The Marlinspike Sailor

Excellent book, not only is it a great resource for knot tying for any skill level from noob to professional, it is entertaining, humorous, and just interesting because of some of the things it relates. The author includes some interesting and funny anecdotes from his experiences being a mariner, and these stories really give a sense of how things were for mariners in a different time (although not THAt long ago). The illustrations are quite honestly amazing, the author truly knows how to draw knots and rope, which is a very difficult thing to do. I have a good few books on knot tying, but this is by far my favorite, and is the one I alwaysgo right to and open up when I have a me ory lapse on how to tie something. It would be nice for the book to include more simple knots and patterns that have become more popular recently, but you can't have everything, and it wasn't written recently. Also, the author assumes the audience has some basic knowledge of working with rope, so that is likely why there isn't more space given to the most basic of knots and techniques. There is sill enough basic stuff included for someone completely new to tying to pick up this book and use it as a sole resource for developing a fairly strong grasp of tying different decorative knots and patterns. Also includes instructions on how to make quite a few cool little things like buouy wraps and bell ringers.

It is not for beginners, as a how-to so much of basic sailor knots, for that you need a basic to advanced knotbook, but it shows complex knots, a very easy way to learn to the Turks Heads and a myriad of sea/sailor related projects, both inventive and traditional. The illustrations are very good and the text is very interesting reading. It is like Herman Melville in tone, to me, reminding me of the age-old uses of rope, though it fits nicely in the modern realm, of a knot-work book, and can greatly add to your skills as you learn and improvise on the various projects mentioned. Some go beyond knot-work in sailing and other practical things. So if increasing your knowledge (it has nice descriptions of the Star Knot, Matthew Walker, and various others) and gaining some insight into the days of old, and ways to make projects that still have use and beauty in the modern time this is ONE great book to own. I was very pleased for the price. Hervey Garrett Smith did a great job and the illustrations as he points out he put them in his book because others he found were not clear, and they are a beauty too look at too. If you are just getting into Marlinspike Seasmanship/Ropework Crafts, this is a great book. I take about three with me or keep them close at hand, along with my ropework kit, and this is one of them. & his other book.

The Marlinspike Sailor is a classic in every sense of the word. Written by a life-long sailor and nautical illustrator, it not only gives the history of each item described, but presents each knot, bend and hitch in such a clear fashion. The chapter on the star knot is an excellent example This book was the ONLY one to describe the knot step-by-step. I was able to tie a serviceable star knot after 2 tries, and after 3 it was perfect. The chapters on the short and long splice are mostly for historical interest (as three strand laid line is seldom used in sailing now) but it is interesting to read about. Finally the non-decorative knots that Mr. Smith felt were essential for every sailor I heartily agree with; the ones he chose are indeed the ones I find myself using over and over. A word must be said about the writing style. Clear and easy to follow, but written in a puckish, engaging manner. It comes across quite clearly that Mr. Smith was a true sailor. We shall not see his like again.

The information is interesting and the instruction is as clear as expected for the items within, but things were mentioned that had no instruction as though they were simply for historical or passing value. As an example, the sea chest had average sizing but no instruction on making one. So then simply it was describing a wood box bigger than a breadbox. OKay…moving on then… was the same with describing the stitching of the canvas items causing me to then look for instruction in other resources.

It's a quick introduction to the world of knotting, but moreso to the world of yachtsmanship. The illustrations are endlessly helpful in getting a handle on visualizing the various procedures. The written instructions are written in an educated verbiage that some might struggle with, but this is nothing that can't be solved with some help from a dictionary. The dry wit and overall candor of the text is quite refreshing. Since most informative texts are rather plain and seem unsympathetic to a layperson's interpretation, it does a heart good to encounter such thoughtful work. If nothing else, the book's levity will keep a complete neophyte grounded in the learning process, rather than giving up before he's even begun. As you can tell, Smith's writing has taken its effect on me, in more ways than one.

I got this to replace my childhood copy. Now my kids get to grow up learning from the same book that taught me! Beautifully printed just like my first addition copy I had so many years ago

I sail, I macramé, I can't see how sailors did this on a boat! Given lots of Stable space, I can do everything in this book with the nice, clear instructions and illustrations. I don't have a different book on decorative knots to compare this to, so I can't say if this book is the best of the decorative knot books... or knot! I can say I used it to add a few knots to my repertoire and have turned out some nice items with knots, like a chair back and seat. Unless you already have other books of this type, it will probably work well for you too.

There are 10 kinds of people in this world, those who know binary and those who do not. Similarly with sailors. There are sailors who just want the most modern, and most technically advanced solution and there are sailors who really enjoy "traditional" methods. This book is for the latter of those two populations. When I read this book, I can smell pine-tar, manila rope, sea salt, and sweat. I can hear the creaking of oak planking, Douglas fir spars, and Sea Chanties. I think I've read this book cover to cover 100 times and I still find it useful! In addition, this book has a lot of great bits of advice for improving the operation of your boat. Also, even if you are in the former camp, knowing some of the tricks HGS teaches can save you and your boat in a pinch. So, pour yourself a mug of Grog, grab a hank of line, and turn your boat into work of nautical art!

Some other reviews have been less than charitable about this book. I disagree. This book was not published to be a comprehensive 'Bible' on fancy work. It's author's intention was to inform the beginner, in an entertaining manner, about some of the items that would have been made by the old sailors and to give them clear and easy to follow instructions on how to make some of them. It performs this function admirably. It is engagingly written, beautifully illustrated and personally I have found the pictures and text perfectly adequate to make many of the items within. If you are starting out making fancy work my advice would be to start with this book then go for something more meaty, such as Des Pawson's books which contain many more projects but that perhaps need the gentle introduction that The Marlinspike Sailor provides to get you going. Great for armchair sailors too! It is a pleasant and entertaining read and having been published in quite a large format, it will be useful for those with less than perfect eyesight as the illustrations are large and the text very clear. Well worth the small amount of money that it retails at.

Very good book, nice illustration, helpful for developing seamanship

Pour obtenir des précisions sur la Culture Maritime , ses Techniques et leur Histoire , les Origines... Ceci explique celà, le pourquoi du comment....

O livro apresenta boa qualidade. Gostaria que o mesmo apresentasse outra forma de encadernação além do tipo brochura. Além de trazer uma parte histórica em seu conteúdo, é bem didático.

My previous attempt to get this book from another seller was unsuccesful, so I'm happy to get it.