How to Choose and Care for Rope

• Strength: Make sure that the rope is strong enough to hold the load you’re going to place on it. Because knots can weaken a rope by up to 50%, it’s important to choose a rope that’s strong enough to hold at least double the load you plan to place on it.
• Static or dynamic: Static ropes stretch no more than 6% beyond their original length under normal loads. Dynamic ropes can stretch up to 50% beyond their original length. In some circumstances (as in rigging sails), using a rope that won’t stretch is a must. In other situations, such as rock climbing, the rope must be able to absorb the force if the climber falls, which makes using a dynamic rope essential.

Rope Structure

• Laid ropes: Made by twisting together fibers into thicker and thicker strands, these ropes are cheap, static, and not very strong. They should be used only in household situations, such as hanging plants, where little strength is needed and safety is not at stake.
   
  
• Braid-on-braid ropes: Also called sheath-and-core or kernmantle, these ropes have a braided outer sheath covering a core of fibers that can be braided or twisted. The sheath protects the core from the elements and UV rays, both of which can degrade a rope. Braid-on-braid ropes can be static or dynamic, depending on how they were made. Most braid-on-braid rope is expensive, but it’s often the best rope for specialized activities like sailing and climbing.
   
  
• Single-braid ropes: Made from a single braid, these ropes are usually less expensive than braid-on-braid ropes. Since they have no sheath, they’re less able to withstand the elements. Nevertheless, single-braid rope is strong and useful in many general applications.
   
  

Rope Materials

• Natural fibers: Natural fibers, such as hemp, are usually found in laid rope. They’re cheap, easy to handle, and, due to their slight roughness, are good at holding knots. Natural fibers are UV-resistant but tend to rot or mildew if they get wet. They can also be damaged by oils and solvents. Overall, they’re not as strong as ropes made from synthetic materials.
• Nylon: Strong, light, and elastic, nylon can be used to make everything from thick ropes to very thin fishing lines. Nylon ropes can be dynamic or static, depending on how the nylon is woven. Nylon sinks in water and loses some strength when wet. It’s also vulnerable to acids and UV light.
• Polyester: Not as strong or elastic as nylon, polyester ropes are generally static. Polyester sinks in water, doesn’t lose its strength when wet, and is more resistant to UV rays than nylon.
• Polypropylene: Ropes made from polypropylene float on water, making them perfect for waterskiing and water rescue. They’re also water-resistant and won’t freeze in cold weather. However, polypropylene ropes are stiff and tend to fail when exposed to high heat or excessive UV rays.

Rope Care

• Store ropes correctly: Keep rope in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight, and store it in neat coils, not a tangled pile.
• Inspect ropes regularly: Inspect your rovpes regularly for signs of fraying ends or decaying internal fibers.
• Retire ropes when necessary: Discard any ropes that show the slightest signs of decay or that endure a jolt close to or beyond their maximum recommended load.

Seal the Ends of Cut Rope

1. Binding: Apply masking or duct tape to the rope ends.
2. Waxing: Drip melted wax thoroughly on the rope ends to seal them.
3. Melting: With nylon ropes, you can seal the ends by melting the nylon fibers with direct heat from a match.
4. Whipping: Use twine to bind and seal the rope ends. To apply whipping to the end of a rope:
   1. Lay the end of the twine along the rope end so that the bight of the twine is near the rope end.
       
      
   2. Wrap the twine tightly around the rope and slip the end of the twine through the bight.
       
      
   3. Tighten and snip off both ends of the twine.