Knots for the Cutby Ben SelfeThe Knot Krazy Manual of Knot Tying, titled Knots for the Cut, is for canal narrowboat owners and other perfectionists. Filled with Ben Selfe’s knot-tying knowledge and expertise, information is conveyed in a friendly, easy-to-follow style with superbly clear original drawings. It has the authority and accessibility of a car manual and is destined to become a Classic of the waterways. According to the Inland Waterways Association, there are over 30,000 boats on Britain's inland waterways. Most owners soon bond with their vessel and take a pride in doing things correctly, with historical authenticity and accuracy. The most surprising people will take the time and care to ‘cheese down’ - coil a rope in a tight circle on the roof - and would be ashamed to leave it in a wet tangle that could actually cost them their lives in an emergency. Likewise, they like their knots to be reliable, elegant and accurate. They take the trouble to learn knot tying, many of them at one of the author’s knot-tying workshops. In addition, there are over 1600 members of the International Guild of Knot Tyers, who will not consider their collection complete without this Classic. When the book is published in late 2007 or early 2008, watch out for articles about the book and its author in the media. Magazines, newspapers, radio and TV all love features and interviews with genuine characters such as Ben. He is a classic and "Knots for the Cut" is destined to become a Classic too, the must-have bible for canal boat owners and other perfectionists throughout the UK. Don’t be surprised if a second book follows. Once Knots for the Cut has gone to press, Ben could well be persuaded to write his biography, an amalgamation of his fascinating history, a colourful life, his spiritualist beliefs and his after-dinner speeches. What better title for such a biography than the affectionate name by which he is known, Junction Ben? Here are a couple of pages from Knots for the Cut
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