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Guide to Rope Types and Some Places to Get Them
So, one question I get asked by at least one new person every time I talk about rope is, “What kind of rope should I get?” (Exact phrasing varies.)
My answer is usually something vague and slightly unhelpful like, “Well, that depends…”
(This is how I answer a lot of rope questions.)
I’ve decided to write up a guide to the most common kinds of rope, their pros and cons, and some places you can buy them specifically for kink purposes. The usual diameter for most bondage rope is 5 or 6 mm, depending on preference; some places will go up to 7 or 8 mm but at that thickness it can be hard to work with and get very bulky. Rope will either be braided or twisted in construction. Twisted ropes leave good rope marks and have more bite to them, while braided ropes (usually with a core of some kind) are more solid and have less stretch, and also do not run the risk of high-stranding or opening up while in use.
Keep in mind that what some people (me) consider to be a pro of certain kinds of rope, others might find to be a disadvantage. Try a few kinds, use different kinds for different things, learn about all the possible types available to you and what you can/can’t do with them!
Natural Fiber
The common natural fiber types used for bondage are hemp, jute, and cotton. Other materials include bamboo, silk, and linen, but they are less common and I wouldn’t necessarily recommend them for beginners. There is also coconut, palm frond, and sisal rope, but those are specifically for torture techniques, not general use.
Pros of natural fibers:
-They have an innate grip or bite to them which allows the rigger to use friction to hold rope in place when tying, rather than relying entirely on knots.
- They have a higher burn point than synthetic ropes, so it’s harder to give your bottom rope burn (exception: woven cotton rope such as the kind which is sold as ‘bondage rope’ by sex toy companies. This stuff has a very low burn point.)
-They have less stretch than most synthetics, so when you tie them they stay at that tension, more or less, making it harder to wriggle out of (exception: braided cotton, which is very stretchy.)
Cons
- Being natural instead of man-made, there really isn’t a way to 100% know how strong any given piece of rope is. Most sellers/manufacturers have tested them to a reasonable level of surety, but there could be weaknesses in the fibers that aren’t apparent.
-Some people have hemp or jute allergies, or sensitivities to the products used to treat them.
-Unless you buy them pre-conditioned, you might have to put time into defuzzing and treating them before use, otherwise they are very stiff and scratchy.
- Washing and drying them can be a pain; you have to dry them under tension so they don’t shrink down, and washing can weaken them. They also aren’t great for using in water bondage, as they are very hard to untie when soaked.
Hemp
Hemp is a really common rope material for shibari and Western-style bondage. It’s strong, soft when broken in, and has a pleasant weight to it that some bottoms enjoy. It has a grassy/horsey scent as well, which some people love and some people hate. I like hemp for long-term wearable bondage or bondage for sleeping in because of how soft it is when worn in. It takes dye better than jute does, so finding it in pretty colors is easier. There is also a synthetic version of hemp available, called Hempex, which is made of polyester to mimic the look and feel of hemp while retaining the strength of synthetic rope.
Jute
Jute is pretty much the rope du jour in the Shibari world at the moment. It’s much lighter than hemp, allowing for faster tying and carrying around more of it without having a bag that weighs a ton. Jute doesn’t have the cloth-like softness of hemp; it tends to be a bit scratchier even when broken in. It isn’t quite as strong as hemp, either, but you can find jute that has been reinforced with nylon or Dyneema for strength. I use jute in most of my tying, with reinforced jute for my suspension lines.
Most jute and hemp rope sold for bondage is twisted, but it is possible to find braided varieties.
Cotton
Commonly sold as a starter sex rope, cotton is soft, stretchy, and cheap. It is generally not as strong as hemp or jute so is rarely used for suspensions. It can be found or dyed in many colors. Its softness means it really compresses under tension, so tying knots very tightly can mean spending ages getting them undone; this goes extra if it’s wet. It’s easily washable and easy to come by. I honestly barely use it, except to give to Peer Rope people for practice rope.
