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. The ashley stopper knot got its name from clifford ashley who developed the knot and become popular from the ashely book of knots. I first came across the ashley book of knots in the late 60s when i was a teenager. Find the ashley book of knots by ashley, clifford w at biblio. Ashley was published in 1944 by doubleday new york. It references some 3800 knots with over 7000 handdrawn diagrams. The ashley book of knots will make a unique and permanent addition to any library.
In the beginning of the book ashley tells about tools used to tie knots ands gives general instructions for tying knots. Get the best deals on ashley book of knots when you shop the largest online selection at. Generally considered to be the definitive knot reference book buy this book from chapters. His drawings abound in humor and the text is full of colorful anecdotes. The ashley book of knots is without parallel when it comes to knot tying. The numbers ashley assigned to each knot can be used to unambiguously identify them. Published in 1944, this book is still the number one reference to all things knotting. They can be useful as decorative stopperterminal knots.
The artist who preserved the vanishing technology of knots. Ashley himself called it the oystermans stopper knot, but most people refer to this knot as the ashely stopper knot these days. The timeless allure of the art of knots the new york times. How you can tie a doubled celtic button knot youtube. Today you have synthetic cordage in a variety of shapes, colors, sizes and textures. The ashley book of knots 1944, a monumental work of history, reference and howto, written and illustrated by the american clifford w. I dont climb, and its overkill for hanging bear bags, but i trust climbing rope to do whatever i need, and frankly i. Featuring every practical knot, what it looks like, who uses it, where it comes from and how to tie it. Knots in books and articles around the world are frequently referenced back to ashleys book. The book contains more than 3800 numbered entries and an estimated 7000 illustrations. Born in 1881 in new bedford, massachusetts, clifford w.
The book includes 4,000 knots, with all the varieties of shipboard knots as well as knots used by butchers, steeplejacks, electric linesmen, knitters, cobblers, surgeons, poachers and cowboys. Ashley, artist and author of the most influential book on knots. Do, um, knot miss this chance to become an outdoor knot master. I then added four bight gaucho knots at the top and bottom of the lanyard in tan nylon line. Media in category the ashley book of knots the following 7 files are in this category, out of 7 total. Uncommonly good collectible and rare books from uncommonly good booksellers. The ashley book of knots is regarded as the bible of knot tyers. But in this attractive, wellorganized archive of more than 3,900 different knots presented through 7,000 illustrationsthe art of knot tying lives on, both as a historical reference and.
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. First published in 1944, it was the culmination of over 11 years of work. I reference tom halls introduction to turks head knots to tie the gauchos. This is probably the most important book on the subject, and has more knots listed than any other book. With enough time and material this knot can also be used to create nets for catching fish. Ashleys book of knots als gratis download klabauterkiste. Expanded edition by des pawson, the ashley book of knots by clifford w. The entries include knot instructions, uses, and some histories, categorized by type or function. Whether out at sea or in a pioneer cabin, knots were a part of daily life, one that is nearly lost today. This helps to identify knots despite local colloquialisms or. For this lanyard i used a short piece of orange paracord and tied a long two strand matthew walker knot as a stopper using instructions from the ashley book of knots. For learning the basics, the website animated knots by grog is one of the best starting points. It remains one of the most important and comprehensive books on knots.
The entries include knot instructions, uses, and some histories. It is a stunning compilation of knots and their uses. Free shipping on many items browse your favorite brands. Nearly threequarters of a century later, ashley s book. As this book was first published in 1944, there are some more recently discovered knots missing from this huge volume, such as the versatackle knot and the zeppelin bend. 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 knot tyers bible, if you will, cataloging some 3,900 knots, illustrated with 7,000 drawings and informational graphics. Ashley is undoubtedly most famous for his stunning 1944 compilation the ashley book of knots doubleday new york a reference manual of thousands of knots with excellent diagrams. The celtic button knot looks similar to the lanyard knot, but is tied along a single strand of cord instead of using two strands. Ashley uses the word knot to include knots, lashings, splices, braidings and other ways to tie ropes, cords, string and other such materials. The ashley book of knots aboard ship knotting had reached its flood early in. Describes every practical knot, what it looks like, where it comes from, and how to tie it. Full text of the ashley book of knots internet archive. When macrame became a popular item, i had a definite advantage over most people.
Ashleys knotenbuch gibt es jetzt frei verfugbar zum herunterladen. It is essentially a single strand turks head knot that is structured such a way that it is effectively tied around the rope itself, creating a stopper. Due to its scope and wide availability, the ashley book of knots has become a significant reference work in the field of knotting. Ashley, is the definitive reference work on knots, splices, and ropework in general. Ashley while delving into the life of ashley, who was a master knot tyer, maritime artist, historian, and author. Knots in books and articles around the world are frequently referenced back to ashley s book.
Ashley is the definitive and magnificent work on knots and knottying. It typically is used as a button, or as a knot securing the end of the rope from fraying. If youre more the bookish type, try the ultimate book of everyday knots or the knot tying bible. 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. I find them useful as decorative stopperterminal knots. Knot terminology ashley book of knots abok knot book by clifford ashley, widely recognized as the preeminent book on knots. The ashley book of knots is an encyclopedia of knots written and illustrated by the american artist clifford w. Pdf ashley book of knots download full pdf book download. This catalog spotlights noteworthy objects from the exhibition thou shalt knot. You could do no better than to go to that source for thousands of intricate drawings of knots and the process of tying them. The ashley book of knots books, knots guide, knots.
Nothing comparable has been published since and it remains the authoritative source. Ashley book knots, first edition abebooks passion for. A superlative knot tier, in the middle of the nineteenth century, stood in the. This is a crucial knot in a survival situation as you often will not have enough of one length of rope and may need to tie multiple lengths together. This book and a piece of cord will open a new and challenging world of practical adventure to readers of all ages. But i had given no thought atthat time to writing a book of knots, a fact which i have.
I loved reading knot books when i first started sailing. 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. Ashley book of knots by clifford ashley, hardcover. It is so essential that the ashley book of knots lists the sheet bend as knot. But in this attractive, wellorganized archive of more than 3,900 different knots presented through 7,000 illustrationsthe art of knot. But in this attractive, wellorganized archive of more than 3,900 different knots presented through 7,000 illustrationsthe art of knot tying lives on, both as a historical. A celtic button knot is a stopper knot on a single rope that results in a spherical decorative knot with hair braid basket weave pattern. Thou shalt knot at the new bedford whaling museum celebrates the legacy of clifford w. The book and exhibition illustrate how knots are both ancient and modern, and how they are the subject of cuttingedge research and ongoing practice in mathematics, physics, life sciences.
It remains one of the most important and comprehensive books. It takes the form of a three lead four bight turks head knot. The book contains exactly 3854 numbered entries and an estimated 7000 illustrations. Sailing of course is no requisite for studying knots. These can be used practically as a bulky stopper knot or a heaving line knot. Ashley published by doubleday 666 fifth avenue, new york, ny, 10103 usa, 1944 isbn 0385040253 a huge tome of knots and just about anything else you can do with string. Ashley book of knots by clifford ashley and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Knots here may also be referred to by their abok number. The ashley book of knots takes us back to a time when knots saved lives and put dinner on the table. A superlative knot tier, in the middle of the nineteenth centlky, stood in the estimation of. There are over 7,000 drawings of 3,900 knots and their application in the 619 page knot tyers tome. No comparable book has been published since and it. I never head out on a backpacking trip without a length of rope. This book uses drawings to show how to tie the knots.