5 Common Items You Can Turn Into Cordage
1. Tape
One of the many things that duct tape can do is to turn into cordage. Twist it from a flat ribbon into a rounded strand. Many other types of tape can be twisted into cord as well.
2. Cloth
Even crappy strips of old cloth can increase in strength when you twist them. These can even be twisted together into a two-ply rope for more than twice the strength.
3. Bark
Tree bark with good tensile strength and flexibility can come from many different species of tree. In the east, I favor basswood and mulberry for their great strength. I‘ll also use tulip poplar for light-duty chores, as it’s plentiful and somewhat strong.
4. Sinew
This is “rope” that ties muscle to bone, and it’s incredibly strong. Dried strips of tendon can be pounded with a rock to separate the fibrous sinew. This is spliced and twisted into very strong cord, but be careful. It will fall apart if it becomes soaked with water.
5. Leather
A strip of leather makes a great piece of cord, and you don’t even need a long piece of leather to cut it from. Take small chunks and random scraps of leather and cut them in a spiral pattern. Keep your remnant the same width and continue your spiral cut until you have the length of leather strip that you need.
What’s the weirdest thing you’ve used for cordage before? Please tell us your findings by leaving a comment.