Hemp held the rigging of most of the world's shipping for several centuries, for two reasons that still apply: it gets stronger when it is wet, and it gives warning before it fails.
Indicative figures for three-strand natural hemp. Every batch differs; a rope for anything load-bearing needs its own certified figure from the maker.
| Diameter | Breaking load | Safe working load | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 mm | ~180 kg | ~18 kg | Twine, lashing, craft |
| 6 mm | ~400 kg | ~40 kg | Garden, macramé, light tie-down |
| 10 mm | ~1,100 kg | ~110 kg | Handrail, barrier, decorative |
| 16 mm | ~2,700 kg | ~270 kg | Mooring, heavy rigging |
| 24 mm | ~6,000 kg | ~600 kg | Structural, marine |
Most fibres weaken when wet; hemp gains. It is the property that put it in ships' rigging and it still matters for anything used outdoors.
Gains roughly 10–20%Hemp furs, thins and shows broken strands well before it parts. Synthetic rope frequently looks perfect and then fails without notice, which is worse in every situation.
Inspect the whole lengthNatural fibre rope has no place in life safety. It has no shock absorption, it degrades invisibly from the inside when stored damp, and it is not certified. Use rated synthetic.
This one is not a preferenceHemp does not melt, so it cannot be sealed with a lighter. A whipped end is the only proper finish and it takes three minutes.
Waxed whipping twine, loop pointing towards the rope end, with a long working end and a short tail sticking out the back.
Turn against turn, no gaps, for about the width of the rope's own diameter. Tight is the whole job.
Then pull the short tail hard. This drags the loop — and the working end with it — back under the wrapping.
Nothing showing, nothing to catch. A whipping done this way outlasts the rope.
Eventually, and faster if it stays wet without drying. Hemp resists mildew better than cotton or jute but it is still a natural fibre. Store it dry and coiled off the ground, and inspect anything structural every season.
A little under load and it shrinks when wet, sometimes enough to matter — a taut hemp line will tighten noticeably in rain. Leave slack in anything anchored at both ends.
Yes, though a rope takes dye unevenly through the lay unless you work it hard. Natural dyes suit it and the fading is even. Avoid softeners, which reduce grip.
Natural hemp rope furs with use and can prickle. A polished or waxed rope is kinder to hands; the fur is not a fault and is part of how it shows you its condition.