Knots Around the Home

Rating:
Summary: A great reference book to have around the house
Review: "Knots Around the Home" is a very easy to follow reference for tieing knots. It gives very clear instructions, and best of all, provides practicle examples on how and when to use the various knots -- a uninque feature that I have failed to find in other books about knots. For the first time I have found a book that tells me how to tie a tire swing, tie down a tarp, tie down a trunk, tie a load on top of a car, etc.

This is not a book for a person wanting a knot encyclopedia. It only gives a handful of knots, but the knots are VERY practicle, as the title suggests, and covers most the jobs average people do.

The only reason I didn't give this book 5 stars is that it's coverage is limited, and it has very primitive illustrations -- but illustrations that are easy to follow. Overall, however, it is my favorite practical book.

Rating:
Summary: A great reference book to have around the house
Review: "Knots Around the Home" is a very easy to follow reference for tieing knots. It gives very clear instructions, and best of all, provides practicle examples on how and when to use the various knots -- a uninque feature that I have failed to find in other books about knots. For the first time I have found a book that tells me how to tie a tire swing, tie down a tarp, tie down a trunk, tie a load on top of a car, etc.

This is not a book for a person wanting a knot encyclopedia. It only gives a handful of knots, but the knots are VERY practicle, as the title suggests, and covers most the jobs average people do.

The only reason I didn't give this book 5 stars is that it's coverage is limited, and it has very primitive illustrations -- but illustrations that are easy to follow. Overall, however, it is my favorite practical book.

Rating:
Summary: A GOOD IDEA, BUT POORLY DONE
Review: I bought this book on the basis of the one 4-star review, which describes a handy book of practical knots. Alas, the book doesn't deserve such praise. The authors seem to think that the world can be tied up with a bowline and trucker's hitch; while one CAN do much with little, there is certainly room in 50pp and--I hope--the abilities of most people to do more. The book's section on rope materials is largely academic (for the obscure natural fibers--and how'd they omit manila?!), and incorrect in equating Kevlar w/Dyneema & Spectra (the latter are NOT aramids, but hi-mod polyethylene). Amazingly, they don't show a most common & useful knot, the round turn and two half-hitches! Nor a gripping knot such as the taut-line hitch--quite practical. Yet they include the sheepshank? --and how to tie a bowline w/line under tension (something only possible if it's under only LIGHT tension)? Showing a bowline as the means to secure the top of a swing shows a failing in application--one would likely use maybe a running bowline if unwilling to climb the tree to tie a hitch. But a loop at the top will tend to abrade w/each swing fore/aft!
Again, it's a good idea for a book, but a poor result.