sennits and cockscombing: a book for the restorers
 

Hi All,

Coming out of lurking for a moment. I tripped over this book in a museum gift shop, and immediately thought of this website.

The book: Hervey Garrett Smith's The Marlinspike Sailor (International Marine, McGraw-Hill, original copyright 1960, currently in 16th printing). It's a book primarily about ropework and crafts for a boat, but more than any other book I've seen, it goes into how to make the complex sennits, cockscombs, and coachwhipping that we call "plaiting" when we see it on the hilt or scabbard of a sword. The pictures are clear, and the instructions appear straightforward. It's definitely aimed at beginners, which is a good thing.

This is a book for anyone who is trying to restore the fraying plait-work on the hilt of a moro kris or dha scabbard. While most of it isn't terribly applicable to us weapons enthusiasts, it's fun to read. It's also pretty cheap, and available on Amazon.com

Enjoy!

F

Thanks! Just ordered a used copy from Amazon.

Steve