The Handbook of Knots

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.

for the price the best book on knots there is & I bought (and returned them all :-)Very complete concerning how to use the knots, and their terminology. Little pictograms in the upperhand corner show it's intended uses, and takes you through all the various types of material and how to prepare it for your work. But the real point is can you replicate the knot? And yes Pawson shows good detail both in picture and word of how to obtain that particular knot.The cover can also be used as a bookmark so go get some string and start knotting. I always keep some on me for when I have time with nothing to do. Knotting is a cheap and easy hobby but like all else, it takes practise.This book makes a great hobby totally affordable and fun.

Des Pawson created a great manual for tying all types of knots. He successfully breaks down the various categories to include essential basics, their technical counterparts and various other useful techniques for both decorative uses and inquisitive minds. As an avid sailor and user of all types of knots, I can't emphasize enough the importance of strongly knowing how to tie the perfect knot when needed. I've been waiting to buy a knot book for years and this one is perfect. The first time I came across his book, a fellow sailor pulled it off the shelf of his vessel to quickly show me an example. After that I was sold on the colorful pictures, simple explainations and great organization of his collection. Pawsons book is a great guide and I find myself picking it up at various times to simply relax, practice my old knots, and learn a few new tricks.

I was truly surprised by Pawson's book. From the reviews of others, I was expecting a good deal, and hoped it would be as good as Morrow's Guide to Knots, but adding some information not included in that very good book. When the book arrived, it seemed so slim (actually 160 pages, however) and compact, I couldn't see how it could compare.However, it's a marvel in presenting a wealth of information very clearly. I think it is considerably more informative than the Morrow book, and also gives clearer explanations and illustrations. It has very many useful knots that Morrow and most other small books do not have, such as the Alpine Butterfly, Ashley's Bend, Buntline Hitch, and the Klemheist knot, gives good information on splicing that Morrow completely omits, and has a lot of useful tips everywhere. The illustrations are truly first rate.I was surprised though at the omission of the tautline hitch or Tarbuck knot (either would have sufficed). Indeed there were no "ratcheting" loop knots given that slide open or closed to the degree desired, then locked -- a truly useful class of knot that shouldn't have been omitted. If another knot had to go to make room, the only two that could have gone, in my opinion, are the Jury Mast Knot and the Thief Knot. (Admittedly, the Thief Knot is interesting, and I guess that if you need the Jury Mast Knot, you REALLY need it. But that's not one person in 10,000 these days.)Morrow's is probably more complete for the fisherman.I highly recommended "The Handbook of Knots" as a first book on knots, and for most people it will really be all that they ever need, except for the sliding loop knot omission. But if you do need a sliding knot, the Tautline Hitch is actually a Rolling Hitch tied on its own standing part after looping around the object being hitched, so since the book gives the Rolling Hitch, if you know this relationship between the knots, then you're all set and probably won't ever really need another book. Unless you become fascinated by the subject, in which case you'll need Ashley's book.Overall, Pawson's book sets a new standard among the smaller, conveniently-sized, highly practical knot books.

For my first work, I started with Ashely's bible on knots.However, that was far and away too authoritative - with thousands ofknots at my disposal, I had no idea what the most important were.I needed a succinct introduction.Pawson delivers just that. A "fine little book" it is indeed - yet in this modest, superbly illustrated volume lurk about one hundred important knots - most are very useful, some are decorative, and all are rewarding.If Ashely's work is the college of knot tying, this would be my vote for the textbook for "Knots 101 - the adventure begins !" END