The Ashley Book of Knots

So what's the big deal about knots, you say? For the majority of human history (prior to industrialization and assembly line pre-packaged pre-sized made-to-fit idiot-proof modern conveniences that we've become so dependent on) life would have been impossible without knots. The ability to tie knots ranks right up there with fire and the wheel in terms of its impact on human progress. In short, nothing in modern society, indeed, arguably society itself, would have been possible without knots. ABOK provides easy access to virtually every knot ever used to any significant degree by human beings in our entire history. (Let THAT one sink in for a second!) Yes, there have been a handful of knots invented since ABOK that one may find very useful - but those are few and far between. ABOK contains literally thousands of knots, each of which explained in clear illustrations and language. And surprisingly, despite its massive content, finding a knot you need is usually pretty straightforward. Plus - and in my opinion one of the real pleasures of this book - Ashley provides a virtual historical encyclopedia of almost every knot (for example, where they originated, intended and best uses, relative strength, etc.). However, ABOK represents more than simply a reference for finding a knot to tie your lures or anchoring a tent stake - it represents one man's life and passion beautifully and painstakingly documented in a form that others can relate to and appreciate - a pure and honest contribution to the subject for no other reason than his love for it. If you've ever thought about doing something meaningful with your life and time and having that effort remembered, you can appreciate why this book truly deserves the term "legacy". Every so often a single person contributes so significantly within a given field or subject that their work becomes the reference and standard by which all other contributors are judged. ABOK represents an example of that phenomenon. If you're interested at all in knot tying, do yourself a favor and get this book. It's worth the price. You'll not only get THE reference and undisputed authoritative standard within the subject, you'll get a work of true historical importance - one that you'll probably use and read for the rest of your life. Very few books I've encountered earn such a claim.

THE book of knots. This is the #3 of this book I have purchased. I had one; my son had one; we lost both last year in the fires. My son simply had to have a new "Book of Knots" so he can keep his hands busy.

This book is an amazing learning resource and reference. Got it because I was tired of bad YouTube videos, and let me tell you - zero regret. I'm learning more and learning better with this book. You'll need to get the hang of how Ashley organizes things, and be prepared to check the index and a couple candidate sections if you're exploring a topic and/or looking for something specific. For instance, is a noose tied in the bight in the chapter on the noose, or in the chapter on knots tied in the bight? (The noose). What about a single loop tied in the bight? (Knots tied in the bight). Seizing techniques are described in Practical Marlinespike Seamanship at the end of the book, when I'd have had them at the beginning. There have been a few times when a term definition was hard to find. There are some very exquisite, decorative knots for which Ashley leaves you diagrams without over/under markings, which you derive either from rules or from looking up other knots in other chapters. He uses as few diagrams as possible to describe any given knot - you may have to study an image carefully. If you're looking for step by step guides for beginners, this ain't it. The learning curve is steep, but if you're looking aheady considering a desk reference of knots, you'll probably find it worth it.

I gave this as a Christmas present to a friend who enjoys camping, fishing, history, and puzzles. He's always doing some sort of remodel or maintenance around his house, and always seems to have rope or cord around to haul stuff. Seattle IT lumberjack kind of guy. He was blown away by this book, didn't know it existed. Although the drawings seemed complex to me, he understood them in awe and enjoyed flipping through the book, stopping to briefly read the author's comments, history and description of different knots. How to tether your duck to a stake, which knot a physician should use if a gut breaks, which knot to use to load wooden crates onto a ship, that sort of thing. There are tons of practical ones he can use as well; there are after all 3,900 knots in the book. He was thrilled said he will get immense use and joy out of it. I'm not a knot lover, I don't know how to tie knots, but I'm tempted to buy this for the sheer historical and educational value. It's a beautiful book.

This is an excellent source for learning just about any knot. It uses easy to follow diagram that make it easy to learn new knots. It is a the ultimate book in knot tying for all types of knots.

Amazing source of info. I admit I use the internet now…

Clifford's Knots is the definitive bible of knot tying. If you are interested in tying knots, then this is the only book you'll ever need...but keep a close eye because they tend to disappear (read my son and nephew both snagged one, so I'm down 3 now. This book may SEEM expensive but the value is there!

My boyfriend loves learning, and I have come home to see him reading through this often. It’s extremely useful and although not pocket sized, he takes it with him for calling, fishing, etc., he loves it!

El libro esta bellamente ilustrado con hermosos dibujos. Tiene muchos datos históricos y de usos de una enorme cantidad de nudos. El texto es muy ameno y la obra en sí es una expresión de la pasión del autor por esa concepción del intelecto humano, los nudos.

Livre très utile pour apprendre à faire des nœuds de corde ou de câble pouvant être utilisés couramment. Très bien expliqué, les dessins se comprennent bien. Let's get knotting !

Hay algunos nudos que llevan el nombre de Ashley, no es casualidad. Es difícil que nadie vaya a superar a Clifford Ashley en su dedicación a los nudos, que además enriquece con sus dibujos. Este libro no sólo muestra como se hace cada nudo, cuenta las historias de algunos, revela la relación entre nudos que parecen dispares y terminan siendo el mismo... Yo me creía un buen aficionado sin tener este libro en mi biblioteca, iluso de mi. No entras de verdad en el mundo de los nudos si no tienes este libro en tu biblioteca. Es caro, sí, no es para aficionados baratos.

A bíblia dos nós. Eu nem sabia que isso existia. Inclusive é usado como referência por aí, além de ser um livro artístico. Não é a melhor referência sobre como fazer os nós em si, apesar de ter essa pretensão de ensiná-los, mas com os recursos da época, foi uma excelente obra de referência. Existem versões posteriores que tiveram pequenas correções póstumas. Se quer uma biblioteca completa, essa joia pode integrá-la sem medo de errar.

I bought this book as a present for a friend, who is passionate of knots. I didn't study too many knots on this book because I offered it soon after purchase, but from what I saw I was very pleased. Also I received the same answer from him when I asked if he enjoyed the present. The book was in good state when I received it. But the paper is not the pure-white type, it is a little bit greyed (like the ecological paper). But this is minor and was not an issue for me. One thing to mention: the book is not suited to a novice, but more to a knot proffessional, I find it advanced and complex. Many of the drawings were hand drawn and difficult to understand. Some knots had few instructions. If you don't know what it is about, sometimes you may find difficult to tie the knot. So, if you are looking for a book to learn knots, this is not the one to start with. But, if you are a passionate collector, then this definitely should be in your library because it is the most comprehensive collection of knots and an amazing piece of art. One who is willing to study and to improve his knowledge should have this book because he/she will find it entertaining. And I recommend it because I am one of the "collector" type. The work of the author is huge, and all the drawings are hand made, thousands of them, and I really appreciate the work of the author.