Rope 101
Abaca ~ A natural rope fiber produced from the trunk of the tropical plant Musa testilis (abaca tree), which is a member of the banana plant family. Abaca is the strongest of all the natural rope fibers. Also known as Manila.
Braid-on-Braid ~ A rope constructed from an inner hollow single braided rope (core) which has another hollow single braided rope constructed around its exterior (skin). Both the core and skin share the load on the rope but not necessarily in equal amounts. Also referred to as Double Braid, Marine Braid, and Yacht Braid.
Dacron ~ A trade name for polyester. A Dupont Creation.
Diamond Braid ~ A cylindrical braid which is formed by rotating half the yarn strands in one direction on the braider, while the other half rotate in the opposite direction. These cords may be hollow, or they may have a center core of parallel fibers. Also referred to as Plain Braid.
Double Braid ~ A rope constructed from an inner hollow single braided rope (core) which has another hollow single braided rope constructed around its exterior (skin). Both the core and skin share the load on the rope but not necessarily in equal amounts. Also referred to as Marine Braid, Yacht Braid and Braid on Braid.
Flat Braid ~ A braided cord construction which is flat and has no core or hollow center.
Hemp ~ A natural rope fiber that is produced from the cannabis sativa plant.
Hollow Braid ~ A cylindrical braid constructed in either a diamond braid or twill braid pattern with a hollow center.Economical and versatile.
Jute ~ A natural rope fiber derived from the corchorous capsularia and C. olitorius plants.
Manila ~ A vegetable fiber produced from the trunk of the tropical plant Musa testilis (abaca tree), which is a member of the banana plant family. Manila is the strongest of all the natural rope fibers. Also known as Abaca.
Marine Braid ~ A rope constructed from an inner hollow single braided rope (core) which has another hollow single braided rope constructed around its exterior (skin). Both the core and skin share the load on the rope but not necessarily in equal amounts. Also referred to as Double Braid, Yacht Braid and Braid on Braid.
MFP ~ Multi- Filament Polypropylene.
Nylon ~ A high tenacity synthetic fiber used in the production of rope and cordage. Also referred to as polyamide. the most popular synthetic rope in use today.
Nylon has a higher break than the other popular choices since it has excellent UV resistance. Widely used for outdoor applications including for boats, flagpoles, hauling, etc. It also has very good abrasion resistance, and ideal choice for use where the jacket comes in contact with a hard surface. Not recommended where you need a non stretch rope such as tents, trotline, etc.
Para Cord ~ Known also as parachute cord or 550 cord; a general purpose utility cord. Originally used as the parachute line during World War 2 and paratroopers found it useful to re purpose for numerous applications.
Today, paracord or 550 cord may reference a general utility cord. A true 550 cord is a nylon sheath with a number (usually 7) of twisted nylon strands in the center, 550 lb break, and usually 5/32” in diameter.
Poly ~ An industry abbreviation for polypropylene.
Polyester ~ A high tenacity synthetic fiber used in the production of rope and cordage. Polyester fiber has excellent resistance to UV and also has high abrasion resistance. One characteristic that distinguishes polyester rope from nylon rope is that polyester stretches very little during use. This makes it the perfect choice for guy lines, tents and any other applications where a taut line is important.
Polyethylene, extended chain (HMPE) ~ A polyolefin fiber that is characterized by the gel spinning of a very high and narrow molecular weight distribution fiber to produce extremely high tenacity. The strength of the fiber is 10 times that of steel on a weight for weight basis.
Polypropylene ~ A synthetic fiber used in the production of rope and cordage.
Rope Bag ~ A durable fabric bag that is used to store and transport rope.
Sash Braid ~ A cylindrical braid in which each strand alternately passes under and over one or more of the other strands of the rope while all strands are rotating around the axis with the same direction of rotation. Also referred to as Solid Braid.
Single Braid ~ A cylindrical braid which is formed by rotating half the yarn strands in one direction on the braider, while the other half rotate in the opposite direction. These cords do not have yarn in the core, and may also be referred to as hollow braid.
Sisal ~ A natural rope fiber produced from leaves of the agave plant which is found in Central America, West Indies and Africa.
Solid Braid ~ A cylindrical braid in which each strand alternately passes under and over one or more of the other strands of the rope while all strands are rotating around the axis with the same direction of rotation. Also referred to as Sash Braid.
Splice ~ The joining of two ends of yarn, strand or cordage by intertwining or inserting these ends into the body of the product. An eye splice may be formed by using a similar process to join one end into the body of the product.
Splice, eye ~ An end termination in the form of a loop in a rope, cord or twine to facilitate its testing and/or use regardless of construction.
Tracer ~ A contrasting color in a rope.
Twine ~ A small sized cord of any fiber from hemp to nylon. For and where things need to be bound or secured but a big break strength isn’t required.
Throw Bag ~ A lightweight fabric bag generally containing between 50-75 feet of rope that can be deployed to a person in trouble.
Yacht Braid ~ A rope constructed from an inner hollow single braided rope (core) which has another hollow single braided rope constructed around its exterior (skin). Both the core and skin share the load on the rope but not necessarily in equal amounts. Also referred to as Double Braid, Marine Braid, and Braid on Braid.
