Proper Use and Care of Cordage and Synthetic Ropes :

• Avoid Overloading – The lower limit of the working load range should be used where life or limb is involved for exceptional service conditions such as shock loads, sustained loads, etc. You should never exceed the listed working load range except as indicated above. If your rope is old or worn, you should make additional allowances to assure safety.
• Avoid Abrasion – Out and inner rope fibers contribute equally to the strength of your rope. When worn, your rope is naturally weakened. Where it is necessary for a rope to rub over an object, protect it with chafing gear such as canvas wrapped and tied around the rope.
• Avoid Sudden Strain – A rope that is strong enough under a steady strain can be broken with a sudden jerk. Care when working with rope is extremely important.
• Avoid Kinks – When a rope is repeatedly turned or twisted in one direction, it is certain that kinks will develop, unless twists are repeatedly thrown in, or out of the rope. Pulling a kink through a restricted space such as a tackle block will seriously damage the rope fibers.
• Avoid Sharp Angles – Sharp bends greatly affect the strength of a rope. any sharp angle is a weak spot. Pad for safety, and even then, BE CAREFUL!
• Reverse ends – Prolonged use, or wear, of one part of a rope will naturally decrease its effectiveness at that point. Occasionally reverse your rope, end-for-end, to distribute the wear more evenly. A good example is an anchor line aboard a boat.
• Avoid chemicals – Virtually all synthetic fiber ropes are resistant to damage from oil, gasoline, paint, and most chemicals. To be on the safe side, however, keep your rope free of any type of chemical. Natural fiber ropes are, of course, can be severely damaged by exposure to chemicals.
• Keep Rope clean – Dirt on the surface and embedded in the rope acts as an abrasive on fibers. When rope becomes dirty, wash it thoroughly with clean water. Be sure to dry natural fiber ropes before storing them.
• Avoid Improper Storage – Cordage and Synthetic ropes require no special storing conditions other than keeping them out of direct sunlight, away from the elements and out of extremely hot rooms. The ultra-violet rays of sunlight have a weakening effect on a rope that is exposed for prolonged periods of time. Natural fiber ropes must, of course, be kept dry or they will rot in a very short time.

For all of your cordage and synthetic ropes needs, please give our knowledgeable, friendly sales staff a call at (504)-944-3366.