HOWB 024 – Brion Toss, author, teacher, legendary rigger, wooden boat lover - Interview - 03.01.12

When Brion took geometry in high school he thought to himself “I’ll never use this crap”. But he soon became fascinated with knots and realized that geometry was his friend. He was super proud of his first two knots (learned from poorly drawn illustrations in an urban survival book) – the sheet bend and square knot. When he showed these knots to a good friend, the friend cracked open his 690 page Encyclopedia Of Knots And Fancy Rope Work, and Brion officially dove headfirst into the world of knots.

In Brion’s own words, he was largely “holed up in the late 60’s tying knots”. First there was the fancy-work knots, then came the maritime knots. These knots led to the wooden boat festivals, which led to sailing, which led to rigging, which led to Brion Toss Yacht Riggers!

If you want to hear some down to earth talk about splices, seizes, lashings, geometry, physics, resolution of forces, humping, hogging, and an explanation for the ditty: “worm and parcel with the lay, turn and serve the other way”, you have come to the right place! 

ENJOY!

You can contact me at [email protected] to share you comments, feedback, stories, and wooden boat adventures.

Keep the bright side up and the barnacled side down - Wooden Boat Dan over and out :D

PS  Please note this podcast was recorded several years ago - some of the links, email addresses, phone numbers, and promos mentioned are outdated and no longer valid.