Reviews
Amazon.com
The Ashley Book of Knots takes us back to a time when knots saved lives and put dinner on the table. Whether out at sea or in a pioneer cabin, knots were a part of daily life, one that is nearly lost today. But in this attractive, well-organized archive of more than 3,900 different knots--presented through 7,000 illustrations--the art of knot tying lives on, both as a historical reference and a reservoir of handy knowledge.

Customer Comments
Average Customer Review: Number of Reviews: 10

Andrew Jay (aj744@aol.com) from U.S. , April 27, 1999
This is the definitive knot book.
As a sailor, eagle scout and lover of rope, I am wildly enthusiastic about this comprehensive work. It has every knot one could ever imagine, even some that are from extinct arts, such as whaling. Ashley's tome is a must have for the library of every sailor, scout leader, or woodsman.

Harvey W. Harbicht (hharbich@execpc.com) from Milwaukee, Wi USA , October 22, 1998
The Bible of knots. Period.
Ashley's book is the bible of knots. If it's a real knot that somebody in the world uses it's in here. He covers all known knots* and some other rope crafts as well. I've been looking at every knot book I can lay my hands on and virtually all of them are contained in this book.

Three Bad Points: 1) It's a whopper of a book; not something to be carried around with you on a camping trip or such.

2) Many of the drawings and descriptions are a bit unclear or edited down to bare minimum. He mentions this in the opening. He chose to do this in favor of having the desciptions and drawings of each knot on the same page rather than a whole page of instructions and the knot itself on the next page. Many of the desciptions are so short and concise that only an expert will be able to figure out what he's talking about.

3) He considers making a knot a different way or using it for something else to be a brand new knot and adds it to the book. For example the Constrictor Knot, The Miller's Knot and The Bag Knot are the exact same thing but it's three knots in the book because it's used by three different professions.

Still....there's enough here to satisfy ANYBODY!

Over all though a 10 out of 10. Five stars!

* British and American knots anyway. There are no doubt some Chinese or Japanese knots that he never found out about. It would be impossible to write a book containing EVERY known anything you know.

A reader from Aland Islands in the Baltic Sea , September 23, 1998
Did Mr. Ashley not understand the Sheet Bend?
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.

Doug Allan (dougallan@erols.com) from United States , August 24, 1998
A knot-tying encyclopedia
The Ashley Book Of Knots should become part of maritime history. Mr. Ashley was not only dedicated enough to compile a book of nearly 4,000 knots, he also gives mention of each knots' inventor, its use and the period in which the knot was discovered.

This book is perfect for captains, campers, coffee tables and anyone interested in the "Art" of knot tying.

A reader from Santa Barbara, CA , August 21, 1998
Best book on knots that there is.
Ashley's is the best book on knots of the dozens that I've read. THE book to which all others refer, Ashley's is also well-written, with humor and insight, and filled with thousands of clear illustrations.

RADSHOALS@AIRNET.NET from Tuscumbia, Alabama , February 3, 1998
Worth buying for the drawings alone!!!
Ashley's Book of Knots is the most amazing book in my collection. Aside from discussing about every type of knot one can think of, it is a collection of beautiful pen drawings, not only of knots, but of people in interesting situations. After 50 years, Ashley's book continues to be the most often quoted reference in the ongoing science of knot development. It is the Bible of knots.

Vaughn Terpack (jterpack@greenwood.net) from Hodges, South Carolina , January 11, 1998
An essential addition to the outdoorsman's library!
As a hunter, camper, and outdoors columnist, I am constantly called upon to use various bits of ropework as I go about the day's activities. I thought I had a fair bit of knowledge on the subject of rope until I read this book. I simply couldn't believe there were so many ways to use the stuff.

If for any reason you have to use rope, you should read this book. If you are interested in macreme, this book is for you. If you like the nautical life, this book is a must-have. If you like braiding, read this book. Even if you're only going on a road trip, this book will show you a dozen ways to lash your luggage down tight.

The section on serving the ends of line to prevent its unraveling is particularly useful to anyone that uses rope a lot. And, if you have to lift heavy loads with a pulley, you'll love the section dedicated to just that jubject. I work around a farm and am always looking for new ways to use rope. Every time I breeze through the pages, I learn something new.

Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, carpenters, craftsmen, hobbyists, mariners and historians, this book is for you. I never thought of ropework as an artform but it is. The day I added this title to my library was a good day. I cannot say enough about the Ashley Book of Knots and recommend it without hesitation. Every library should have a copy.

rharper@xmission.com from SLC, Utah, USA , December 14, 1997
I love this book. One of my childhoof favorites.
When I was young and starting out in sailing we got this book to learn more aboutn how to tie all of the knots. This book had every knot we needed and more! I have fond memories of making monkey-fists and rigging knots.

The next best reference on knots is Raoul Graumont and John Hensel's, Encyclopedia of Knots and Fancy Rope Work (Cornell Maritime Pr, 4th ed., 1952). Amazon sells it for only $27.27, 30% off the cover price.

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Reviews
Reference Editor's Recommended Book
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.

Synopsis
An entirely different kind of knot book, this compact, practical guide takes full advantage of color photography to teach readers how to tie 70 of the most useful knots they can know. Unlike illustrations, the photos show every step looking over the shoulder of the tier. Color-coding makes the ropes easy to distinguish. 647 photos.

Customer Comments
Average Customer Review: Number of Reviews: 2

charl.slabbert@za.pwcglobal.com from Johannesburg, South Africa , February 9, 1999
Colourful and easy to understand
Well worth buying this book. A practical guide with lots of colour pictures of detail steps and completed kots. The guide is comprehensive and have 70 different knots, from utility knots, fisherman knots and beautiful decorative knots. I would recommend this to anyone, from a knot hobbiest to a serious outdoor adventurer.

