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Quick Question: Rope - 6/24/2008 3:20:40 PM

Daddystouch

Posts: 162
Joined: 10/20/2006
From: South East England
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Can/do you use rope from the hardware store? If so, what kind(s) are best?

If not, then specially made bondage rope I assume?

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RE: Quick Question: Rope - 6/24/2008 3:28:24 PM

JohnWarren

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Joined: 3/18/2005
From: Delray Beach, FL
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Some people use special rope. Some even make their own. However, I've found that hardware rope is fine for most of what I do. However, it's not so much the rope as the technique. You can do a lot of harm with bondage, even stuff that seems harmless. I strongly recommend some study first. Jay Wiseman has written an excellent book on bondage, The Erotic Bondage Handbook, and even has made some videos. A good source for the book is www.greenerypress.com. Also most basic how-to BDSM books, like my own The Loving Dominant have pretty extensive sections on bondage. I do recommend BDSM specific books since it's not so much the knots, for which there are plenty of books, but the tying up technique that is a must to learn

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RE: Quick Question: Rope - 6/24/2008 3:29:00 PM

DommeofFantasies

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Joined: 6/21/2007
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Nylon or cotton. Do not use plastic or hemp. Depending upon the person's size that you are tying up the rope needs to be a fourth of inch to a half inch in diameter. Also, I find working with rope no longer 50 feet in length is best. Also, rope is cheaper at places like Loew's, Walmart, etc then ordering on-line.

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RE: Quick Question: Rope - 6/24/2008 3:35:54 PM

Daddystouch

Posts: 162
Joined: 10/20/2006
From: South East England
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Thanks, I will do some reading. Any recommendations for something to give me some tips on really the simplest stuff? I have no interest in elaborate bondage, suspension or anything. Just thing like tying the arms to the body behind the back, hogtie-ing, tying feet together, tying limbs to objects (perhaps to keep a limb or limbs in the air). At least I assume those, without making them look pretty, would be relatively simple.

What kind of damage are we talking about? Like, cutting or circulation, rope burn?

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RE: Quick Question: Rope - 6/24/2008 3:49:26 PM

Lynnxz

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From: Atlanta
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You're going to find many different opinions on types of rope here. The reality is, since you aren't going to be tying anyone to the ceiling, you can use whatever material you like. Right now, Nylon rope and I are having relationship issues, I have a foot long rope burn currently, and it's annoying.

If I remember correctly, the knotty boys book has some good simple ties. Just make sure to check for circulation issues and you should be fine.

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RE: Quick Question: Rope - 6/24/2008 6:55:37 PM

ViceVersa

Posts: 137
Joined: 11/29/2005
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Plenty of good resources out there. A good place for simple to more complex ties are the Twisted Monk and Two Knotty Boys videos on youtube.com.

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RE: Quick Question: Rope - 6/24/2008 9:03:12 PM

SNoB

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Joined: 2/26/2008
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quote:

ORIGINAL: ViceVersa

Plenty of good resources out there. A good place for simple to more complex ties are the Twisted Monk and Two Knotty Boys videos on youtube.com.

They really have some great videos online, that are free, and anyone can watch.

As for rope, people saying buying rope online is over priced, but last I checked rainbowrope.com might be a few more cents a foot than a hardware store, they will cut it to the lengths you want, and melt the ends. It also comes in a great variety of colors.

If you do want to buy rope from a hardware store, you can, but I would say stick with the stuff on the spool, not the stuff in bags. When first starting out, try working with at least 3/8" diameter rope. Anything smaller makes it really easy to cut off blood flow, anything bigger can make it difficult to work your knots if you are new.

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RE: Quick Question: Rope - 6/24/2008 10:57:09 PM

Guilty1974

Posts: 467
Joined: 11/2/2005
From: Den Haag
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Lynnxz

You're going to find many different opinions on types of rope here. The reality is, since you aren't going to be tying anyone to the ceiling, you can use whatever material you like.

Sure you can, but even with simple floor bondage you'll want strong and non-stretchy rope in the end. Fortunately, hardware store rope can be perfectly fine. Soft nylon or soft polypropylene can make very nice bondage ropes and, if strong enough, might even be used to "tie someone to the ceiling". Only one side note: synthetics usually have low friction. That makes them unsuitable to some shibari techniques that rely on friction. As a result, using hardware store synthetics, you might need some more knots (and need to tie them right).

