Manila Rope – Natural Fibre Rope
3 Strand Manila Rope. Sizes 4mm through to 48mm. Sold by the Coil or by the Metre. To Buy or Pricing 
Manila Rope is very durable, flexible, and resistant to saltwater damage, allowing its use in rope, hawsers, ships lines, and fishing nets. Don't confuse this with Sisal or Hemp Rope.
Uses also include decorative roles such as making handcrafts like bags, carpets, clothing, and furniture. It is commonly found with landscaping projects in the garden, fencing lines, and between bollards. Manila Rope shrinks when wet.
Choosing the correct size is important as using undersized rope causes undue strain on the rope. Proper selection of the right rope size is the greatest factor in getting full use and long life from your rope. Proper handling and care will ensure a longer useful life out the rope. Ensure the rope is always dry before storing. Storing wet rope causes mildew and rot. If the rope is going to be sitting on a concrete floor we recommend putting it on top of the planking/pallet to prevent contact with the floor. If your manila rope becomes dirty, gritty or muddy it should be washed and dried thoroughly to ensure longevity. Please note kinks can cause rope failure and permanent damage. We recommend removing these or straightening them out when you see them.
Manila Rope – Natural Fibre Rope
Manila rope is made from the fibre of abaca, part of the banana family. Abaca has been in use since the 19th century after succeeding hemp fibre rope in popularity because of its durability and load-bearing properties.
The name Manila refers to the Philippines where abaca is an indigenous plant and was first cultivated there for cordage manufacturing. The Philippines are the world’s major producer of abaca fibre. Abaca has also been cultivated in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Central America.
Rope manufactured from abaca shrinks when wet, so the new manila rope is wet then dried to mitigate shrinkage. As with other natural fibres, it is important to ensure they do not remain wet to prevent decomposition/rot. Wood preservatives may be applied to the manila rope to extend its life. If it has been wet allow airflow and/or the sun to dry it out. This ensures a long-lasting rope.
Manila rope is a functional multi-purpose product for use at home, in marine and décor applications for interiors and exteriors. This low stretch hard-wearing rope softens with use and has an inherent natural resistance to fungal attacks and moisture. It also resists abrasion well.
It is important to understand that as a natural fibre there is a larger break load variance than in man-made products so the load can only ever be approximated.
Features For Landscaping Rope Include:
- The strongest natural fibre,
- Low stretch,
- Hard-wearing,
- Great general purpose rope,
- Biodegradable,
- Non-conductive (when dry),
- It is flexible and gets a nice soft agile feel after the initial 'running in' period,
- Good abrasion resistance,
- Pretty good resistance to fungus and moisture,
- The general opinion is that this is a nicer looking rope to plain synthetic ropes
- Ease of handling making knot-ability easier
If Using For Landscaping Projects - Please Read and Note the Below Information. This Relates to Measuring Your Manila Rope.
Natural ropes generally shrink 10% to 15% in length - temporarily, until they dry out - whenever it rains. natural ropes also tend to run oversize in diameter, so we suggest that you get your rope first, then drill the holes. Suggested minimum sizes - 1 1/2" holes for 1" rope, 1 7/8" holes for 1 1/4" , 2 1/4" holes for 1 1/2", 3" holes for 2".
Why So big?
Because when the Manila rope shrinks in length it increases in diameter. So if, after it rains, the rope doesn't have room to 'breathe' and dry out completely where it's going through the holes, it will rot in those spots.
If you're planning to replace old Manila rope, the following is very important:
If the old rope measures 2" in diameter, it probably did not start out as 2" rope. It is more likely 1 1/2" rope that has swelled up over time to 2". Accordingly, if it measures 3" in diameter, it was almost surely 2" when it was new. So if you're putting new rope through existing holes, be sure to measure the holes, then order based on the above guidelines. Again, if the rope barely fits through the holes, moisture will collect in those spots and the rope will fail before its time.
ROPE LIFE FACTORS AND DAMAGE ASSESSMENT
There are basically three steps to consider in providing the longest possible service life, the safest conditions and long-range economy for ropes: Selection, Usage, and Retirement.
The use of a rope for any purpose subjects it to friction, bending and tension. All rope hardware, sheaves, rollers, capstans, cleats, as well as knots are, in varying degrees, damaging to the rope. It is important to understand that rope is a moving, working, strength member and even under the ideal conditions will lose strength during use in any application. Maximizing the safety of rope performance is directly related to how strength loss is managed and making sure ropes are retired from service before they can create a dangerous situation. Ropes are serious working tools and used properly will give consistent and reliable service. The cost of replacing a rope is extremely small when compared to the physical damage or personal injury a worn-out rope can cause.
