Natural Cordage

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Bear Stone

Tenderfoot
Jan 11, 2004
70
0
Birmingham UK
Hi everyone,

What's happened to the hot tips section of the forum? I haven't been on for a while - has it been dis-continued?

Anyway, I have a hot tip for plant fibre cordage. Like a lot of you guys my favourite is nettle but find it wears quicky if not treated some how...

1. Have some prepared fibre to hand - no more than half a nettle stem (longways).

2. Make the fibres as loose as you can.

3. Holding both ends, put the fibres over your head against your hair (this works better if you haven't washed your hair for a couple of days).

4. Run the fibres back and forth through your hair. Do this for a minute or two SLOWLY, then turn the fibres over and do the other side.

5. To do the ends; draw them through your hair while holding them down in your hair with your free hand.

After doing this the fibres become soft, pliable, easier to twist and water resistant which greatly increases the strength ( by up to half in my tests) and life of the fibre; but the hair does have to be oily enough and you will want to wash it when your done!
I only discovered (re-discovered?) this a few weeks ago and haven't had time to do thorough testing. I don't really know if the hair oil rotts the fibres. So far, I don't believe it does...
Maybe archers keeping the bow string under their hats had a purpose.

Cheers,

Bear Stone
 

gurthang

Member
Nov 22, 2004
37
1
Devon/Hampshire
I use nettles most of the time and find that does everything I have required of it. they are even strong enough for snares (rabbits anyway and you dont have to wory about catching badgers or foxes by mistake cause they just snap it off or chew through it) I've used spruce roots before as well but not clematis but theres loads of it here so I'll have to try soon.
 

Moonraker

Need to contact Admin...
Aug 20, 2004
1,190
18
61
Dorset & France
I saw this page yesterday with photos guide to make elm cordage ( sadly most mature Elm have gone from the British countryside but suitable suckers can be found in their place in hedgerows)

www.primitiv.nu - Twisted Fibres

Check out the rest of the ( www.primitiv.nu and select English version) site for some nice stuff on primitive tools etc and dig the groovy music on the home page :wink:
 

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