Synthetics
There are two main kinds of synthetic ropes used for bondage — nylon and MFP (multi-filament polypropelene), though polyester rope is also available from some sellers. Synthetic rope is much more common in Western-style bondage than in Shibari, and the ties used there are more suited to its properties. Braided construction is more common in synthetic ropes but it is possible to find twisted varieties if you’re going for rope marks. You’ll usually find synthetics for bondage sold in 5/16” or 1/4” diameters, roughly comparable to 5mm and 6mm.
Pros
- Synthetic rope is manufactured from man-made materials, so it is consistent in size and strength. Apart from possible manufacturing error, all pieces of a rope of a given diameter should have the same load bearing capabilities. Synthetic rope is much stronger and more reliable than natural fiber.
-Synthetics come in all the colors of the rainbow, and won’t fade or bleed dye the way dyed natural fibers do.
-Synthetics are easy to care for, usually machine washable and hang to dry with no ill effects. This makes them ideal for rope play around bodily fluids or water. They also don’t compact when wet the way natural fibers do, retaining their shape and slickness, so they are easier to untie when wet.
-You don’t have to treat or break in synthetics. They’re ready to go!
Cons
-Synthetics are slick and slippery; you cannot depend on friction to hold things in place the way you can with natural fibers.
-It is much easier to give someone rope burn with synthetic ropes, so be aware when pulling rope quickly over skin or between parts of the body. Even though they feel softer and smoother than the naturals, they heat up faster.
-Some bottoms who are used to natural fibers really don’t like synthetics (this is mostly a snobbery issue, in fairness.)
Nylon
Nylon is stronger than MFP, while still feeling slightly softer and more sensual. 100% nylon rope can be great for bottoms with sensitivities to other materials. It’s not as water-resistant as MFP but is still good for wet or messy play. It is stretchier than natural fibers.
MFP
Not as strong as nylon, but with less stretch as well for more accurate tension. MFP repels water, making it ideal for wet or messy play and the ensuring cleanup.
Polyester
Polyester has a softer, warmer feel than the other two and a slightly higher burn point (though still lower than natural fibers). It is stronger than nylon and MFP.
As with everything in rope, for each point I’ve made above, you can find someone who disagrees. Do your own research, try things, and come to your own conclusions.
Now where to get all these marvellous kinds of rope?
Here are some places in the UK and the US where you can get rope. I’ve added a note with each about what kinds of rope they sell/specialize in. This is not an exhaustive list by any means; this is just a few that I know and/or have experience with. I’m sorry if I’ve left out your favorite local artisan who makes hand-twisted spiderweb and unicorn-hair rope that glows in the dark.
UK/EU
Esinem: http://esinem-rope.com/ (cotton, hemp, and jute)
Bind Me: http://ift.tt/1wwpfJ8 (hemp and jute, some colors)
Jakara: http://ift.tt/ZunpxD (jute and hemp)
Jaderope UK: http://ift.tt/1qXnzqi (jute, hemp, cotton, Hempex, synthetics)
US
De Giotto rope: http://ift.tt/1wwpion (hemp, jute, bamboo, lots of colors)
Erin Houdini: http://ift.tt/1wwpfJc (hemp and nylon, lots of colors including UV reactive)
Rainbow Ropes: http://ift.tt/1wwpfJf (MFP and hemp, lots of colors)
Twisted Monk: http://ift.tt/ZunpxJ (hemp, some colors)
Boss Bondage: http://ift.tt/1wwpfJp (hemp and jute, lots of colors)
Jaderope US: http://ift.tt/1wwpioy (jute, hemp, cotton, Hempex, synthetics)
M0co: http://ift.tt/ZunpO0 (jute)
MauiKink: http://mauikink.com/ (hemp, jute, exotics)
via:Tumblr http://ift.tt/1wwpfZH
Guide to Rope Types and Some Places to Get Them
So, one question I get asked by at least one new person every time I talk about rope is, “What kind of rope should I get?” (Exact phrasing varies.)