Braid-on-Braid ~ A rope constructed from an inner hollow single braided rope (core) which has another hollow single braided rope constructed around its exterior (skin). Both the core and skin share the load on the rope but not necessarily in equal amounts. Also referred to as Double Braid, Marine Braid, and Yacht Braid.
Dacron ~ A trade name for polyester. A Dupont Creation.
Diamond Braid ~ A cylindrical braid which is formed by rotating half the yarn strands in one direction on the braider, while the other half rotate in the opposite direction. These cords may be hollow, or they may have a center core of parallel fibers. Also referred to as Plain Braid.
Double Braid ~ A rope constructed from an inner hollow single braided rope (core) which has another hollow single braided rope constructed around its exterior (skin). Both the core and skin share the load on the rope but not necessarily in equal amounts. Also referred to as Marine Braid, Yacht Braid and Braid on Braid.
Flat Braid ~ A braided cord construction which is flat and has no core or hollow center.
Hemp ~ A natural rope fiber that is produced from the cannabis sativa plant.
Hollow Braid ~ A cylindrical braid constructed in either a diamond braid or twill braid pattern with a hollow center.Economical and versatile.
Jute ~ A natural rope fiber derived from the corchorous capsularia and C. olitorius plants.
Manila ~ A vegetable fiber produced from the trunk of the tropical plant Musa testilis (abaca tree), which is a member of the banana plant family. Manila is the strongest of all the natural rope fibers. Also known as Abaca.
Marine Braid ~ A rope constructed from an inner hollow single braided rope (core) which has another hollow single braided rope constructed around its exterior (skin). Both the core and skin share the load on the rope but not necessarily in equal amounts. Also referred to as Double Braid, Yacht Braid and Braid on Braid.
MFP ~ Multi- Filament Polypropylene.
Nylon ~ A high tenacity synthetic fiber used in the production of rope and cordage. Also referred to as polyamide. the most popular synthetic rope in use today.
Nylon has a higher break than the other popular choices since it has excellent UV resistance. Widely used for outdoor applications including for boats, flagpoles, hauling, etc. It also has very good abrasion resistance, and ideal choice for use where the jacket comes in contact with a hard surface. Not recommended where you need a non stretch rope such as tents, trotline, etc.
Para Cord ~ Known also as parachute cord or 550 cord; a general purpose utility cord. Originally used as the parachute line during World War 2 and paratroopers found it useful to re purpose for numerous applications.
Today, paracord or 550 cord may reference a general utility cord. A true 550 cord is a nylon sheath with a number (usually 7) of twisted nylon strands in the center, 550 lb break, and usually 5/32” in diameter.
Poly ~ An industry abbreviation for polypropylene.
Polyester ~ A high tenacity synthetic fiber used in the production of rope and cordage. Polyester fiber has excellent resistance to UV and also has high abrasion resistance. One characteristic that distinguishes polyester rope from nylon rope is that polyester stretches very little during use. This makes it the perfect choice for guy lines, tents and any other applications where a taut line is important.
Polyethylene, extended chain (HMPE) ~ A polyolefin fiber that is characterized by the gel spinning of a very high and narrow molecular weight distribution fiber to produce extremely high tenacity. The strength of the fiber is 10 times that of steel on a weight for weight basis.
Polypropylene ~ A synthetic fiber used in the production of rope and cordage.
Rope Bag ~ A durable fabric bag that is used to store and transport rope.
Sash Braid ~ A cylindrical braid in which each strand alternately passes under and over one or more of the other strands of the rope while all strands are rotating around the axis with the same direction of rotation. Also referred to as Solid Braid.
Single Braid ~ A cylindrical braid which is formed by rotating half the yarn strands in one direction on the braider, while the other half rotate in the opposite direction. These cords do not have yarn in the core, and may also be referred to as hollow braid.
Sisal ~ A natural rope fiber produced from leaves of the agave plant which is found in Central America, West Indies and Africa.
Solid Braid ~ A cylindrical braid in which each strand alternately passes under and over one or more of the other strands of the rope while all strands are rotating around the axis with the same direction of rotation. Also referred to as Sash Braid.
Splice ~ The joining of two ends of yarn, strand or cordage by intertwining or inserting these ends into the body of the product. An eye splice may be formed by using a similar process to join one end into the body of the product.
Splice, eye ~ An end termination in the form of a loop in a rope, cord or twine to facilitate its testing and/or use regardless of construction.
Tracer ~ A contrasting color in a rope.
Twine ~ A small sized cord of any fiber from hemp to nylon. For and where things need to be bound or secured but a big break strength isn’t required.
Throw Bag ~ A lightweight fabric bag generally containing between 50-75 feet of rope that can be deployed to a person in trouble.
Yacht Braid ~ A rope constructed from an inner hollow single braided rope (core) which has another hollow single braided rope constructed around its exterior (skin). Both the core and skin share the load on the rope but not necessarily in equal amounts. Also referred to as Double Braid, Marine Braid, and Braid on Braid.