Category: Ropes

What is rope making?

Rope making is the process of twisting lots of fibres together to make one strong rope. A rope’s job is to remain wound together, even when contorted or knotted, otherwise it would not have enough tensile strength to pull heavy objects or keep its stability. 

How to make ropes

Nowadays, the rope making process is largely industrialised, with ropes created by machines. But essentially, there are four parts to rope production:

1. Prepare the fibres by twisting. 

2. Spin the fibres, or bunch them, into yarn.

3. These yarns are then twisted – in a process called forming – into strands.

4. Next up is laying – where multiple strands are twisted together, to form a complete rope.

What material is used to make ropes?

Most fibres can be used to make a rope, but depending on the type used to make the strands, and ultimately the rope, some will inevitably be stronger than others. The strongest type of natural rope, for example, is a manila rope, whereas for synthetic rope you should go for nylon or polypropylene. Synthetic ropes such as these are strong, lightweight and are great value for money. 

The different rope making techniques

The material of a rope can differ, and so can the technique of braiding or twisting a rope. We have listed a few types of rope making techniques below:

• Twisted rope: To form a twisted rope, fibres are spun into yarns and then twisted into strands. These separate strands are then twisted together to create a rope.

• Braided rope: This type of rope is created by braiding yarn together to form a tube-like structure. The benefit of this is that they have better flexibility than a twisted rope.

Plaited rope: A plaited rope is relatively simple and is similar to a twisted rope, except the strands are plaited instead.

A brief history of rope making

The history of rope is actually a lot more intricate than you might think. So without further ado, let’s dive in.

When were ropes invented?

Rope making has been an essential part of history, and dates back to prehistoric times around 28,000 years ago. Originally, ropes were made from twisting plant fibres, or anything individuals could source locally, together – and it’s not so different today. Rope making spread to many civilizations, but first became popular with the Egyptians – then moving onto the Chinese dynasties and the rest of the world. 

The ancient Egyptians were the first to create rope making tools, and ropes became essential for moving materials to use for building the pyramids and monuments. Some tombs actually show this process in their wall paintings – these are called reliefs. Other parts of the world realised the usefulness of ropes in industry and daily life, becoming a massive global industry. 

How was traditional rope made?

Rope was traditionally made in a ropewalk – this referred to the rope factories. These buildings were long, low, and often completely outdoors. Later, ropewalks were either roofed or housed inside. Unlike most other industrial factories, ropewalks were placed outside of cities because of the high fire risk they posed. Due to the extremely long lengths of rope that needed to be made, these factories were often around a quarter of a mile long – sometimes even longer. In a ropewalk, long fibres would be laid down and twisted together to make one strong rope. The strength of the rope comes from these fibres being wound together multiple times over. Usually, ropewalks were operated by hand or hand-operated tools, but this later developed. 

Chatham Dockyard in Kent has the only traditional working ropewalk, and rope has been made there for around 400 years. It also contains a ropery museum for people to check out the history of rope making in even more depth.

How rope making has evolved

The industrial revolution pushed for steam-powered machines, progressing into electric use. Some electricity powered ropewalks hung around until the mid 20th century. As a rope making method, the ropewalk was efficient but slow and things began to change.

The desire for stronger, thicker ropes began with the increase in sea trading. The use of ropes on ships was essential and the ropewalks couldn’t keep up with the demand. Natural materials – that were usually used for rope making – could no longer be used due to them shrinking when they got wet. Manila is the material of choice for rope usage on boats – it’s strong and doesn’t stretch. 

This is where we see a move towards rope making as we know it today, and away from slower processes like ropewalks. These days, ropes are mass produced quickly and in large quantities to keep up with the ever growing rope industry. 

Feeling inspired by the rich history of rope making? If you’re interested in buying some ropes, rather than making them yourself, then we can help. Or maybe you’re unsure what type of rope you need, in that case – contact us today to satisfy all of your rope needs. 

What are the benefits of rope exercises?

We all know that keeping active is the best way to achieve a healthy body and mind, but do you ever feel as though you’re stuck in the same old fitness routine? For those that do want to incorporate some brand new exercises into their workout, that are not only brilliant heart raisers, but massive calorie burners, this post could be just what you’re looking for. 

The flexibility and strength of certain types of rope makes them the perfect fitness equipment, allowing those using them to exercise different muscles at the same time. This statement has also been backed by a study, finding that people burn an average of 112 calories after exercising with battle ropes for just 10 minutes. 

DIY battle rope

If you’ve had a read of our previous post on different rope types and their strength, you’ll know that certain varieties will be better than others when using them as fitness equipment. Manilla rope or natural hemp rope offer easy handling, and boast excellent strength at the same time, making them ideal for exercising. 

After acquiring two ropes and ensuring that they’re each at least 50 foot in length (you can experiment with the size based on how easy or hard you want to make the rope exercises for yourself), you’ll need to find a way to secure them down. This could be done by using a tree – after making sure it’s sturdy enough – or you could knot them around some dumbbells. 

Next, ensure that the ropes are easy to grip onto, and won’t cause you any burns when exercising. To make the ends as comfortable as possible, whilst also ensuring the durability of your rope, wrap the part you’ll be holding onto with a few layers of duct tape. 

