Maritime Library // Seamanship & Rigging
Handbook of Knots (Des Pawson): The Complete Step-by-Step Seamanship Guide
One of the most practical, beautifully illustrated, and authoritative knotting manuals ever published. Written by Des Pawson, co-founder of the International Guild of Knot Tyers, this reference provides step-by-step color photographic sequences for tying over 100 essential maritime hitches, bends, loops, whippings, and wire splices.
Mastering Ropework: Practical Skills for Deck Officers & Seafarers
Authored by acclaimed rigging master Des Pawson (MBE) and produced by Dorling Kindersley (DK), this handbook sets the global benchmark for visual clarity. Every knot is photographed stage-by-stage using contrasting multi-colored lines, eliminating ambiguity between working ends, standing parts, and turns.
In commercial seafaring and modern yachting, knot selection directly affects deck safety and line longevity. This manual goes beyond decorative marlinespike ropework to analyze the working load behavior of modern synthetic cordage (nylon, polyester, HMPE/Dyneema), the percentage of breaking strain lost to specific bends, and which hitches can be cast off instantly under tension without jamming.
Knot Categories Covered in the Handbook:
- Hitches for Mooring & Spars: Clove Hitch, Round Turn & Two Half Hitches, Rolling Hitch (essential for stopper lines under load), and Cleat Hitching.
- Loops & Rescue Eyebolts: The Bowline (King of Knots), Water Bowline for wet cordage, Spanish Bowline, and Figure-of-Eight Loop for harness tie-ins.
- Bends for Joining Ropes: Reef Knot, Single & Double Sheet Bends for lines of unequal diameters, Carrick Bend, and the high-strength Hunter’s Bend.
- Stopper Knots: Standard Overhand, Figure-of-Eight, Stevedore Knot, and Heaving Line Knot to prevent running lines from unreeving through fairleads.
- Whippings & Seizings: Common whipping, Sailmaker’s whipping with needle, West Country whipping, and permanent rope end finishing.
- Splicing Techniques: Eye splices in three-strand laid rope, short and long splices, and core-to-sheath terminations in braided synthetic lines.
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DK Practical Guide (2004)
Handbook of Knots