ROPE KNOW-HOW

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SYNTHETIC VS. NATURAL

From a utilitarian point of view, synthetic fiber ropes have a number of advantages over natural lines. For a given diameter, they are stronger, more resistant to most types of decay, and only slightly more expensive than the nonsynthetics.

Such "artificial" lines are, for the most part, manufactured from by-products of the oil refining process, and therefore depend upon nonrenewable raw materials. (In fact, polyethylene ropes are made from ethylene, a petroleum substance that can also be used to produce ethyl alcohol, or fuel ethanol.) Compounds obtained from the hydrocarbons are extruded and drawn, and—depending upon the fastidiousness: of the production process can be formed into threads that extend for the entire length of a rope (a feature not possible with natural fibers). The finest nylon lines are made by this "continuous filament" method, and are easy to distinguish from the fuzzier "spun" nylon ropes.

Despite the advantages of synthetic fibers, many folks still prefer the relatively strong, easy-to-handle, economical natural lines. Manila is the most popular of the plant-derived ropes (it comes from abaca, a bananalike plant). In fact, among seafarers (and landlubbers) who do fancy work with rope, manila is considered the only choice. A less preferred-and less expensive-option is sisal, which takes its raw materials from a species of Mexican cactus. And hemp, which was once a common top-quality rope made from fibers in the stems of Cannabis (marijuana) plants, has become quite difficult to find.

The relative strengths of the-common natural and synthetic ropes (as well as their resistance to the elements and their stretch, cost, etc.) are compared in the chart that accompanies this article. (It is important to note that the performance of two firms' versions of the same kind of rope is likely to vary more than will the performance of two different kinds from the same manufacturer. Be sure to check the factory specifications, which will be available for many quality ropes.)

For general farmstead needs, the two most useful types of line are manila and nylon. The former has very little stretch, takes knots well without slipping, and can easily be spliced and employed in permanent applications. Nylon, on the other hand, has a significantly higher breaking strength than any other common rope, and has a tremendous ability to stretch and absorb shock loads. In addition, it's unaffected by water, sunlight, and alkaline chemicals and is very easy to handle.

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