Choosing rope
Handbook articles in Choosing rope.
- Jute vs hemp for shibari Two natural fibres that tie the same ties. Jute is lighter, cheaper and more common. Hemp is the older tradition and lasts longer under heavy use. We stock jute and will tell you where to buy hemp.
- What jute batching oil is, and what "JBO-free" really means All jute is batched with something, and standard JBO is a mineral oil. The animal studies are real and they tested one grade, undiluted, on shaved skin. Nobody has measured what a finished rope leaves on yours.
- What length shibari rope to use 7.5 m and 8 m are the two standard Western lengths, and we cut to 8 m. Japanese rope is usually 7 m. What each length suits, what an 8 m rope gives you folded, and what we will cut on request.
- What thickness shibari rope to use 6 mm jute and 5 mm POSH are what we stock. Rope diameters are nominal, so a 6 mm jute is not 6.00 mm. What 8 mm changes, what 5 mm changes, and what we will source on request.
- Choosing between POSH and jute A practical comparison of POSH (synthetic) and Ogawa jute (natural) for shibari practice. Same price, different maintenance, different feel.
- Shibari starter kit, what to buy for your first class Two ropes and safety shears is the minimum. Three ropes plus shears (the starter kit, €60) is the recommended starter. Both 8 m, 5 mm POSH or 6 mm jute. Belgian-finished, ships from Leuven.