Looking for a good source for rope and tools.

General Discussion
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Hello, I’m in the United States and looking for a source for “hard – laid” cotton cord, 3mm (1/8 inch). i’m trying to follow Mikko Snellman‘s video on making a Spanish ring bracelet. The only cotton cord I can find it’s for macramé and it’s very soft and limp. It’s somewhat difficult to tie. I’ve searched for everything I can think of on Amazon and other sites. Not having any luck.

Also wondering about not tying tools used by others. What type of fids do you like and where did you get them?

Thanks!

Doug

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Hi Doug. I would try here. > Marty Combs 100% Cotton Cordage – Beagle Bay Knotworks

If nothing there to your liking, then a general search on the browser of your choice should get you there.

SS

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Howdy, knots and rope supply. Could be a good supplier of 3 strand cotton

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And > Blood Knot custom cordage | BloodKnot

As for tools, what are you looking for? Mikko makes and sells.

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Thank you all! I picked up some cordage from Beagle Bay. Hopefully this thread can be a resource for others looking for supplies.

As for fids, I am just curious as to what people prefer. I picked up a set, but I’m not sure I like it, but I have nothing to compare it to.

Thank you!

Doug

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Glad you found some cord. Share with us what you make.

I, personally like “Gripfids”. I am fortunate enough to have the wherewithall to have made my own. That and a self made pricker, etc.

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I use a Swedish Fid, this is what I would mainly use for splices, finishing fancywork, and weaving Ocean and Prolong mats.

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Image: Wikimedia Commons File:Swedish fid.png - Wikimedia Commons

Mine is pretty much exactly what is shown in this photo except I padded the palm-handle with a decorative Turk’s Head worked into a hemisphere. I’ll get a photo for reference.

I had never heard of a Gripfid @SS369 but they are very cool tools! I had to websearch for info, it turns out they are designed to pull the cordage backwards through the gap opened up by the fid, which seems very neat and efficient compared with the Swedish Fid method of pushing a bendy rope forwards through the fid channel.

I found this video which explains how they work, shows them being made. They are available from the website of the people who made the video Ply-split Braiding Gripfids, Cordmakers, Books (USA only, sadly)

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