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Ropemaking Videos from Around the World

This collection of videos from the web shows traditional ropemaking from cultures around the world. They are far better than any video I could make.

You notice right away that though the materials and the tools change from place to place, it's all made the same way. There is no "right" way, just many different ways to twist fibers in one direction, then wrap them the other way.

Country Video Link
Åland Islands Rope making at spring fair, Åland Islands.
Using a reproduction 19th Century wooden rope twister.
 
https://youtu.be/p1KsDv3Yz-A
American West
 
Horsehair 'mecate' rope maker.
 
https://youtu.be/vP_yf9DE0eM
American West
 
How the Cowboy Makes his Lariat 1917.
Making hair rope with a spinner.
 
https://youtu.be/CSUUsLeWYS8
Australia String Making.
Hand twisting two-ply rope.
 
https://youtu.be/reSdsm_W-G8
Australia The Urban-Abo Bushcraft: Cordage (Thigh-Rolling Nettle Fibers).
Thigh rolling two-ply rope.
 
https://youtu.be/FjvNVMVTqBg
Bangladesh Hand twist jute rope making process, Bangladesh.
 
https://youtu.be/CY9B5vdjzqk
Colombia Apice: The Last Ropemakers
Interesting bow-powered spindle.
 
https://youtu.be/QhGKPt7Cq6Q
Denmark Rebslageren - håndværk der forsvinder
Traditional and modern (1940) ropemaking.
 

https://www.danmarkpaafilm.dk/film/rebslageren
Denmark Making lime bast rope at the Viking Ship Museum
 

https://www.facebook.com/Vikingeskibsmuseet/videos/making-lime-bast-rope-at-the-viking-ship-museum/10153926644636487/
 

Ecuador Creating trenzas (braided rope) from paja in Urbina, Ecuador
Twisting single-ply straw rope with only a straight stick.
 
https://youtu.be/yrGxs_LRve0
England Walter Lloyd Rope Making
Making rope with a three hook Jack, with a reel, and by hand.
 
https://youtu.be/TSXagKiAubE
England Wyedean - Making Royal Horse Artillery Horse Leads Using a Rope Walk
Three-ply ropemaking with simple power tools.
 
https://youtu.be/LvObdzgpkD4
India Rope Indian Village People Making in Hand work
 
https://youtu.be/om4aqRWeMhw
Ireland Hay Rope Making Demonstration at Dún na Sí Heritage Park
Single-ply straw ropemaking with a crank.
 
https://youtu.be/-LZQstQ2dIY
Italy Benvenuti nell'Antica Corderia della Famiglia Verona a Thiene, Vicenza
Three-ply ropemaking with a wheel driven jack.
 
https://youtu.be/_5bRcnKOtSE>
Japan Old Engines in Japan (Extra) 1925~1950s Straw Rope Making Machine
Antique two-ply ropemaking machine.
 
https://youtu.be/w8lIMAlHghQ
Japan Old Japan - Making Rope by Hand
Using palm twisting method.
 
https://youtu.be/hSQ03d2jgE0
Lithuania Rope making in Lithuania (1939)
Using a reel and cranks.
 
https://youtu.be/GAjbOGSCkBo
Mexico Maguey : plant of a thousand uses.
Maguey, also known as Sisal.
 
https://youtu.be/RhvUuymZ0L4
Mongolia Camel Hair Rope Foal Halter (2009)
Hand twisting two-ply hair rope.
 
https://youtu.be/AwcgAm6Dc1k
Netherlands A lost Craft - Traditional rope making
Four-ply (shroud laid) rope on a small rope-walk.
 
https://youtu.be/d53_S89owZg
Norway Lime Bast Rope
From tree to rope.
 
https://vimeo.com/195692949/description
Norway Making a four strand rope of tarred hemp
19th Century ropewalk.
 
https://youtu.be/Bquft1_ezIs
Peru Ancient Quechua tradition preserved in the Q'eswachaka Bridge (Andes, Peru)
Making the famous Inca rope bridge.
 
https://youtu.be/x8jw3EtNP-s
Philippines Abaka Rope Making.
Making Manilla (Abaca) rope with a reel.
 
https://youtu.be/i5Cu7I5Rejg
Scotland Da Makkin O' a Keshie
Two strand, hand twisted straw rope.
 
https://movingimage.nls.uk/film/1127
Spain Cuerdas y sogas artesanas elaboradas con fibras vegetales
Breaking, skutching, hatchelling, spinning, and laying rope.
 
https://youtu.be/sfaLUi-qtnA
Sweden The Rope Walk - Traditional Rope Making for a Swedish East India Ship.
Another 19th Century ropewalk.
 
https://youtu.be/bYR8Ocw-Fko
Switzerland Bäuerliche Seilerei (1966) | Hanfseil-Herstellung auf einem Bauernhof in der Schweiz.
Family farm ropemaking.
 
https://youtu.be/E_LYRDi6Zsc

 

Other Countries, Other Names

What do you call a ropemaker in other languages?

 

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