Making Cordage

Making strong cordage in the wilderness is a valuable survival skill.1 The process involves several key steps and requires a good understanding of the materials available. Here’s a breakdown of how to do it:

1. Selecting the Right Materials

The strength of your cordage depends heavily on the type of plant fibers you use. Look for plants with long, fibrous stalks or inner bark.2 Good options include:

  • Yucca: The leaves are full of strong fibers.3
  • Nettle: The stalks contain excellent fibers.4
  • Milkweed: The inner bark is a great source of fiber.
  • Dogbane (Hemp Dogbane): Known for its incredibly strong fibers.
  • Inner bark of trees: Trees like cedar, basswood, and even some types of pine have a fibrous inner bark (phloem).5 You’ll want to peel off the outer bark to get to this layer.6

A note on identification: Be 100% certain of your plant identification. Some plants can be toxic, and you don’t want to handle them if you’re unsure.

2. Processing the Fibers

Once you’ve gathered your material, you need to prepare the fibers for twisting.7 This is a crucial step to ensure the final cordage is strong and flexible.

  • Separate the fibers: For most plants (like nettle or dogbane), you’ll need to strip the outer layer of the stalk to get to the inner fibrous material.8 With yucca or similar leaves, you can scrape away the non-fibrous material with a sharp rock or a stick until you are left with just the long fibers.
  • Dry the fibers: Allow the fibers to dry completely.9 This makes them easier to work with and stronger in the long run.
  • Softening the fibers: Once dry, you may need to “process” the fibers further to make them pliable.10 You can do this by pounding them with a rock or rubbing them between your hands. This breaks down the lignin and other non-fibrous material, leaving just the strong, pliable strands.

3. The Reverse Wrap Method (Twisting the Cordage)

This is the most common and effective method for making strong cordage by hand. It’s called “reverse wrap” because you twist in one direction and then wrap in the opposite.11

  • Step 1: Get two bundles of fiber. Take a handful of your prepared fibers and split it into two equal bundles. These will be the two strands of your cord.
  • Step 2: Start the twist. Hold the two bundles together in your non-dominant hand. With your dominant hand, twist one of the bundles away from you (clockwise).12
  • Step 3: Lock the twist.13 Once you have a nice, tight twist in that bundle, bring it over the other bundle, trapping the twist. This action will naturally bring the second bundle into your dominant hand.
  • Step 4: Twist the second bundle. Now, twist the second bundle away from you (clockwise).14
  • Step 5: Lock the second twist.15 Bring the second twisted bundle over the first one, again trapping the twist and bringing the first bundle back into your dominant hand.
  • Step 6: Repeat. Continue this process of “twist away, wrap over,” moving down the length of the cordage.16 The wrapping motion is what keeps the cordage from unraveling.

4. Adding New Fiber

As you make the cordage, you’ll reach the end of your initial fibers.17 To continue, you’ll need to add new material.18

  • Overlap the ends: When you have about 2-3 inches of fiber left on one of your strands, simply lay a new bundle of fiber on top of it, overlapping the ends.
  • Incorporate into the twist: As you continue the reverse wrap method, the new fibers will be twisted into the cordage, creating a strong splice. Do this with one strand at a time to maintain a consistent diameter and strength.

5. Finishing the Cordage

When you have the desired length, you can simply tie a knot at the end to prevent it from unraveling.19 For a smoother, more finished look, you can rub the cordage vigorously between your palms or on a smooth surface.20 This compacts the fibers and makes the cordage even stronger and more durable.

Tips for Stronger Cordage:

  • Use long fibers: The longer the individual fibers, the fewer splices you’ll need to make, resulting in a stronger cord.
  • Twist tightly and evenly: The tension should be consistent throughout the entire length of the cordage.21
  • Let it dry completely: Don’t use green (undried) plant material, as it will shrink and lose strength as it dries.
  • Combine different fibers: Sometimes, combining fibers from different plants can result in a stronger, more versatile cord.

With practice, you can produce surprisingly strong and durable cordage from a variety of natural materials.22 This skill is invaluable for everything from building a shelter and crafting tools to setting traps and carrying gear.

Comments are closed.