This is a great book with informative instructions. The pictures are very helpful and make knot tying so easy.

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.

When I got this book, I was looking for a book that covered a good variety of knots, had easy, understandable instructions, and had very clear pictures - not drawings, and this book is exactly that. Not only was I impressed, but my entire family was extremely impressed with how easy it is to understand this book! The pictures are very, very clear, and the instructions are very easy to understand. I honestly don't think you could "out-do" this book in how the instructions are presented.

This book is sturdy and will last many years. This book has good illustrations and has really helped me to learn several knots easily.

This guide to knots makes a great reference book for scoutmasters or anyone needing to know more about knots. This also makes great recreational material.

This is one great book both to own and to give to someone just because you want to.
Easy to follow instructions and some great knots to show off your skill. I keep it on the coffee table for all to see.
Is anyone bored? Tie a knot...

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.

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.

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.

Bought this book for my course library (I am a wilderness instructor for Outward Bound). Realized too late that it does not include the taut line hitch or the trucker's (wagoneer's) hitch, both of which we use a lot. I would have thought those would be included in any good knots book. Ultimately replaced it with "The Book of Knots: How to Tie 200 Practical Knots" by Budworth & Dalton. Good illustrations a better selection of knots.

A great book, with great color illustrations, some information about rope, and which knots are good for which activities or goals. The book starts off too complicated for me. I think they need to publish a "Knots for Idiots" book...that would be more my pace. If you're completely new to knots, like me, give up now.

Pawson's _Handbook of Knots_ is indespensible to the marlinspike sailor, and a useful tool for those who just want to know more about ropework. The book is organized by type of knot (stopper knots, binding, bends, hitches, loops, plaits and sennits) and has quite a bit about rope care, use, and splicing. The diagrams are simple and the instructions easy to follow. Highly recommended.

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.

As a pacifist and a professional bank robber let me just say that this text is indispensable. Danger is inherent to my line of work. Most of my colleges are dangerous and well armed. My personal credo is money is not worth getting hurt over but sometimes I must disable some of my clients as I go about my work and that is why I give this book 5 stars. After studying this book I can guarantee if I ever have the pleasure of meeting you in a bank you may be immobilized but you will be in a comfortable position as I do my job until the authorities show up to release you.

No matter your profession if you have any need or desire to learn proper knot work this is the text for you.

Good luck and keep those deposits coming.

Mr. Des Pawson's HANDBOOK OF KNOTS is an intelligent compendium of the most practical and used knots to be found on a construction site, camping ground, sailing ship, or diver's barge. Mr. Pawson demonstrates both his wisdom and practical expertise in its design as the book is compact and slim enough to slide into the pocket of one's coveralls or overalls and easily withdrawn with one hand as you hang on aloft with the other. If the book were made totally waterproof then it could not be more improved upon for those miserable rainy days at the docks or out in the harbor. This very useful book ought to be found in every prudent riggers tool bag.

An excellent book on most aspects of knot tying. From rope types and descriptions to rope storage techniques this book provides all the essential information that the novice or intermediate knot tying individual would find practical. The pages are filled with crisp attractive photographs of knots in their various stages. The only weakness is that some knots are poorly represented pictorially making it increasingly difficult to tie. In summary I found the book very useful and it is highly recommended.