My answer is usually something vague and slightly unhelpful like, “Well, that depends…”
(This is how I answer a lot of rope questions.)
I’ve decided to write up a guide to the most common kinds of rope, their pros and cons, and some places you can buy them specifically for kink purposes. The usual diameter for most bondage rope is 5 or 6 mm, depending on preference; some places will go up to 7 or 8 mm but at that thickness it can be hard to work with and get very bulky. Rope will either be braided or twisted in construction. Twisted ropes leave good rope marks and have more bite to them, while braided ropes (usually with a core of some kind) are more solid and have less stretch, and also do not run the risk of high-stranding or opening up while in use.
Keep in mind that what some people (me) consider to be a pro of certain kinds of rope, others might find to be a disadvantage. Try a few kinds, use different kinds for different things, learn about all the possible types available to you and what you can/can’t do with them!
Natural Fiber
The common natural fiber types used for bondage are hemp, jute, and cotton. Other materials include bamboo, silk, and linen, but they are less common and I wouldn’t necessarily recommend them for beginners. There is also coconut, palm frond, and sisal rope, but those are specifically for torture techniques, not general use.
Pros of natural fibers:
-They have an innate grip or bite to them which allows the rigger to use friction to hold rope in place when tying, rather than relying entirely on knots.
- They have a higher burn point than synthetic ropes, so it’s harder to give your bottom rope burn (exception: woven cotton rope such as the kind which is sold as ‘bondage rope’ by sex toy companies. This stuff has a very low burn point.)
-They have less stretch than most synthetics, so when you tie them they stay at that tension, more or less, making it harder to wriggle out of (exception: braided cotton, which is very stretchy.)
Cons
- Being natural instead of man-made, there really isn’t a way to 100% know how strong any given piece of rope is. Most sellers/manufacturers have tested them to a reasonable level of surety, but there could be weaknesses in the fibers that aren’t apparent.
-Some people have hemp or jute allergies, or sensitivities to the products used to treat them.
-Unless you buy them pre-conditioned, you might have to put time into defuzzing and treating them before use, otherwise they are very stiff and scratchy.
- Washing and drying them can be a pain; you have to dry them under tension so they don’t shrink down, and washing can weaken them. They also aren’t great for using in water bondage, as they are very hard to untie when soaked.
Hemp
Hemp is a really common rope material for shibari and Western-style bondage. It’s strong, soft when broken in, and has a pleasant weight to it that some bottoms enjoy. It has a grassy/horsey scent as well, which some people love and some people hate. I like hemp for long-term wearable bondage or bondage for sleeping in because of how soft it is when worn in. It takes dye better than jute does, so finding it in pretty colors is easier. There is also a synthetic version of hemp available, called Hempex, which is made of polyester to mimic the look and feel of hemp while retaining the strength of synthetic rope.
Jute
Jute is pretty much the rope du jour in the Shibari world at the moment. It’s much lighter than hemp, allowing for faster tying and carrying around more of it without having a bag that weighs a ton. Jute doesn’t have the cloth-like softness of hemp; it tends to be a bit scratchier even when broken in. It isn’t quite as strong as hemp, either, but you can find jute that has been reinforced with nylon or Dyneema for strength. I use jute in most of my tying, with reinforced jute for my suspension lines.
Most jute and hemp rope sold for bondage is twisted, but it is possible to find braided varieties.
Cotton
Commonly sold as a starter sex rope, cotton is soft, stretchy, and cheap. It is generally not as strong as hemp or jute so is rarely used for suspensions. It can be found or dyed in many colors. Its softness means it really compresses under tension, so tying knots very tightly can mean spending ages getting them undone; this goes extra if it’s wet. It’s easily washable and easy to come by. I honestly barely use it, except to give to Peer Rope people for practice rope.
