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Summary: Ashley's book of life
Review: Excellent from the beggining to the end. Suitable boath for kids and adults. It gives the reader how and why for every of 3854 knots listed. Only the size of this book is umpractical, and knowing why it is so, just gives you more pleasure before every further reading.
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Summary: The single best, most authoritative source
Review: For anyone wanting to know more than the very basics, Ashley is a must: an absolute best. No one has ever done it better, and this is the standard reference work.There are a handful of modern knots that aren't here in this edition, but that's very minor quibbling. The only people that will care about this, are people who will absolutely need Ashley's book in any case! For the person wanting to get started, while he or she may soon find the need for Ashley's book, there is so much information that overload is bound to occur. I'd recommend "The Handbook of Knots" by Des Pawson for the beginner who doesn't want to put that much effort into it and wants a fast start. But as Ashley pointed out as his reason for having only one book, instead of also having a simplified book, the fact is that even children who were really interested in the subject proved themselves able to make even the most complex knots from his complete book, so he felt no need for a simpler book. If you have that degree of interest, then indeed you need nothing else, but if you're looking for quick, easy, yet everything you need to know to get going pretty well, then some of the smaller books are better choices (and I think the above-mentioned Pawson book is best.)
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Summary: Should be a staple in every reference library
Review: Go to your nearest hardware store, and look at all the fasteners. There are U-bolts, swages, eye-hooks, and on, too many to count. Well, not too long ago, the metal in a bolt would have been a prohibitive cost. Instead, the jobs of all those fasteners were filled by knots.
There is a branch of mathematics called "knot theory". It deals with one-dimensional fibers crossing in 3-space, and no other dimensionality has quite the same properties. A strand, wrapped around another and holding it, is a remarkable thing.
Daily jobs in older eras touch abstract math in this book. It's a remarkable encyclopedia of practical, beautiful, and profound ways of pulling things together. Ashley shows bows, buttons, nooses, braids, knots, bights, and seemingly endless other ways to make simple strings into tools, toys, and decorations.
You will come away from this book with respect. All those different people - fishermen, sailors, weavers, surgeons, and shipping clerks - all of them had their own needs and only strings to meet those needs with. They did their jobs, and did them well, using the techniques remembered in this book. What's more, mathematicians use this book as a fundamental reference. Just about any twist in space was named here, so Ashley has become the catalog. When a mathematician refers to "Ashley #128", the structure has been specified completely.
This is history, practice, theory, and fun between the same covers. No working library can be without it.
//wiredweird
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Summary: Did Mr. Ashley not understand the Sheet Bend?
Review: I appreciate very much "The Ashley Book of Knots" . However, I do not agree with Mr. Ashley regarding the sheet bend. There is only one way to make a correct sheet bend and that is as No. 67 on page 16. I believe that the sheet bend evolved from the square knot and that it is actually the same knot. I further believe that the first sheet bend was made when "the early man" discovered that his square knot was no good for joining two lines or ropes with different diameters. Instead of undoing his square knot he secured its thinner loose end under it self and made a sheet bend according to No. 67.
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Summary: A life long companion for the knot nut - ameteur or pro
Review: I bought my first copy of this GREAT book in 1945, in Honolulu while in the navy and have had a copy at my warm side ever since -- most books are read once, maybe twice, some even more BUT this one has been read by me almost daily for all these years -- I even keep an extra copy at my mother-in-law's house so I can be close while travelling -- someone should run down a member of the Ashley family descendants and tell him or her what a totally awesome job he did! There is no book on knots equal to his work -- A wonderful contribution to the nutty people who enjoy knots whether they be scout, sailor, cowboy, climber or the soccer mom who needs help with a simple bow!
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Summary: Above all other knot books...in weight only.
Review: I gave this book a 4 for just one reason, a lack of detailed drawings. Although it is the most extensive book of knots known to man. A must for any extreme mariner or avid boatswain mate.
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Summary: Above all other knot books...in weight only.
Review: I gave this book a 4 for just one reason, a lack of detailed drawings. Although it is the most extensive book of knots known to man. A must for any extreme mariner or avid boatswain mate.
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Summary: A square rigger's point of view
Review: I have been sailing square riggers for 12 years now and I would not put to sea without my much loved copy of Clifford Ashley's book. Any person who wants to take themselve's seriously as a knot tier must keep a copy of this book in their sea bag. I love Clifford's interesting insights into the history of knots, his ability to spin a yarn and his sense of humour. If it doesn't make you want to meet the man, I'll eat my hat! I consider this book my first port of call if I need to learn a new decorative knot for a project or just to impress landlubbers with my seman's skills. This book is salty! I give it my hearty recommendation to all persons with an interest in knots but especially to those young souls who are about to make a life on the sea. Clifford Ashley's life work is a gift to us all that and he could not have imagined it's value.
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Summary: Ashley Book of Knots
Review: If I were to have to chose a book to be the Bible of knot tying this one is it. It covers many of the aspects of Marlinspike Seamanship and just about anything knot tying you might ever be interested in. There may be books with easier to follow directions for different knots, but this one is relatively concise and once you puzzle out how his nomenclature works you are well on your way to tying just about any knot in the book. This book is expensive but is well worth the price. It is a main stay of my personal reference library.
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Summary: THE Knot Reference
Review: Simply stunning! Nearly 4,000 knots and as many illustrations fill this hefty tome. Having said this do not assume that this book is heavy going - rather the contrary - Ashley writes in a light and interesting style, interspersed with humour. Every type of knot is covered - from practical knots though decorative knots to trick knots. An assement of practicality of each knot for specific uses is also included. Add to this plenty of history, and the classification of knots by use and occupation, and this makes this book a must for anyone interested in knots. It is also handy for dipping into on rainy days!
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