A knotty problem...

This book should work

BSS955 5.95 BASIC ESSENTIALS OF KNOTS FOR THE OUTDOORS

Try this link for many books on the subject.

http://www.powells.com/subsection/NauticalKnots.html

I´d like to offer one additional reference to the ones already suggested, The Art of Knots by Marc P.G. Berthier. It´s got some neat hand drawings of sailor´s knots. Hey, it even shows how to make two different bow-tie knots for your next outing to the yacht club.

I don't know the author or printer, but there's a book out there called "The Art of the Japanese Knot." Any collection would be incomplete without this little gem!

Recommended visit: the Rope Walk at Chatham Historic Dockyard in Kent http://www.chdt.org.uk/. On view is Marc Brunel's machinery for making rope for the Royal Navy in the early part of the 19th Century. The building is a great length, and has a tramway running through it to carry the rope-making machine, which is demonstrated on occasions.

"Knots, splices and fancy work" by I don't know who (sorry, it's in a box at present) has been my bible for many years.

To add a personal opinion, I think basic knots should be taught at school. Ok, Ok they can't add up but at least they can tie a bowline, if not spell it!

The scouts and guides movements provide an environment worldwhide where a wide range of practical outdoor skills are taught, including knots.

Boat users need to know how and when to use:

• The sheet bend
• The reef
• The bowline
• The sheepshank

as a bare minimum.

What's the poor clove hitch done to warrant exclusion, considering it's probably the worlds most used knot (a million truck drivers can't be wrong), or are you being pedantic as it's knot akcherly a knot?!

Reply to nutwood: With regard to your quote.

Wasn't Neville Shute the author of a book called "Sliderule" and it was about the building of dirigibles (airships) in the early days of aviation?

Hankt

Certainly was. Excellent read!

Try Amazon or Barnes& Noble for the Book of Knots. Great illustrations. May not be in print but probably available from secondary sources of used books.

Neville Shute: Australian: "On The Beach" "Trustie in the Toolroom" and I think "(something) Alice Springs". Good author.

My uncle built a board with over one hundred and ten different knots in miniture as a sea scout back in the fifties. Wish I had keep it.

It may be a bit simple for your needs, but it is a great site for virtual knot tieing. http://www.animatedknots.com/index.php?LogoImage=LogoGrog.jpg&Website=www.grogono.com

hi there ; ashleys book of knots is my reference book regards knots / covers many trades or crafts / about 3600 different knots / been using it for 35 yrs now / klystron

Two good starting point:

Boy Scout Handbooks (the older issue, the better...even going back to Powel in Victorian England)

Navy manuals and books (up to the time of the great wars about mid-19th century)