Page 14 - The Complete Rigger’s Apprentice

material on purposes, origins, and applications. In The strength of Brion’s writing is that he is a rig-
some ways, Brion Toss’s pitch is charming; in others ger who can and wants to write. He wields the mar-
it is profound. In no way is it boring. lingspike he speaks about, gets tar on his hands, and
has to solve the problems that are given to him. He
April 1992 is also aware of the wide body of knowledge nearly
lost, of innovators and innovations, and wishes to
DES PAWSON pass on to the world all those tips, tricks, and tech-
niques that he has learnt from others. He is him-
nce every few generations a writer comes along self an innovator who is steeped in the past, taking
Owho adds to the real body of knowledge avail- from that past and adding to the future. He thinks
able to the ropeworking world, and here indeed is through everything he writes about, analysing each
a first-class practical book on rigging. When I first twist of a wrist, each turn or hitch, so showing that
read articles by Brion Toss in the American mag- he understands it, as well as the implications of why
azine WoodenBoat, I was excited by the prospect and how he can pass on this knowledge. All this is
of a promised book. When it came, The Rigger’s done with great joy, aided by the fine illustrations of
Apprentice, I was not disappointed. Eight years Robert Shetterly, making a valuable aid to anyone
later when it was followed by The Rigger’s Locker, who wishes to work on and understand their rig-
I learnt even more. Brion is not a man to stand idle, ging. How lucky we are to be able to read this book
for in combining these two books in the volume you and gain so much from it.
now hold, he has continued to refine and add fur-
ther information as he has discovered it. March 1997

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