Rope

[Lady_In_Black]

I have a few questions about rope...

How do I judge the length I will need for a certain thing? Or is it best to get way more then I assume I will need, actually try it out, mark where it is that it needs to end, with a few extra inches, and then cut it? Or do I get some yarn or something...but I can see that not working too well if you factor in the thickness and how much knots would take up.

How do I make it so the ends wont unravel? I think the rope I want it nylon, so do I just melt it? I think I read something about a rubber/plastic/something liquid that you dip the end in, and it drys and stops it from unraveling.

What is a good thickness? And do different weaves work better? Like, do they fray less easily?

I am looking for something soft, would that be nylon, or something else?

What is the best way to store rope?

And importantly, are there any (free) sites that show (with pictures) instructions on basic bondage knots?

 

[chris9]

This is the link to our library section on bondage.
You'll probably find some of the answers to your questions.
Maybe some others drop by to give you their favourite sites on 'how to' do the bondage. It'll probably a good idea to get all those links together in one place.
You can also google 'shibari' which should give you some sites on tying people up.

 

[@}-}rebecca----]

Kinbaku Site ~ including basic tutorials

www.nawashi.com

Troop 9 ~ animated guide to knot-tying skills

http://www.troop9.org/?s=knots/index

 

[catalina_francisco]

Time is against me at the moment, but if you want soft I would go for cotton rope. It is soft, dependable, inexpensive, washable, and for someone with allergies like moi, it is basically the only remotely safe option. Nylon can have its problems, some of them not being very good ones.

Catalina

 

[RJMasters]

I have a few questions about rope...

How do I judge the length I will need for a certain thing? Or is it best to get way more then I assume I will need, actually try it out, mark where it is that it needs to end, with a few extra inches, and then cut it? Or do I get some yarn or something...but I can see that not working too well if you factor in the thickness and how much knots would take up.

I recommend tying it out so you can get a more percise guess as to the length you will need. There are many ways you can mark the rope. I recommend that you mark your rope in the center. I mark mine with a needle and a color thread used for cross-stitching(its a bit thicker than normal thread), You can just dot it with a permant marker too, just place a dot on 3 sides so it can be spotted no matter how the rope lays.

How do I make it so the ends wont unravel? I think the rope I want it nylon, so do I just melt it? I think I read something about a rubber/plastic/something liquid that you dip the end in, and it drys and stops it from unraveling.

Yes this is called "tool dip" or "cool tool- Plasti Dip"
http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/000210.php

What is a good thickness? And do different weaves work better? Like, do they fray less easily?

Depends on what you are going to use it for. I like to fold a 3/8 size and double it up. I use thicker rope like my 3/4 for body harness and the 3/8 doubled up for decorative design.

I am looking for something soft, would that be nylon, or something else?

I have been using a hallow nylon and like it, however first chance I can get I am getting me some hemp(treated)

What is the best way to store rope?

In loose coils laid flat in a dry area.

And importantly, are there any (free) sites that show (with pictures) instructions on basic bondage knots?

 

[Betticus]

I would go with 3/4 inch raw hemp rope. That should tear something up.

 

[Ebonyfire]

I buy the cheap cotton rope that I can wash, and if I need to I can throw it away.

I buy 200 Ft, and I cut it into 2 10 ft ,4 20 ft, and 2 50 ft. lengths. I bind the ends with green tape, and I mark each center with a black permanent marker.


And I coil it and store in my footlocker where I keep my toys.

 

[satindesire]

I'm about to get some rope myself...both my Dom and I are new to Bondage but we're very interested in it, and I especially find it extremely erotic.

Since I'm going to go ahead and get some lengths of cotton rope, as per above, should I -wash- it (Is so, how?), or is there a best way to care for the rope besides storing it in loose coils?

I don't mean to hijack but I was really going to make a thread like this myself just so I could ask these questions, I appreciate it being premade already!

 

[catalina_francisco]

I throw our cotton ropes in the washing machine on the gentle cycle. He has a neat way of storing them which is folding into 1/4 legth (4 rope widths) and looping them through over and over resembling a plaiting of sorts. They then hang on the spreader bar which is hanging on the wall at the end of the bed.

Catalina

 

[satindesire]

And there's not and problems with unraveling or anything?

Hm, the gentle cycle of the washing machine.

Hah, this'll make a great mental exersise in quick excuse-making when I carry in a large bundle of cotton rope into our apartment's laundry room.

............ oooh, boy.

 

[Ebonyfire]

I'm about to get some rope myself...both my Dom and I are new to Bondage but we're very interested in it, and I especially find it extremely erotic.

Since I'm going to go ahead and get some lengths of cotton rope, as per above, should I -wash- it (Is so, how?), or is there a best way to care for the rope besides storing it in loose coils?

I don't mean to hijack but I was really going to make a thread like this myself just so I could ask these questions, I appreciate it being premade already!

I use a lingere bag, you know one of those mesh bages. they come in varying sizes so they can accommodate many different sizes.