Finally, whack on your favourite fitness playlist to get your heart pumping, and you’re good to go.

Rope exercises

Bicep waves

Start by standing with your feet apart in a quarter squat position and begin to wave both of your ropes as fast as you can, making sure that every movement you make is backed with power. Be sure to keep your back straight throughout the process, focusing all of your efforts on your biceps by keeping your elbows tucked in. 

Lateral whip

Keeping your elbows slightly bent, bring both of your ropes up towards you – ensuring that you have a good grip – and whip them down with force. Repeat this movement as quickly as you can, increasing the pace if you feel comfortable to do so. 

Full circle

This rope exercise is great for your core muscles, so be prepared for some serious burn. Make sure your back is straight and tall, ensuring that you’re sideways facing to the fixed rope ends. Now move your hand in a circular motion in a full, clockwise circle, going anticlockwise after completing at 12 reps (or whatever feels comfortable for you). Rest in-between sets, completing three times, or more if you’re feeling ambitious. 

Slam jump

Jump up as high as you can, whipping the ropes down with force as you fall back towards the ground. Make sure to keep your elbows as straight as you can, maintaining a neutral torso. The more effort you put into the slam, the greater the benefits you will feel. 

Squat and shoulder press

Stand with your feet slightly wider than hip-width apart, keeping your rope on your shoulders and ensuring that there isn’t too much slack. Maintain a strong form, and start to lower yourself to the ground into a squat. Each time you stand back up, raise your rope above your head to keep your arms moving. 

Star jumps

This one is a great exercise to increase your heart rate, benefiting both your core muscles and obliques. Get a good grip on both ropes in each hand and keep your elbows bent, lift up to shoulder height, jump up and land with your feet wide apart. Each time you hit the floor, make sure to slam down your ropes with power to feel the full benefit. 

Whether you’re looking to improve your fitness routine, embarking on your next DIY project or are searching for the correct work equipment, our stock is able to suit your every need. Have a chat with a friendly member of our team today to see what we have on offer. 

With a vast range of ropes to choose from, each type has a different use, offering varying suitability for either indoor or outdoor projects. If you’re looking for ropes that boast longevity and durability, this guide to the different rope types and their strength could make your decision much easier. 

Manilla rope

Being one of the sturdiest natural ropes, manilla rope is both flexible and easy to work with. Often referred to as hemp rope, it’s made from the natural fibre manilla hemp, derived deep in the Philippines from the abacá plant. This is one of the more popular choices when considering garden decking due to its tan colouring, and its resistance to UV rays make it ideal for outdoor use. Along with boosting garden aesthetics, manilla rope is the best for barrier ropes and tug of war, which goes to show just how strong it really is! 

Natural hemp rope

Sticking with the natural ropes category, the soft yet sturdy natural hemp rope is most commonly used as climbing ropes in gyms due to its suppleness, offering easy-handling that also works perfectly for marine purposes. Made from the industrial fibres of a cannabis plant, the eco-friendly and biodegradable natural hemp rope is UV resistant, and its durability allows it to combat against mold and mildew. 

Any rope will end up slacking overtime, with natural hemp rope being prone to fraying. Should this happen, simply tape the ends to make sure that no loose ends can get out to retain good rope strength. Easy peasy! 

Polypropylene rope

Polypropylene rope has plenty of benefits, so if you’re looking for a rope to be used for various pulling applications or for lifting and securing, this type could be perfect for you. Whether you choose to opt for the staple spun polypropylene rope that serves well as a sling, a cricket boundary rope for all your outdoor sporting needs, or the high-tenacity, UV resistant polysteel rope that can float in water, you definitely won’t be short of options. 

Polyester rope

This rope is perfect for marine and yacht use due to its UV resistance, impressive strength, and abrasion resistance. Polyester rope has little to no stretch, offering unmatchable sturdiness that serves for an array of purposes. Braid on braid polyester ropes are pre-stretched, flexible, and not to mention easy to splice, coming in a variety of vibrant colours that make them ideal for blue water sailing. Their non-kinking and stretch resistant properties are great for secure mooring, and pre-stretched polyester doesn’t shrink or go stiff in the damp weather – this is a common problem that arises with other types of rope. 

Sisal decking ropes

Ever fancied decking for your garden? Look no further than our sisal decking ropes that are not only robust, but their colouration and natural materials will look great when being used for landscaping projects – especially if you’re going for a nautical theme. Their three-strand construction, durability and stretch makes them a desired rope for marine purposes, although they have been known to shrink slightly and expand in girth when wet. To enhance longevity when being used outdoors, it’s advised that they’re treated before use with either decking oils or water resistant sprays.

Polyhemp/hempex ropes

Another choice that works well for decking purposes are polyhemp/ hempex ropes, made from resilient polypropylene fibres. These synthetic ropes have a similar appearance to that of natural hemp ropes, and are another common choice for improving your garden’s aesthetic. They’re strong enough for rope swings, garden bridges and for handling cargo, so get this rope involved with any of your upcoming outdoor DIY projects. 

If you’d like any further advice on the best ropes to use and the strength they have to offer, get in touch with our team of friendly professionals. We can work with you to understand your requirements, pairing you with the best rope that’ll match your needs. Give us a call today!