The Purpose of Handmade Cordage
Crafted from natural materials, this cordage is essential for building shelters, making bowstrings, fishing leaders, game snares, and even "thread" for sewing. It's a skill that will undoubtedly serve you well.
Selecting Suitable Materials
Virtually any fibrous material can be transformed into a decent cord. Several such cords, when braided together, form a sturdy rope. Before you begin, assess your potential material against four criteria:
- Length. Fibers shorten during the twisting process, so the starting material must be longer than your desired outcome.
- Strength. The finished cord will be stronger, but the initial fibers must also be durable. Test this by giving the fiber a sharp tug in opposite directions. If it holds, tie a simple, tight knot in it. If it still doesn't break, the material is strong enough.
- Flexibility. You will be twisting the material extensively, so it must be pliable.
- Cohesiveness. The fibers need to grip each other. Excessively smooth or slippery fibers are unsuitable.
Where to Find Raw Materials
Suitable materials are abundant in nature: long grass, weeds like stinging nettle (grasp the base of the stem, squeeze, and run your fingers upwards—the leaves will detach without stinging you), seaweed, fibers from shrub stems, and even clumps of wool shed by animals during molting.
The ideal raw material is considered to be bast—the inner fibers from the bark of dead trees (such as willow or linden). Score the bark and peel away a long strip of bast, then separate it into segments of the required length.
A Key Consideration: Working with Fibers
Remember, natural fibers contract as they dry, which strengthens knots. However, dry material can become brittle. To prevent this, soak the fibers in water—this will minimize contraction. This process, called "retting," also makes it easier to separate fibers from the bark of young trees (like linden, willow, or chestnut). Once dried, this material becomes soft, supple, and ready for weaving.
Making Twisted Rope: A Step-by-Step Guide
This is a simple yet effective method for creating cordage for various needs.
- Twisting. Take a long fiber and twist it in one direction until it begins to kink and form loops on its own.
- Folding. Fold the fiber over, about one-third of the way along its length (do not fold it in half, as this reduces strength).
- Twisting the Double Strand. Pinch the fold with the fingers of one hand. Place the fibers on your knee and roll them down your leg with your free hand. Your goal is not to tangle them, but to twist them even tighter.
- Securing and Adding Material. Press the completed section against your knee with your palm to prevent it from untwisting, and release the other end—it will spin back slightly. Pinch the point where the spinning stops and repeat the process.
- Splicing. When you are 4-5 cm from the short end, lay a new fiber alongside it and continue twisting—the new fiber will be incorporated automatically. Secure the finished rope with a knot at the end to prevent unraveling. If the cordage is too thick, whip the end with a separate, thin cord.
To reinforce the rope, double it over and repeat the procedure, but twist it in the opposite direction.
Ten Essential Knots for Survival
Without knot-tying skills, even the best rope is useless. Here are ten fundamental knots to master:
- Bowline: Creates a non-slip loop at the end of a rope. Invaluable in countless situations. Easily remembered with the "rabbit story": the rabbit comes out of the hole, runs around the tree, and goes back down the hole. For absolute security, finish with a stopper knot on the free end.
- Honda Knot (or Lariat Loop): A simple and convenient way to coil and store a rope neatly to prevent tangling.
- Clove Hitch: Designed for securely fastening a rope to a horizontal object like a pole or stake.
- Constrictor Knot: Excellent for quickly and securely closing the neck of a bag or backpack
- Figure-Eight Knot: A reliable and easy-to-untie knot. Widely used by climbers and sailors. Often used as a stopper knot or for securing a rope to a pole.
- Round Turn and Two Half Hitches (Blocking Knot): Excellent for joining two poles together in construction projects. It's a simplified version of the sled knot. After tightening, add a couple of half hitches on the end for security.
- Sled Knot (or Jamming Knot): A very secure knot for a final, permanent fastening. It is nearly impossible to untie, so the rope must be cut.
- Reef Knot: The classic knot for joining two ropes of equal thickness. Easy to untie. For critical loads, secure the free ends with stopper knots.
- Sheet Bend: Used for joining two ropes of different diameters.
- Timber Hitch: An excellent temporary knot for towing a load (like a bundle of firewood) or for general-purpose fastening. It tightens under strain and is easily released when the load is removed.
Final Advice—Practice!
You can practice knot-tying and rope-making at home using any available materials. Start with ordinary strings or thin cords. You will quickly be amazed at how fragile fibers are transformed into strong, reliable cordage. This is a skill that could one day save your life.
Next guide: Setting Up a Campsite Previous guide: Building a Shelter for a Camping Trip You can view the full list here: Survival Guides for the Mountains
