spicenwolf: Shibari Basics 4 - Rope - Yep. You need some. Some people say it HAS to
spicenwolf: Shibari Basics 4 - Rope - Yep. You need some. Some people say it HAS to be a natural fiber, usually hemp or jute. Most of them SELL rope. They will tell you that artificial fibers have bad chichi, or don’t tie easily. I can’t speak to chichi, and I will acknowledge that tension and friction binding (ropes staying tight without knots) is a bit easier with natural fiber, and hemp and jute are low stretch which can help in suspension, but for new folks just trying it out, I think the cost difference $8 for 100’ of hardware store rope vs $15-20 for 30’ of hemp or jute makes a tremendous difference, and careful rope buying can level the field quite a bit. Also, hemp, jute and all natural rope take more care, more careful washing, and wear out faster. 6mm is a standard for hemp or jute, that’s ¼ inch. I prefer a bit thicker in synthetic fibers usually 5/16ths (8mm), as they get thinner as they stretch. I’ve used rope up to 3/8ths (9.5mm), it looks good for Karada and simple harness, but it’s too thick for more intricate multi wrap TK and similar. I would recommend starting at the hardware store with either 5/16 Braided Poly rope or MFP (multifilament polypropylene), the colorful kind with a braided mantle outside and a soft strand core. Feel the rope, make sure it’s pliable, and wraps back on itself easily, and is soft to the touch. 100’ for about $8. It takes little care, and can be washed in a washer should it need it. It will last years and years if not abused by abrasion. Solid Braided line is pliable, and works well but costs a bit more. Braided rope with a filament core will stretch less, and is cheaper but may be less pliable. Feel it and buy what feels good. Stretch is more an issue in suspension, and that should be a plan for well down the road. Don’t use “Braided Filament Polypropylene” commonly sold as anchor rope. It is hard and slick and does not tie well. If you see yellow anchor rope, feel it as compared to the braided boly ropes, and you will have a good sense of my preference “softer and pliable.” Braided or twisted nylon rope will work, it has a nice feel but is slicker and stretches more than Poly or MFP. Another option I’d suggest is soft braided cotton 5/16s, this is basically laundry line. Make sure it has a pliable core, or is all solid braided. Some laundry line has a stiff poly core, and does not tie well. Cotton has slightly a nicer feel than poly, and has more tooth to bind for friction. It is not, however, nearly as strong as nylon and poly, stretches a lot under load, has a low break point for suspension and should not be used for suspension. But for floor work, and tying practice, it’s fine. It dyes easily (RIT, pick your color) and may be cheaper than poly. It can rot, however, so don’t leave it wet, and if exposed to body fluids may get stiff, so might need a wash.Either way, I’d suggest 200’ but 100’ will work for lots of practice. A detailed TK or body harness will use more than 100’. If you have 100’ cut it in 3 equal parts. 33’ doubled for shibari is about as much as you can easily handle. If you have 200 feet, cut the second into one 50’ long rope (for Karada and body harnesses) and either 2x25 or 1x33 and 1x17 short rope. 4x33 is good for TK and similar ties. Short rope often is handy. Single knot the ends, this allows for easy joining of ropes with a larks head knot. You may want to mark the middle (bight) with thread whipping (dental floss works) or you will always be searching for middle…Hemp and jute for shibari are generally twisted ropes, and are worked and treated before use. Hardware store hemp and jute are very different. I’ve tied with hardware store sisal (very scratchy) and manila (scratchy and stiff) as sensation options. But generally I would look for an on line rope vendor and buy bondage specific hemp or jute when you are ready. Some Rope resources –Crash Restraint (Topologist) recommends starting with 3 strand nylon or cotton, and doesn’t sell his own rope. More about Rope Materials : http://crash-restraint.com/ties/2 Building a basic Rope Kit: http://crash-restraint.com/ties/3Richmond Nawa Kai : http://richmondnawakai.com/lesson/types-of-rope/This is post 4 of 13 planned posts on Shibari Basics. See them all (as written) with the tag “Shibari basics.”“SpiceNWolf Links” takes you to our links page that includes a catalog of tagged shibari images. -- source link