Quality Manila Rope

[tapsnap]

All my local hardware stores carry 1/4" manila rope but the quality is horrible. Does anyone have a source for a better quality manilla rope. I am finishing up a hand sewn cotton sail and I want to edge it with rope. It took so long to make, I don't want to ruin it by sewing on this rubbish. I'm looking for about 50ft, but I will buy more if I have to. Does any one have suggestions for anything else?

[Peter Malcolm Jardine]

R&W rope warehouse sell Langeman hemp rope. It is probably the finest hemp still made in the world.

http://rwrope.com/

[Andrew Craig-Bennett]

here:

http://www.master-ropemakers.co.uk/

[paulf]

These guys also:
http://www.tarsmell.com/index.html

[Bob Cleek]

It's junk because it's manila. What you definitely want if you are making a truly "traditional" sail of natural fabric is "tarred hemp bolt rope." See if the hemp rope makers offer it. If not, here's a URL to Hervey Garrett Smith's "Arts of the Sailor," which tells you how to prepare and sew a bolt rope properly. There is a proper way to do it. Manila ain't it. Here's a good source: http://rwrope.com/knot-tyers/ropes/natural-hemp.html You may need to tar it yourself, but that's no big deal. A bucket of diluted Stockholm tar and you're in business.

[tapsnap]

Thanks for all your help and tips.

[tapsnap]

Bob, you forgot to post the link.

[wizbang 13]

Y know sewing a rope on a cotton sail is the trickiest part.
The rope and cotton stretch differently. A dacron line is easier to figure out control/ stretch (cuz it is more stable).

[Bob Cleek]

Duh! Here's the link to Smith's "Arts of the Sailor," if you don't already have this "must have" volume. http://books.google.com/books?id=aeH...20rope&f=false