So when I have 8 oz or so to prepair I turn into a ropemaker exraordinaire. No sooner do I get one batch prepaired that I start on the next. I get into a kind of rope frenzy. With a few batches done I positively enjoy it.
Preparing a Lot of Rope
- Thread starter pepperandjack
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You better post pictures or the group will start getting mad.
Are we talking about Manila, Pro-Manila, Hemp, Jute, Sisal, Coir, Cotton…? Pictures please. Enquiring minds want to know 
On a serious note, I’d like to see your process.
On a serious note, I’d like to see your process.
Is he talking about boating? Being a hangman? Repelling? It's just so hard to picture it without pictures.
Nope it's a lot less safe for work then any of that.
I kind of envision this, given "ropemaker extraordinaire" has been bestowed!
I'm all grown up; that is, there are certain things that I will no longer do, nor take seriously that I should do, like posting illustrative pictures. In a little less than a month I will be 69.
An important part of the peace of old age is picking things about which to no longer care.
Thus I claim patriarchal exception to picture posting, though, feeling your loss, will give you more words:
1) Start peeling the outer layers Ready a jar and cut a 6-12" segment of the rope
2) Unravel the outer layers, usually whole leaf of some type different than the inner.
3) As you penetrate into the inner portion you will find sub-ropes, if you will, all of them twisted themselves and all of them twisted together to form the rope proper.
4) So the task is to untwist any part of the rope that has been cylindrically twisted, teasing the tobacco into a flat sheet as far as you can.
5) Air dry overnight
6) Tear all the flattened pieces into smaller pieces, and grab bunches to be rubbed out.
Something I do care about: Ordering 500g of Black Rope.
An important part of the peace of old age is picking things about which to no longer care.
Thus I claim patriarchal exception to picture posting, though, feeling your loss, will give you more words:
1) Start peeling the outer layers Ready a jar and cut a 6-12" segment of the rope
2) Unravel the outer layers, usually whole leaf of some type different than the inner.
3) As you penetrate into the inner portion you will find sub-ropes, if you will, all of them twisted themselves and all of them twisted together to form the rope proper.
4) So the task is to untwist any part of the rope that has been cylindrically twisted, teasing the tobacco into a flat sheet as far as you can.
5) Air dry overnight
6) Tear all the flattened pieces into smaller pieces, and grab bunches to be rubbed out.
Something I do care about: Ordering 500g of Black Rope.
Sounds like work. I usually cut a few slices with a sharp knife or cigar cutter and grind them to preference with an herb grinder. After drying for a few minutes (30 or so) I’m ready to smoke. Generally I get several pipes-worth prepped in this manner and leave the rest in rope form until the next time around.
No wrong way to do though, and if it works for you it’s perfect,
No wrong way to do though, and if it works for you it’s perfect,
Pictures would’ve helped you sound less insane.
Looks like you've given yourself enough rope to hang yourself with. That's WAY too much work for me and far too many steps. Get a sharp knife, cut slices, rub it out.
I will lay my cigar cutter down flat on a table, insert a rope end down touching the table through the cutter, and slice. I just cut a whole rope section into slices in one setting and then dry it. I get nice thin slices that way, which rub out into almost a shag. But, that depends on the design of the cigar cutter.
I have used a coffee grinder (dedicated one to tobacco) to chop up rope tobacco as well as flakes , works like a charm . Start slowly and achieve the desired outcome … don’t overdo it
What you all are missing is what I would call the 250 y/o historicity of the rope preparation. Approaching the task completely by hand takes me back a few centuries to England, that was replete with shops catering to the needs of the pipe smoker, each with their own recipes for rope.
If you will, extravagantly old-fashioned, but I say honoring that which well deserves it.
If you will, extravagantly old-fashioned, but I say honoring that which well deserves it.