This is a list of our recommended vendors and recommendations for items to fill out your kit.
What kind of rope should I buy?
The first decision to make is whether to buy natural fiber (jute or hemp) or synthetic (nylon) rope. This is largely per personal preference. Natural fiber is more textured and has more “bite” compared to nylon, which many people prefer. The greater friction is more forgiving with tying technique, and tends to hold together better than the slippery nylon. There is also something satisfying about tying with natural fiber aesthetically, and the hand-feel is great. Natural fiber is more difficult to maintain, though, especially jute rope. Synthetic (e.g. nylon) is a great alternative to natural fiber rope, and has some advantages. For one, it’s much easier to clean and maintain (just throw it in the washing machine and air dry if it gets dirty), it tends to have more striking colors, it can be used for suspension and harnesses and has a much higher breaking tension than natural fiber, and it tends to be a little cheaper. It has a silky smooth feel, as opposed to the roughness of natural fiber. Either option is perfectly fine.
How much rope should I buy?
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Most consider a standard hank (bundle of rope) to be 30 feet long (9 meters), and 1/4 inch thick (6 millimeters). A good beginner set would include 2-4 hanks of 30 ft and 2 hanks of 15 ft. |
Recommended vendors
Jute: https://www.etsy.com/shop/MyNawashi
MyNawashi is our preferred vendor for entry level jute rope. The rope comes untreated, so it’s a little cheaper, though still good quality. There are numerous guides to treating rope online, but after about 10 uses on a person it will pick up enough natural oils and will soften up.
Hemp: https://www.twistedmonk.com/
One of the more popular options for hemp rope in the community, plus they are Seattle based! They have a guarantee that if you need to cut your rope in an emergency, they will replace it free of charge.
Nylon:
DyeAddict: https://dyeaddictrope.com/t/nylon-rope
This is the vendor we buy our rope from. It’s great quality, and we love the colors.
Safety Equipment
A good pair of safety shears should be in everyone’s rope kit! This is an absolute necessity for anyone doing rope, to be used for emergencies to get someone out of rope quickly. Safety Shears
Other items to consider adding to your kit.
A blindfold is nice to be able to offer. Aftercare is an important part of your scene. Think about some of the things you might like to use for this (blanket, pillow, hot chocolate packets, candy). Hydration is important for rope. A water bottle with a straw is much easier to use if your hands are tied