Types of Bondage Rope
Ropes can be made out of a variety of material and in a few different ways. The material and method of rope production makes a difference to the sub being restrained as each has a different feel and effect.
Twisted ropes are made of long fibers, typically synthetic these days, that are gathered at one point and then twisted individually. The fibers are twisted in the same direction at the same time so that as the tension increases, the fibers will coil around each other in the opposite direction to form the rope (Ecstasy, 2005). Braided rope is typically made of softer braided materials over a core of twisted or untwisted fibers. Braided ropes can also have no core or a core of another braid. These types of ropes, while generally less traditional, tend to be softer on skin as well as easier knot, slide, and handle (Ecstasy, 2005).
Some common materials used to make rope include:
Cotton Rope
Benefits
Not rough on the skin
After washing it becomes soft (Ecstasy, 2005).
Dyes well
High Burn speed
Holds knots well
(Midori, 2001)
Drawbacks
Not as strong (should NOT be used for any suspension ties)
Harder to find (Ecstasy, 2005)
Has a fair amount of stretch to it (Midori, 2001)
Hemp Rope
Benefits
Do not leave splinters
Repeated washing softens it (Ecstasy, 2005)
High burn speed
Holds knots and ties well
Closest to historically used Iojo-jutsu (Midori, 2001)
Drawbacks
Will produce rope burns if rubbed against skin (Ecstasy, 2005)
Jute Rope
Fiber taken from the inside bark of some East Indian plants in the linden family
Benefits
Tends to be softer (Ecstasy, 2005)
Light & easy to use (Kent, 2010)
Drawbacks
Will produce rope burns if rubbed against skin (Ecstasy, 2005)
Manila Rope
Fibers made from abaca leaf stems
Benefits
Not recommended! Should not be used for bondage
Drawbacks
Hard fibers
Fibers can break and leave splinters in skin (Ecstasy, 2005)
Sisal Rope
Fibers from agave plant family
Benefits
Modern equivalent to hemp (Ecstasy, 2005)
Drawbacks
Not as strong
Harder fiber
Fibers can break and leave splinters in skin (Ecstasy, 2005)
Coir Rope
Outer fibers of coconut husks
Benefits
No positive aspects for rope bondage (Ecstasy, 2005)
Drawbacks
Rough & hard
Typically used to make coconut mats (Ecstasy, 2005)
Nylon Rope
Benefits
Silky feeling
Stretches
Can absorb sudden loads (Ecstasy, 2005)
Drawbacks
Knots can slide easily (Ecstasy, 2005)
Polypropylene Rope
Used for water-skiing
Benefits
Not suitable for bondage
Drawbacks
Too rough for skin
Rayon Rope
Used for water-skiing
Benefits
Silky feeling
Stretches
Can absorb sudden loads (Ecstasy, 2005)
Drawbacks
Knots can slip easily
More expensive (Ecstasy, 2005)
Dacron Rope
Benefits
Similar to nylon
Comes in variety of contrasting colors (Ecstasy, 2005)
Drawbacks
Not as strong
Not as elastic (Ecstasy, 2005)
Kevlar Rope
Benefits
Typically not used
Drawbacks
Too expensive
Parachute Cord
Benefits
Soft
Strong (Ecstasy, 2005)
Drawbacks
Too thin for most bondage techniques (Ecstasy, 2005)
Out of this list of materials, it is generally recommended to go with natural materials because they tend to hold knots better and have a less stretch which makes ties more predictable. Natural materials also have a higher burn speed, which means that you can pull the rope through quicker with less chance of rope burns (Kent, 2010). Synthetic materials can be favored by non-enthusiasts because they tend to be cheaper, hypoallergenic and easy to clean (Scribd Inc., 2012). Ultimately, the type of rope you choose should be something suitable to your purpose and what you and your partner feel comfortable working with.
Article References
Ecstasy, A. &. (2005, 02 24). Bondage Tutorials for Beginners. Retrieved 09 17, 2012, from Bondage Tutorials: http://bondage-tutorials.blogspot.ca/2010/10/51-about-ropes.html
Jade Rope. (2010). History and Tradition. Retrieved 07 26, 2012, from Jade Rope: http://www.jaderope.com/rope-history-tradition/
Kent, D. (2010). Douglas Kent's Complete Shirbari: Volume 1 Land. Ottawa: Mental Gears Publishing.
LqqkOut. (n.d.). Rope Bondage 101. Retrieved 07 26, 2012, from Kink Friendly: http://www.kinkfriendly.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/kinkfriendly_org_rope_101_compressed.pdf
Midori. (2001). The Seductive Art of Japanese Bondage. Hong Kong: Fire Horse Production.
Scribd Inc. (2012). Rope Bondage 101. Retrieved 09 16, 2012, from Scribd: http://www.scribd.com/doc/27566337/Rope-Bondage-101
Image References
Someone else's art deserves recognition! The images presented in this article were borrowed from the following places:
Header Image: http://fap.to/images/49/593055061/bondage-sm-porn/Shibari-Japanese-Rope-Bondage-2-1.jpg | Retrieved April 26, 2015
Image 1: http://product-image.tradeindia.com/00218716/b/0/Cotton-Rope-manufacturer.jpg | Retrieved September 17, 2012
Image 2: http://store.colemans.com/cart/images/3355.gif | Retrieved September 17, 2012
Image 3: http://www.diamondjute.com/images/product/jute_rope/5.jpg | Retrieved September 17, 2012
Image 4: http://www.stonkknots.co.uk/images/spiral_mat.jpg | Retrieved September 17, 2012
Image 5: http://www.xlrope.com/en/UploadFiles/2012-09/2012090313321191767.jpg | Retrieved September 17, 2012
Image 6: http://www.ecopeat.com/images/coir-rope.jpg | Retrieved September 17, 2012
Image 7: http://www.chainsropesandanchors.co.nz/shop/images/apn10100.jpg | Retrieved September 17, 2012
Image 8: http://www.toolstation.com/images/library/stock/webbig/13254.jpg | Retrieved September 17, 2012
Image 9: http://www.handmaderope.com/rayonblonde02.jpg | Retrieved September 17, 2012
Image 10: http://www.hamradioexpress.com/catalog/images/bux516rope_small.gif | Retrieved September 17, 2012
Image 11: http://www.juggle.co.za/kevlarrope.jpg | Retrieved September 17, 2012
Image 12: http://www.giftag.com/clip/rickmahn/cabelas-parachute-cord-clip.jpg | Retrieved September 17, 2012
Image 14: http://pcdn.500px.net/1128103/dea022fe975e0576d913b7a17a33fd5803ff6844/4.jpg | Retrieved September 17, 2012