There are over 7,000 drawings of 3,900 knots and their application in the 619 page knot tyers tome. If you want a definitive source check ashleys book on knots, the knot enthusiasts bible. Ashley spent years looking for and trying out existing and new knottying combinations, and not only in the nautical world. The book contains exactly 3854 numbered entries and an estimated 7000 illustrations. Free manuals to download, military manuals and books on knots. Ashley stopper knot how to tie a ashley stopper knot. With thousands of drawings representing hundreds of knots, this tome has become the premier reference work of knotting. Ashley s book of knots in pdf my understanding is that for written works the expires 75 years after the death of the author. First published in 1944, it was the culmination of over 11 years of work. If you are into knots, practical or decorative, then this is a fantastic book of reference. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. A student of howard pyles, he is represented in the permanent collections of museums and libraries all along the east coast. Media in category the ashley book of knots the following 7 files are in this category, out of 7 total. Sep 19, 2017 ashleys own the book of knots was translated into german, spanish, french and italian editions.
The ashley book of knots hardcover 1979 by clifford w. Not too long ago, there was a discussion on the open boat yahoo group about what members considered their 10 essential knots when sailing. He tells when they appeared, something about their history, and what. The ashley book of knots is without parallel when it comes to knot tying. Featuring every practical knot, what it looks like, who uses it, where it comes from and how to tie it. Ashley has devoted eleven years to writing this book, and it is based on forty years of looking for, trying out, and thinking up new knots.
That said, i believe many academics would agree that the encyclopedia of knots and fancy ropework, cornell, 1939 by john hensel and raul graumount is a more academic work on the. Ashley, is the definitive reference work on knots, splices, and ropework in general. Ashley stopper knot how to tie a ashley stopper knot using. The more serious side of ashley was evident in his art, an interest that was awakened in high school, further nurtured at the eric pape art school in boston and blossomed with later friendships with n. This is a complete index of all of the knots at this website, and there are two ways to view this information. Here are approximately 3900 different kinds, from simple hitches to marlinspike seamanship. Published in 1944, this book is still the number one reference to all things knotting. The author, clifford ashley, was an artist as well as a sailor and this book was the work of a lifetime of fascination with knots. Precisely named and classified some new ones for the first time officially, they can be easily found in the big index. I first came across the ashley book of knots in the late 60 s when i was a teenager. Looking back on the broken strands of his childhood, he tries, at last, to weave them together, aided by his grandfather s copy of the ashley book of knots and the arrival of a wildhaired, tangodancing sculptor a woman with her own ideas about making peace with the past.
The book contains drawings and instructions for thousands of different types of knots. Then you get to issues of yes, the author has been dead for 80 years, but the guy who wrote the preface to the third edition is still alive, and the illustrator has only been dead for 60. Clifford ashley took notes on knots for over 40 years of his life, and then labored for over 11 years to produce the most comprehensive reference of knots and ropework ever written. The ashley book of knots every practical knot what it looks like, who uses it, where it comes from, and how to tie it, with over 7,000 drawings representing 3900 knots. Ashley has included almost everything there is to know about them. Ashleys book of knots in pdf my understanding is that for written works the expires 75 years after the death of the author. The fortyone chapters include knots classed under such general types as hooks, beckets, and toggles, the noose, and tricks and puzzles. Pdf ashley book of knots download full pdf book download.
Whether out at sea or in a pioneer cabin, knots were a part of daily life, one that is nearly lost today. Ashley was first published in 1944 and subsequently reprinted with amendments in 1993. This is by far the best book i have ever read on the subject of knots, but its scope reaches far beyond simply how to tie simple bends and shanks. Born in 1881 in new bedford, massachusetts, clifford w. It makes a wellbalanced trefoilfaced stopper at the end of the rope, giving greater resistance to pulling through an opening than other common stoppers. First published in 1944, it spans 620 pages and covers 3,854 knots. Ashleys stopper knot this knot may save your life if you. Ashley describes the history, uses and construction of more than 3,900 different knotspresented through 7,000 carefully handdrawn illustrations. Looking back on the broken strands of his childhood, he tries, at last, to weave them together, aided by his grandfathers copy of the ashley book of knots and the arrival of a wildhaired, tangodancing sculptor a woman with her own ideas about making peace with the past. In 2016, ashleys daughters, phoebe chardon and jane ashley, donated their fathers collection of knots to the nbwm. Today you have synthetic cordage in a variety of shapes, colors, sizes and textures. Ashley is one of the best and most well known knot reference books. I first came across the ashley book of knots in the late 60s when i was a teenager.
