The Book of Knots: How to Tie 200 Practical Knots

Which is stronger, an Englishman's Loop or a Spanish Bowline? When mountaineering, should you trust your life to a Bachman Knot or a Clove Hitch? What's more permanent, a Needle Knot or a Butterfly Bend? Well, even if you can't tell an Icicle Hitch from a Frost Knot, you'll soon know these answers cold with this fully illustrated guide to more than 200 practical knots. Basic bends, loops and hitches are shown, along with specialized lashings, coils, stoppers, whippings and splices suitable for purposes as diverse as tying livestock, securing small boats and raising heavy loads. Learning to tie these knots is a cinch, with hundreds of color illustrations that demonstrate every bend, tuck and twist of the rope. Knots are rated for strength, security, and ease of both tying and untying, and concise historical information is also included, explaining both the origin and specific uses for the knots.