I have found some pampas grass leaves and had an idea that it would make good string as its very fibrous. I have searched the craft and bushcraft sections of the forum but to no avail. Has this subject been covered?
Pampas Grass String
- Thread starter Barney
- Start date
Hi Barney, I looked thru the articles section here and was surprised not to find one on making cordage. Maybe I missed it? There just has to be a thread on cordage here somewhere. Not sure if this is what you had in mind, don't wish to presume and all that,,,,
http://www.primitiveways.com/cordage.html
http://www.primitiveways.com/cordage.html
Hey Bravo4 thanks, I am aware of that technique although not practiced at it. The notes that you have kindly provided are far more in depth than my own. However I was thinking more along the lines of correct method of fiber extraction, perhaps I was a little vague originally.
Hey Barney, I've never worked with pampas grass myself but maybe no more processing is needed than to strip lengthwise?
here's another, deals with North American cordage but maybe some technique advice
http://www.primitiveways.com/cordage_in_North_America.html
here's another, deals with North American cordage but maybe some technique advice
http://www.primitiveways.com/cordage_in_North_America.html
Thanks, that was a good read. I will try splitting, pounding and retting for starters. One of those methods should get something usable at least. Thanks again.
Thats a great site going on there!
Thanks again.Thats a great site going on there!
I was showing some co-workers how to twist up cordage using some gross nasty carpet strands from a gross nasty carpet at work. It was pretty funny but actually made some pretty strong cord. We often get customers(bicycle shop) who ask for a bit of string to tie down their trunk(bicycle sticking out) and I told my co-workers to offer up the nasty carpet cordage. We all had a good laugh and right then someone comes in and asks, "would you happen to have a piece of string I could use to tie down my trunk?" We all looked at the nasty cordage hanging on the wall and just lost it. The lady thought we were nuts which is probably the case. I had to leave the room but I don't think anyone had the guts to offer her our urban bushcrafted cordage.
Show us how you do with your pampas grass
Show us how you do with your pampas grass
Before you waste loads of time doing the different ways of refining your fibres, tie some of the fibres into an overhand knot and pull tight. If it cuts itself in half then the fibres are useless for tying knots. I found this with some fibres I got from some leaves The Ratbag gave me. I spent weeks retting and combing and got some really long, gorgeous looking fibres. I twisted one up into cordage, just a simple 2 ply thread and it was really strong. I tied it around something and it snapped so easily. It did the same with the cordage braided and laid up in 4 ply, etc cordages! All that time wasted!