A fairly complex flat knot derived from the carrick bend. This includes many of the knots ashley used as models for the almost 7,000 illustrations in his encyclopedic magnum opus, the ashley book of knots, in continuous print since 1944. This is by far the best book i have ever read on the subject of knots, but it s scope reaches far beyond simply how to tie simple bends and shanks. The ashley book of knots wikipedia republished wiki 2. Ashleys is an excellent book with beautiful illustrations. Ashley book of knots by clifford ashley, hardcover barnes. Ashleys stopper knot, also known as the oystermans stopper, is a knot developed by clifford w. Each drawing and hence each knot is identified by a number. The ashley book of knots abok clifford warren ashley is famous for his stunning 1944 compilation the ashley book of knots doubleday new york a reference manual of thousands of knots with excellent diagrams. This invaluable volume is big hardcover book with a quality binding. Any serious knot tyer will have a well worn copy in their library. I teach the proper used of a reef knot to my scouts and show them how easily it can be spilled. Ashley is the definitive and magnificent work on knots and knottying. May 02, 2017 published in 1944, this is the bible of knots.
The ashley book of knots or abok as knot aficionados refer to it is a620page compilation of every knot known to man. When macrame became a popular item, i had a definite advantage over most people. The ashley book of knots will make a unique and permanent addition to any library. Ashley synthesized this and more over a grueling 11year period, and when his the ashley book of knots was published in 1944, it quickly became regarded as the pinnacle of books on knots and knotwork, a veritable knottyers bible, if you will, cataloging some 3,900 knots, illustrated with 7,000 drawings and informational graphics. Essentially, the knot is a common overhand noose, but with the end of the rope passing through the noose eye, which closes. Ashley s stopper knot, also known as the oysterman s stopper, is a knot developed by clifford w. But in this attractive, wellorganized archive of more than 3,900 different knotspresented through 7,000 illustrationsthe art of knot tying lives on, both as a historical reference and. The ashley book of knots is an encyclopedia of knots written and illustrated by the american artist clifford w.
The ashley book of knots, authoritative tome of marlinespike seamanship and compendium of the best knots to move farm animals around with, is in the public domain. Ashley was an antique dealer and artist, who spent eleven years writing his magnum opus, the ashley book of knots, and died three years after its 1944 publication. It is a stunning compilation of knots and their uses. Download the ashley book of knots pdf ebook read online. Mar 01, 2009 a fairly complex flat knot derived from the carrick bend. Abok the ashley book of knots, clifford ashley doubleday books, 1944 isbn 0385040253 the old testament of knotting efkr the encyclopedia of knots and fancy ropework, raoul graumont and john hensel cornell maritime press, 1943 isb. The ashley book of knots takes us back to a time when knots saved lives and put dinner on the table. Ashley was published in 1944 by doubleday new york. No comparable book has been published since and it remains the. Ashleys description is that the knot has three rim parts, and these are quite symmetrical when viewed from the underside. Nothing comparable has been published since and it remains the authoritative source. Nearly threequarters of a century later, ashleys book.
Ashleys books of knots specifically calls out the square knot as having caused more deaths from joining two ropes together than any other two bends combined. The ashley book of knots academic dictionaries and. Download the ashley book of knots pdf ebook read online 2335. The ashley book of knots is an encyclopedia of knot s first published in 1944 by clifford ashley. Ashley book of knots by clifford ashley, hardcover. Aug 15, 2017 ashley s is an excellent book with beautiful illustrations. Featuring every practical knot, what it looks like. Knotsformountaineeringcampingclimbingutilityrescueetc. Without a doubt ashleys book of knots is the recognized authority. The subtitle every practical knot what it looks like, who uses it, where it comes from, and how to tie it pretty much says it all. This book and a piece of cord will open a new and challenging world of practical adventure to readers of all ages. To hitch your waggon to a star to sling aloft a jug or jar to hoist a cow high as a kite. Ashley who who s epic masterpiece the ashley book of knots is basically the bible of knot tying.
The culmination of over 11 years of work, it contains some 7000 illustrations and more than 3854 entries covering over 2000 different knots. The book contains more than 3800 numbered entries and an estimated 7000 illustrations. Knots in books and articles around the world are frequently referenced back to ashleys book. The entries include knot instructions, uses, and some histories, categorized by type or function. It is generally rather easy to follow if one is looking to tie a particular knot, bend, or splice. Hopkins in messing about in boats magazine, june 2009. Went to the library yesterday, and lo and behold, there was a hardcover copy, in great condition, in the plastic library dustcover, for the princely sum of. Here are approximately 3900 different kinds, from simple hitches to marlingspike seamanship.