comes from and how to tie it. The ashley book of knots, authoritative tome of marlinespike seamanship and compendium of the best knots to. The book contains exactly 3854 numbered entries and an estimated 7000 illustrations.
The book includes 4,000 knots, with all the varieties of shipboard knots as well as knots used by. It is similar to several related bend knots which consist of two interlocking overhand knots, and in particular the alpine butterfly bend. A chapter in the book is also devoted to some of the equipment used by rock climbers. Doubleday isbn 0385040253 this is the definitive book on knots. Abok the ashley book of knots, clifford ashley doubleday books, 1944 isbn 0385040253 the old testament of knotting efkr the encyclopedia of knots and fancy ropework, raoul graumont and. The ashley book of knots is an encyclopedia of knots written and illustrated by the american artist clifford w. I teach the proper used of a reef knot to my scouts and show them how easily it can be spilled. Ashley describes every practical knot, what it looks like, where it comes from, and how to tie it. Amazon price new from used from hardcover please retry. They realize knots are the weakest link connecting an angler to what may be the fish of a lifetime.
The ashley book of knots takes us back to a time when knots saved lives and put dinner on the table. This helps to identify knots despite local colloquialisms or identification changes. Describes every practical knot, what it looks like, where it comes from, and how to tie it. Due to its scope and wide availability the ashley book of knots has become a significant reference work in the field of knotting. A variation of the fisherman s knot consisting of triple overhands. The ashley book of knots is one of most favorite books i have had the pleasure to own. When it comes to fishing knots, expert anglers get serious. Here are approximately 3900 different kinds, from simple hitches to marlingspike. The ashley book of knots i have never found a sailor who used or even. Clifford ashley took notes on knots for over 40 years of his life, and then labored for over 11 years to produce the most. A knot also means 1 nautical mile per hour sailors used to throw knotted lines overboard and count how many knots fed out per 30 seconds to measure the speed of their vessels. How to tie an overhand knot variant double overhand knot larger, more difficult to untie. Whether out at sea or in a pioneer cabin, knots were a part of daily life, one that is nearly lost today.
A 52page chapter describes knots used in over 90 occupations, including archer, baker, carpenter, cooper, farmer, fisherman, gardener, tree surgeon, and weaver. When ashley wrote his book, tarred hemp was widely used and knots usually held reliably. Ashleys books of knots specifically calls out the square knot as having caused more deaths from joining two ropes together than any other two bends combined. Ashley, is the encyclopedia of knots, with over 3,800 knots and 7,000 illustrations, all drawn by ashley. The ashley book of knots 1944, a monumental work of history, reference and howto, written and illustrated by the american clifford w. Here, weve compiled a collection of the most popular and important knots used. Ashley frequently refers to various knots having or giving good or bad lead in a given situation. His drawings abound in humor and the text is full of colorful anecdotes. The ashley book of knots is without parallel when it comes to knot tying. Used a double fisherman s knot and bowline knot today when setting up a rope pulley setup to lift my kayak out of the way in the garage. The book includes 4,000 knots, with all the varieties of shipboard knots as well as knots used by butchers. We would like to show you a description here but the site wont allow us. The ashley stopper knot should be compared to other knots commonly used as stoppers including the double overhand, and the figure 8 knot. Whether out at sea or in a pioneer cabin, knots were a part of daily life, one that is nearly.