Author Topic: Cordage Ideas?  (Read 1551 times)

Smokey Plainsman

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Cordage Ideas?
« on: January 29, 2020, 09:23:24 AM »
I’ve been using hemp cordage that I wax with beeswax for various things such as attaching my powder horn to the leather strap, powder measure thongs, etc. and tonight used it on a bullet pouch. But I’m concerned about fraying and long term durability so am wondering if anyone knows of any strong natural looking cordage? It doesn’t need to actually be natural, could be synthetic, but just looking for ideas for a strong and durable material.

Thoughts?

Offline Bob McBride

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Re: Cordage Ideas?
« Reply #1 on: January 29, 2020, 01:38:19 PM »
I’m not sure if you use this stuff or not. Greg P posted this pic last week and it’s the same stuff I use. Jewelry section at Hobby Lobby. Unwind it and braid it. It’s plenty tough enough and comes in different thicknesses. I dye it then beeswax it as well.





Offline Elnathan

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Re: Cordage Ideas?
« Reply #2 on: January 29, 2020, 03:41:45 PM »
I can't speak for their twine, but Hemptique has some truly nice rope and webbing, combined with the absolute worst customer service it has ever been my misfortune to run across. If you can get some of their twine from a third party vendor it should be as nice as anything else out there.

I can't speak to long-term durability, since I haven't put it through long hard service, but I've made a tumpline in part and a twined bag from the mid-weight Cousin's Corporation twine that Wal-Mart sells and it is decent stuff. I've also used some of Hemp Basics' 170 pound line for the rest of my tumpline and for that rope I posted a couple months back, and I like it a lot. I just got some middle weight (48 pound?) twine from them, but I won't know if it is really superior to the Wal-Mart stuff until I try making something out of it. It is, however, 100% hemp whereas the Wal-Mart stuff has other natural fibers in it.

Another idea for thinner stuff is flax/linen thread. It is very strong, and will be better than craft store hemp twine for sewing things. If you need a thicker thread you could try twisting a couple strands and waxing them - I routinely double up the thread I have when sewing leather and it works fine, and with some more care in twisting it would probably work for tying stuff as well.
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Offline rich pierce

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Re: Cordage Ideas?
« Reply #3 on: January 29, 2020, 03:54:24 PM »
Hemp is bull strong. No durability issue. Braided steel cable would be stronger. Just kidding. Hemp is 5 star in strength and wear resistance.
Andover, Vermont

Offline Dennis Daigger

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Re: Cordage Ideas?
« Reply #4 on: January 29, 2020, 11:05:06 PM »
Dick Blick has a great selection of Hemplique. https://www.dickblick.com/brands/hemptique/

Offline flinchrocket

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Re: Cordage Ideas?
« Reply #5 on: January 30, 2020, 06:46:41 AM »
I always keep some leather shoe laces around.

Smokey Plainsman

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Re: Cordage Ideas?
« Reply #6 on: January 30, 2020, 08:53:11 AM »
Thanks so much, gang!! I stopped by the local Hobby Lobby and bought a spool of the Hemplique hemp cord. Great stuff!! Would NOT come apart when I pulled as hard as I could. Seems extremely strong. I’m going to braid it and use for my purposes. Seems more supple and less likely to fray than the cheap coarse hemp stuff from Wal-Mart. I appreciate the tips, guys!!

-Smokey

Offline Mike from OK

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Re: Cordage Ideas?
« Reply #7 on: January 30, 2020, 06:08:10 PM »
I picked up some of the hemp jewelery cord at hobby lobby a while back. I bought a bag of pre dyed lengths in several colors.

Whether you dye them yourself or buy them pre dyed, different colors are a big help to weave an eye in the end of your braid.

Mike

Offline Greg Pennell

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Re: Cordage Ideas?
« Reply #8 on: January 30, 2020, 07:38:17 PM »
Dennis, thanks for the Dick Blick link. I’m going to get some spools of the colored hemp and weave a strap or two on my inkle loom. They should be heck-fer-stout.

Greg
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Smokey Plainsman

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Re: Cordage Ideas?
« Reply #9 on: January 31, 2020, 06:40:08 AM »
Guys tonight I made the attachments for my bullet pouch strap with the Hemptique cord. Worked great! I am so glad to call you all my friends. Even though we are on the internet and separated by many miles, it’s still true. One love man from Nevada!

-Smokey