Two Knotty Boys Showing You the Ropes: A Step-by-Step, Illustrated Guide for Tying Sensual and Decorative Rope Bondage

by Two Knotty Boys, Two Knotty Boys

When Two Knotty Boys, Dan and J. D., began teaching rope bondage together in 1999, they discovered that most people learn best when they're shown — close up, step by step, and repeatedly — how to tie basic knots and combine them into bondage techniques. It is this learning process that they duplicate in this book. With the help of world-renowned photographer Larry Utley, they use over 750 photos and captions to explicate the soup-to-nuts techniques for turning great knots into great bondage that is safe, sensual, attractive, and effective. Readers can learn at their own pace, review whole techniques at a single glance, or even lay it flat on the table (beside their blindfolded partner) and follow along as they tie. Two Knotty Boys Showing You the Ropes appeals to those interested in improving the quality of their sex lives, not to mention aficionados of bondage and discipline/sadomasochism (BDSM), both curious newcomers and serious players alike.

Genres: BDSM, Sexuality, Nonfiction, Reference, Relationships, Erotica, Adult

79 pages, Paperback

First published November 20, 2006

Reviews

[Nina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Safety guidelines (!), simple techniques, knots, you find it all in this book. There are black and white pictures to help understand how to tie the different knots, and if anything, this is a very useful book for all who are into bondage or intricate, beautiful rope patterns. Well, you can use the same knots outside the bedroom, if you want to hang flowerpots somewhere, just saying. You also find some suggested reading, which is not only about bondage, but also about bdsm in general. This is definitely a great book if you like this kind of topic.
5 out of 5 stars.

[inactive · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a functional how-to guide on rope bondage - useful! Shows you in well-written instructions and photos how to do a variety of knots/ties. It's very focused on safety, which is always A+++ in this scene. I support anything that promotes safe, sane & consensual BDSM.

Only three stars because it's not gender inclusive at all. Several times throughout the instructions talk about "male" or "female" body parts. It's transphobic language - how difficult is it to say "balls and cock" instead of "male genitals"? There are males who don't have those parts, and there are females and nonbinary folks who have, for example, penises. It's also really, really disheartening and even triggering, as a nonbinary person, to keep coming across language like "he or she" (instead of "they" - seriously, not only is it more inclusive, it's shorter to write!) and "male or female" (how about "person"?). Like, OK, I just don't exist. Trans people don't exist. That's what it feels like.

However, I'm aware that plenty of cis people use transphobic language without ever realising it's transphobic, so I'm giving Two Knotty Boys the benefit of the doubt. It is a very good, practical manual for people interested in rope bondage. Just a warning that it's not trans inclusive.

[Joe Barret · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good reference for learning rope, expected a little more

[M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Step-by-step is right. In color photos with clear description and suggested uses of knots. Covers basic knots, how to tie up specific body parts, how to do harnesses, how to knot stuff to other stuff-- kind of something for everyone. Maybe some people have the idea that rope bondage is something to do with learning to rig someone up in an entire piece start-to-finish, but it's more about learning basics and building on that, like any skill. This book opens with about ten different knots that serve as building blocks for more complex pieces, which you can practice (and practice again) without needing a body. Past that, I recommend having someone willing and patient come over for you to practice more involved ties. ^_~

[Artemis · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm clearly too queer for Two Knotty Boys and don't understand what the hype is all about, even if you place the book and authors in their original time frame (i.e. early 2000's, very little written then on shibari and bondage in the way of visual step-by-step books)

[Nancy Gruttman-Tyler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun book to read with interesting ties.

[Douglas Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

As good on the Kindle as in print.

I've had the print book for years, but wanted a mobile version. Was not disappointed. Excellent reference book for both the novice and the expert.

[talah · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is one of my fave books on rope so far. pictures + instructions are concise and helpful, and they lay great foundational groundwork on basic and decorative ties (this book is the reason i can successfully do a double coin knot face cage, which quickly has becom one of my fave, most meditative ties !!!), and there are fun and imaginative ties that i hadn’t seen anywhere else

i have the same issue w this book as i do w other rope books: not enuf fat models

[Steven Allen · Rating 3 out of 5]

meh - pictures are decent and a good primer for basic knots. Some good information, but a fairly basic erotic bondage book. Could be a handy reference for rarely used knots or those looking to improve their knotty knowledge. Not something that I will purchase, but if I found a good used hardcover edition, I might grab it.

[Galadriel · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were some fun knots in there, but I found the safety section quite thinly written, and there was practically nothing on proper rope handling. So while it's not an advanced book, it is not appropriate for complete beginners either.
Also, what was up with just snipping the ends of the leftover rope?! This stuff is expensive, dudes!

[Bob Phule · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good fast read with enough details to try.

[Booker · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe it's just me, but everything could have been much better prepared visually. I found a lot of the entries difficult to follow. Idk. YouTube has served me better than books for shibari.

[Ada · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is how I got my start on Kinbaku and it's honestly great. Lots of great humor and step-by-step pictures that are useful even for experienced riggers.

[The Bookish Owl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple & straightforward, yet informative.

[Reggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

[Autumn Darling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Someone once told me they avoided this book because they were worried it was about two gay men tying each other up. The half naked girl on the cover (who happens to be bound) should have been his first clue that his prediction was dead wrong.

This is a straight forward "how-to" book on the art of rope bondage. Filled with practical knots, advice and tricks on how to bind your lover without cutting off circulation or causing rope burns.

[Tomas]

why not?

[Ed · Rating 4 out of 5]

great rope book ... very practical and w/ a variety of decorative and bondage stuff.

[Jonathanstray Stray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hot and useful.

[Squaddiebear · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very practical & tastefully illustrated - a great reference book

[Monkey · Rating 4 out of 5]

rope, knots...what-nots

[Mortalform · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good basic /beginner book, step by step images of each knot/tie are particularly helpful. Despite being a supposedly kinky book it's pretty tame but as a first guide has few flaws.

[Seamus · Rating 5 out of 5]

My only complaint about this book is that it wasn't long enough! Plenty of awesome pictures to detail every step and a great sense of humour. I would love to see these guys present in person.

[Kelly]

I've lost track of how many people have been asking me to do rope
work on them, so I cracked and have started practicing.

[Sheherazahde · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of pictures. Decorative and intricate ties. Step by Step instructions. The white nylon rope almost glows. I can't wait to try some of these out.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a good book to have if you are interested in learning some good knots and advice on how to use ropes safely and sensually.

[Lars Hachmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Humorvolle, nette Einführung ins Thema. Gute bebildert und anschaulich gestaltet, leider schwarz-weiß, kein Manko, da trotzdem gut zu erkennen. Als Einstieg für Spielerisches durchaus zu empfehlen.

[Troy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely necessary to peruse before any attempt to tie your partner.

[Xenith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually won this book at a play-party and own it. I can say that as hard as Shabari can be solo, this is a great instructional book for partners that wish to dabble more.

[Chris Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad but,


it's ok ,not what I was looking for, good for beginners. would recommend other books for a novice. good illustrations