Eb

 

[SpectreT]

Here's a few links for care and feeding of rope or line:

http://www.boatsafe.com/marlinespike/handling.htm

http://www.rainbowrope.com/howto/rope_storage.html

http://www.videos.sailingcourse.com/coiling_lines.htm

There's another coiling method, but I'd need to make a video of it, since my Google skills are rubbish. It involves coiling the line, making a bend near one end, using the bend to tie a knot that leaves you with a convenient loop to hang the line by. It's quick and simple, but it does create wear in the parts of the line used to make the knot, and stress on the bend that becomes the loop.

Depending on the composition of the line, the tool dip suggestion may be a good idea, or a bad idea. Some materials don't stick well to the tool dip. Usually, if you get your line at a boating supply store, or outdoors shop, the clerks there can give you some good info on the care and feeding as well as how to best finish cut ends in the line to prevent fraying. I've been known to use a Franciscan knot if nothing else presents itself.

 

[catalina_francisco]

And there's not and problems with unraveling or anything?

Hm, the gentle cycle of the washing machine.

Hah, this'll make a great mental exersise in quick excuse-making when I carry in a large bundle of cotton rope into our apartment's laundry room.

............ oooh, boy.

I usually tie the ends to give extra insurance against unravelling, but other than that in they go and out they come all nice and cean again. I don't think I have ever used the dryer to dry them, just dangle them over a clothes airer for a few hours.

Catalina

 

[satindesire]

Ahh, so they don't go in the dryer? Thanks for making that clear. I wasn't sure whether or not they did.

I appreciate that.

Also, does it seem that the color runs in cotton rope? To be honest with you I'd really like to get some vivid red rope because I think it would look fantastic next to my redheaded complexion, should I wash it perhaps with my other reds, or by itself? Is it even possible to get colored rope?

I was thinking of looking into a few of my local sex shops, but I was considering the fact that they would probably be much more expensive there than if I went, say, to a Home Depot or Lowe's. And how much do you think I could expect to pay for a good length of rope?

The more questions are answered, the more I have

 

[catalina_francisco]

Ours are uncoloured as dyes are lilely to also create allergies in me, though we have bought a few coloured ropes of the curtaining variety which can be used occasionally and for minimal time. I always separate colours unless I am sure they don't run. And yes, anything you buy in an adult store is usually way over priced. We bought our cotton ropes from Bunnings in Oz and also some cheaper, thinner ones from the dollar stores....and the silky curtain tie back type ones I bought in a drapery store.

Catalina

 

[satindesire]

SIlky ones would be really nice.

I don't know if we have a drapery store in town, though. Would a Hobby Lobby be suitable?

Hm, I'm getting so many ideas now!

 

[Lady_In_Black]

Ohh, I was looking at something in walmart. They have this rope type stuff, it's nylon wrapped around something, so it's all smooth and shiny, and it's two...strands of that wrapped around each other, in 3 different thicknesses to choose from, and it was something like $1.43 for a yard for the thickest...It looked fun. Felt nice too.

So...on the rope type...basically, cotton? Or is hemp actually better? If I get cotton or hemp, what is the best way to dye it? I really like black rope, or dark blue. And does that plastic-dip come in those two colours?

One thing I am really trying to find out is the best way to tie him down to the bed...in a way that I can get to things, but that he can only squirm a little bit...Do you all suggest just a short length with a slip knot on both ends, in kinda of a O-O shape? One look around the foot of the bed, one for his writs/ankles.

Where do I buy this stuff, for the best price...and I am still not clear on what type of thickness wold work best.

 

[saw_man1]

Hemp is as good as it gets but it is relatively expensive and usually only available by mail order. Braided cotton is still your overall best bet. For tying hands and feet the common cotton sash cord that you would find in a fabric store is an excellent choice. The availability of cotton is such that you shouldn't have any trouble finding it. For simplicity sake 5/8" would be the most versatile size. I purchased mine at Tractor Supply.

Colored hemp rope as well as numerous other resources, is available here.
Twisted
Should you ever get to the point where you want to try suspension, hemp is the only choice.

Here are a few other sites you may want to visit.
Rope Dojo
Midori

 

[Netzach]

go slow with the cotton, it will give rope burns at slower speeds than nylon will.

I recommend nylon round braid *without* a core - it has a good silky feel. You can melt or tape the ends. It's not too pricey at home despot or lowes.

You can even find it in BLACK at HD.

And I'd go with the 5/8ths too.

 

[Jailhouse]

Time is against me at the moment, but if you want soft I would go for cotton rope. It is soft, dependable, inexpensive, washable, and for someone with allergies like moi, it is basically the only remotely safe option. Nylon can have its problems, some of them not being very good ones.

Catalina

Cotton rope is bad for rope burns, actually.

Nylon rope can have trouble holding a knot.

Hemp rope is definitely the best. It's soft (softer than you'd think), holds a knot brilliantly and doesn't give burns as easily as other kinds.