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RE: Quick Question: Rope - 6/25/2008 6:28:02 AM

TheHungryTiger

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When you say 'rope from the hardware store' you make it sound like its just one monolithic thing. But there is a wide range of stuff you might find at a hardware store. Manilia, MFP, SFP, nylon, cotton, solid braid, three strand twist, core-n-sheath.Some of these are great for bondage, some suck giant flaming donkey balls.

Just look for 2 things. Feel the rope. If it feels nice then it will be nice (except for a few rare exceptions). Second, dont try and do all the math in your head about diamater/thickness of the rope. 7/16, 1/4, 3/8, 4mm, 6mm, 8mm. Unless your experenced, you will never remember what diamater is what. Just find somwething that is the diamater of a pencil or thicker. Anything thinner than that will dig into the skin and give nerve compresion dammage.

Speciality made bondage ropes are more than just better texture. Thats important also, but what seperates a bondage rope from a rope you get at a hardware store is its function. A good bondage rope will have added extra features that increases its utility. Centermarks. Buttons. Pointstop fraying. Its easy enough to alter your rope yourself to include these features. But untill you have the skills in order to use these extra features, I wouldent worry abotu adding them to your rope.

And I feel I shoudl say a word or two about length. People totaly new to buy ropes (or cut their own) in lengths that wind up being too short for practical use. I suggest you use the 'double double double' rule. Measure the person you will be tying from fingertip to fingertip with their arms outstreched. Double that number for a good short length that can be used for single limb cuffs or tied spread eagel to the bedposts. Double THAT number for a good medium length that can be used for hogties, rope bras, and general purpose work. Double THAT number for a good long length that can be used for rope dresses, corsets, and full torso harnesses. In other words, 10-13 feet for short lengths, 20-26 feet for medium lengths. 40-52 feet for long lengths. You may think a 5 foot length of rope is a lot, but its way shorter that what you realy need.

And obviously, if you do choose to skip the hardware store and buy a specility bondage rope I will suggest you check out my sig file.

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RE: Quick Question: Rope - 6/25/2008 11:32:14 AM

XxSpiderxX

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Honestly, as a big fan of shibari, I have to recommend the following site, as it is almost exhaustive for resources on rope...
http://www.bdsm-chicago.com/cram/CRAM_tuts.html
Quite seriously everything you need to know without having to buy anything but rope.
Check it out...

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RE: Quick Question: Rope - 7/6/2008 5:39:18 PM

Esinem

Posts: 156
Joined: 5/9/2006
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quote:

ORIGINAL: XxSpiderxX

Honestly, as a big fan of shibari, I have to recommend the following site, as it is almost exhaustive for resources on rope...
http://www.bdsm-chicago.com/cram/CRAM_tuts.html
Quite seriously everything you need to know without having to buy anything but rope.
Check it out...

The site suggests all sorts of rope lengths but shibari is based on 7-8m lengths only. I'm told this is determined by a rope being 2 x the rigger's arm span when the rope is doubled. Why? It can always be pulled through in a single movement.

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RE: Quick Question: Rope - 7/6/2008 8:30:46 PM

MistressMiracle

Posts: 56
Joined: 9/23/2007
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Hello everyone. Hope you all had a great holiday weekend. I used to use rope, but personally, there was always the concern of untying, and "burns". So, I switched to what I call, bungie cords. It was suggested to me by a Master friend of mine, and I thought it was a marvelous idea. it's quick, and, assorted sizes cover most needs quickly:)

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RE: Quick Question: Rope - 7/6/2008 11:12:16 PM

SNoB

Posts: 145
Joined: 2/26/2008
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A top that doesnt use rope, naming the reasons of "untying" or burns, is either, A. unskilled and you might not want to play with them. or B. Lazy.

If the top just says "I just dont like using rope, its not my thing" thats legit.

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RE: Quick Question: Rope - 7/24/2008 7:04:07 PM

handsthatbind

Posts: 7
Joined: 5/20/2007
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Esinem

quote:

ORIGINAL: XxSpiderxX

Honestly, as a big fan of shibari, I have to recommend the following site, as it is almost exhaustive for resources on rope...
http://www.bdsm-chicago.com/cram/CRAM_tuts.html
Quite seriously everything you need to know without having to buy anything but rope.
Check it out...

The site suggests all sorts of rope lengths but shibari is based on 7-8m lengths only. I'm told this is determined by a rope being 2 x the rigger's arm span when the rope is doubled. Why? It can always be pulled through in a single movement.

Cool link -

As for my view, its simple as feel it before you buy it, if you can of course. I have bought both hardware store rope and rope from online sites and usually you will find a use for them so it won't go to waste. Experimentation is the best way to find a rope style/material you can work with.

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