Dave Tracewell - (dave@scouter.com) from Kansas City, MO , August 23, 1998
One of the most comprehensive books on Knots anywhere!
Mario Bigon and Guido Regazzoni have put together one of the finest collections of knots in print. The many color photos, and use of different colored ropes illustrating the methods used to tie the knots are impressive. Overall, I would classify this book as one of the most comprehensive books on Knots anywhere!

Another choice is: 

John Hensel's Book of Ornamental Knots which Amazon sells for 20% off at $15.96; 

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Customer Comments
Average Customer Review: Number of Reviews: 1

lindseyph@aol.com from Long Beach, California, USA , May 28, 1998
A knot-tyers reference for most popular and some rarer knots
Geoffrey Budworth's book is mistitled "complete" but does not miss the mark for this knot-tyer. "Knots" has a very clear layout, excellent graphics, and is supported by clear and concise descriptions, including some invaluable history. It doesn't miss a beat of the essential information for beginners and masters of the art alike. It certainly does not contain every knot known, but it is complete in the sense that every useful, most of the decorative, and certainly all of the essential knots have been included for all knot-tyers, be they climber, sailor, caver, angler, outdoorsman, indoorsman or scout. Geoffrey distinguishes between them all very nicely with a graphic tab that can easily be located. A great buy and well worth the small investment.

Budworth has also authored the Book of Decorative Knots

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Customer Comments
Average Customer Review: Number of Reviews: 1

A reader from Fowlers Bluff, Fla. , March 15, 1999
Brialliantly simplifies the art of plaiting
A must for anyone interested in whip history or making whips. Has simplified by illustration and explanation. He has taken a difficult art and made it user friendly to the novice or to the master.As a master whip maker for 30 years I enjoyed it thoroughly. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in leather or plaiting. This is a real masterpiece.

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Reviews
Synopsis
A guide to tying useful, decorative, and magic knots features step-by-step illustrations and a clear text that teaches readers how to create everything ranging from simple hitches to complex lariats, trick knots, and rope tricks.

Another good manual to try is: 

John Cassidy, The Klutz Book of Knots 
(Klutz Press, 1985), 21 pages, $10.95 ($8.76 from Amazon.com) 

Amazon.com  Price: $12.76 

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Customer Comments
Average Customer Review: Number of Reviews: 1

A reader from Chicago, IL , January 14, 1999
Clever, odd, and truly fiendish ideas.
Some of the ideas presented in this book are genius... others are just weird. But there are more than enough projects for the person casually interested in the scene to make, before spending the BIG bucks on custom-made toys, and some of the projects (if done with quality in mind) will produce beautiful results. You'll never look at your local hardware store the same way again! Your basement may never be the same, either... Recommended!

Amazon.com  Price: $20.27 

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Customer Comments
Average Customer Review: Number of Reviews: 1

kwolson@hotmail.com from MI/CA , November 7, 1997
An essential reference
Grant's survey of leather braiding is an essential reference for those interested in leather working, covering riatas, bosals, quertas, whips, fancy knots and more. He also covers methods of duplicating complicated knots from an extant piece. The book covers most of his volume _How to Make Cowboy Horsegear_.

Others works are-

Bruce Grant, Leather Braiding 
(Cornell Maritime Press, 1950, reprinted in 1992), $7.95, Amazon Price: $5.56. 

Bruce Grant, How to Make Cowboy Horse Gear 
(Cornell Maritime Pr, 1956), paperback, 193 pages, $8.95, Amazon Price: $7.16. 

Amazon.com  Price: $7.96  Order this book 

  The Master Himself!! Single tail whips crafted to perfection.

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Reviews
From Booklist , April 1, 1995
Michael's guide covers basic leatherworking techniques, describes the scientific makeup of an animal skin, explains the tanning process, and depicts an efficient workshop setup. In addition, Michael specifies tools and equipment and lists the materials necessary to sew, dye, glue, and finish each project. Line drawings combined with photographs effectively illustrate methods used to create a variety of boxes, belts, purses, wallets, briefcases, and molded decorative masks. And Michael's step-by-step instructions are concise enough to offer craft enthusiasts of differing skill levels a range of projects to undertake. Color plates depict finished pieces, and sources of supplies are noted. Alice Joyce
Copyright© 1995, American Library Association. All rights reserved

Customer Comments
Average Customer Review: Number of Reviews: 3

Richard@flook.globalnet.co.uk from Manchester, UK , February 14, 1999
told me just what I wanted to know
I had in mind a project that needed two particular leatherworking skills - box stitching and moulding leather - and had found many many books which told me in great detail just how to do a thousand other things, much rarer and more complex.

Then I found this book - clear, informative, and reassuring. Bravo!

Richard Byrne

A reader from Monticello, Utah , January 30, 1999
Excellent how-to for constructing cases
The book focuses on making cases and presents clear how-to directions. Charming English expressions. No information on tooling or stamping.

A reader , June 4, 1997
Leatherworkers Handbook
A breath of fresh air! It has been a long time since a book about Leathercraft held my interest like this one does. I have worked in this field for more than twenty years and books on the craft are fairly hit and miss with the subject. Valeries book is well layed out and very informitive. Good descriptive text and pictures, make the projects therein, a breeze. Although it is a small selection of how to skills for the Leathercrafter, the selection is different and challenging. Highly recommended for schools etc.