Handbook of Knots: EXPANDED EDITION
by Des Pawson
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Book Reviews of Handbook of Knots: EXPANDED EDITION
Book Review: A Minor Correction to James Dees's Review
Summary: 5 Stars
I wanted to let potential readers know that Dawson's book DOES include the Taut-line Hitch, though you might have to know a bit about knots going in to realize it. The Taut-line Hitch is simply the Rolling Hitch (page 82 in Dawson), with the rope turned back and tied around its own standing end rather than around a pole as Dawson shows it. Dawson probably could have made that clearer, but it is there.
It's true that it doesn't include the Trucker's Hitch. It probably should in the next edition. Dawson does include the Waggoner's Hitch (page 90), which is a slightly inferior but still serviceable knot that performs the same function as the Trucker's Hitch: allowing a line to be quickly tightened to hold a load.
Even given this minor room for improvement, I think this is one of the best books of its kind ever written. The illustrations are exceptionally clear, the selection of knots is almost ideal, the book itself is small enough to easily pack with you, and its binding is unusually tough and durable for use in the field.
I think Ashley's Book of Knots is THE knot book, still unequalled after over 60 years. Yet Ashley's book is so huge and comprehensive that in some ways it is less useful than smaller books such as Dawson's. Buy Ashley for reference, by all means. But buy Dawson's book for everday use.
Book Review: Booklist review is completely wrong
Summary: 3 Stars
I bought this book thinking it was exactly what I needed after reading the Booklist review on the page. This book is not aimed at sportsmen like the review implies, it is aimed at artists. I assumed I could look up knots by task, which was not the case; the knots are presented by type, which helps, but until you read the description of the knot, you won't know what to use it for and you still won't know whether it is the best knot for the task. "Need a secure loop tied in the middle of a rope during your next camping trip?" I will know what knot to use because of the review, but not this book. Further, the book spends a good deal of time on decorative knots, while not including (as other readers pointed out too) basic knots you actually use for the sports it recommends knots for. I would rate this book lower, but its not the book's fault the Booklist review seems to refer to a completely different book (knot just a non-updated edition) and the book does in fact have beautiful illustrations and easy to follow instructions.
If you want an afternoons entertainment learning about ropework, or to learn a couple fancy knots to impress your friends, this would be the book to use. If, like me, you need applicable knowledge of knots, get another book as I am going to have to do.
Book Review: Fantastic desktop reference
Summary: 4 Stars
This is such a fun book.
With my son camping with scouts, I wanted to know more about knots. I read a friend's copy of the previous edition and decided it was perfect. Now the latest edition sits on my desk at work with several lengths of small rope for practicing the knots.
The expanded edition change is important. The latest edition has more knots and information.
The turtle-back with the cover flaps that let me mark my spot in the book is a perfect format for campers. I would not hesitate to take this on a campout.
The author does a very good job of explaining, with words and pictures, the steps to tie the knots, but there are still some areas where more explanation would help.
I started in the working knots and have endeavored into the decorative sennits and braids. I am still having fun learning a little at a time.
Book Review: Outstanding Reference
Summary: 5 Stars
I have been very pleased with the quality and clarity with which this book is able to teach and demonstrate knot tying. Describing the motions required for tying a specific knot, which are often confusing, using only words and pictures is obviously very challenging. This book does a remarkable job. The high quality color photographs and step by step, ( turn by turn if you will ), directions where essential for my learning. Someone took a lot of time and planning in producing this work and it shows. On the rare occasions I encountered difficulty in producing the knot displayed, a very careful re-reading of the text and more attention to the photographs accompanying each step resolved the difficulty. The book is compact and very durable. The pages are thick and glossy with high quality text and photographs at the different stages of the knot in process.Book Review: BEST Knot book ever!!
Summary: 5 Stars
My boyfriend checked this out from the library (to learn knots for his sailboat ropes) and loved it so much that I got him his own copy :-) He says it is the best knot book ever made! The photos are amazing and super easy to understand, and this book is so useful! It shows ALL types of knots and even shows how to make a net (using a bunch of knots). **This book also came JUST in time for our fishing trip out out on his sailboat - I had never fished before and didn't know how to knot the fishing line onto the hook. This knot book had super easy illustrations for me to understand, and it shows maybe 3-4 handy fishing knots. :-) Very helpful for both me and my boyfriend.