Synthetics
There are two main kinds of synthetic ropes used for bondage — nylon and MFP (multi-filament polypropelene), though polyester rope is also available from some sellers. Synthetic rope is much more common in Western-style bondage than in Shibari, and the ties used there are more suited to its properties. Braided construction is more common in synthetic ropes but it is possible to find twisted varieties if you’re going for rope marks. You’ll usually find synthetics for bondage sold in 5/16” or 1/4” diameters, roughly comparable to 5mm and 6mm.
Pros
- Synthetic rope is manufactured from man-made materials, so it is consistent in size and strength. Apart from possible manufacturing error, all pieces of a rope of a given diameter should have the same load bearing capabilities. Synthetic rope is much stronger and more reliable than natural fiber.
-Synthetics come in all the colors of the rainbow, and won’t fade or bleed dye the way dyed natural fibers do.
-Synthetics are easy to care for, usually machine washable and hang to dry with no ill effects. This makes them ideal for rope play around bodily fluids or water. They also don’t compact when wet the way natural fibers do, retaining their shape and slickness, so they are easier to untie when wet.
-You don’t have to treat or break in synthetics. They’re ready to go!
Cons
-Synthetics are slick and slippery; you cannot depend on friction to hold things in place the way you can with natural fibers.
-It is much easier to give someone rope burn with synthetic ropes, so be aware when pulling rope quickly over skin or between parts of the body. Even though they feel softer and smoother than the naturals, they heat up faster.
-Some bottoms who are used to natural fibers really don’t like synthetics (this is mostly a snobbery issue, in fairness.)
Nylon
Nylon is stronger than MFP, while still feeling slightly softer and more sensual. 100% nylon rope can be great for bottoms with sensitivities to other materials. It’s not as water-resistant as MFP but is still good for wet or messy play. It is stretchier than natural fibers.
MFP
Not as strong as nylon, but with less stretch as well for more accurate tension. MFP repels water, making it ideal for wet or messy play and the ensuring cleanup.
Polyester
Polyester has a softer, warmer feel than the other two and a slightly higher burn point (though still lower than natural fibers). It is stronger than nylon and MFP.
As with everything in rope, for each point I’ve made above, you can find someone who disagrees. Do your own research, try things, and come to your own conclusions.
Now where to get all these marvellous kinds of rope?
Here are some places in the UK and the US where you can get rope. I’ve added a note with each about what kinds of rope they sell/specialize in. This is not an exhaustive list by any means; this is just a few that I know and/or have experience with. I’m sorry if I’ve left out your favorite local artisan who makes hand-twisted spiderweb and unicorn-hair rope that glows in the dark.
UK/EU
Esinem: http://esinem-rope.com/ (cotton, hemp, and jute)
Bind Me: http://ift.tt/1wwpfJ8 (hemp and jute, some colors)
Jakara: http://ift.tt/ZunpxD (jute and hemp)
Jaderope UK: http://ift.tt/1qXnzqi (jute, hemp, cotton, Hempex, synthetics)
US
De Giotto rope: http://ift.tt/1wwpion (hemp, jute, bamboo, lots of colors)
Erin Houdini: http://ift.tt/1wwpfJc (hemp and nylon, lots of colors including UV reactive)
Rainbow Ropes: http://ift.tt/1wwpfJf (MFP and hemp, lots of colors)
Twisted Monk: http://ift.tt/ZunpxJ (hemp, some colors)
Boss Bondage: http://ift.tt/1wwpfJp (hemp and jute, lots of colors)
Jaderope US: http://ift.tt/1wwpioy (jute, hemp, cotton, Hempex, synthetics)
M0co: http://ift.tt/ZunpO0 (jute)
MauiKink: http://mauikink.com/ (hemp, jute, exotics)
via:Tumblr http://ift.tt/1wwpfZH
