by Barbara Merry and John Darwin,
This is a good book, taking in techniques with modern braided rope, even double braided and parallel core, showing how to eye-splice an eight-plait rope or how to make a short splice. It’s very informative with 150 illustrations and 25 photos showing how things are done. Importantly it includes some of the slippery stuff like Dyneema, Spectra and Kevlar.
The book originates in America, so naturally some of the language is different – our back splice, for instance, they call an end splice but that is to be niggling. But then there is a nifty ring splice in here, and a rope-to-chain splice plus a good self-made safety harness. The wire splicing for shrouds and stays and rope to wire for halyards and so on are particularly useful for sailors wanting to get the right look for their rigging.
There’s a chapter on whipping and seizing and the third edition expands with some rope and knot projects like fenders and a bow pudding for instance.
It’s one of the best on the market.
Published by Adlard Coles Nautical, 2011, paperback, 256pp, £15.29 or as an ebook £16.51 www.bloomsbury.com/uk/