Rope care for your ropes

A good rope lasts longer when it's properly cared for.

Rope care at Ropes & Riggers

All the care products on this page are products we use ourselves in the workshop. This applies to both our rope pastes and our oils.

We don't believe there's a single right way to care for jute rope. Therefore, we've chosen to offer several different solutions, so you can find the one that best suits you, your ropes, and the way you tie.

“We developed our care products because we were missing them. Not because we were missing more products on the shelf.”

 

Why care for your jute ropes?

Jute is a natural material. This also means that the ropes change over time.t

They are exposed to friction, strain, and many hours of use. That's part of the charm of natural ropes, but it also means they benefit from a little care from time to time.

There isn't one right way to do it. Some prefer rope paste, others use oil, and many have their own routines. The most important thing is that you find a solution that suits you and your ropes.

Our approach to rope care

We keep it simple.

We do not treat our ropes after every tie, nor do we use large quantities of oil or rope paste.

When a rope starts to feel a bit dry or loses the surface we want to preserve, we give it a light treatment. Usually, that's more than enough.

“You almost always need less rope care than you think. Start with a little. You can always give the rope more later.”

Rope paste or rope oil?

That's a question we get asked often.

There isn't one right answer.

Rope paste

Rope paste is easy to work with and a good choice for ongoing maintenance. Our rope paste is made with Danish beeswax and is available with both tsubaki oil and jojoba oil.

Camelia oil

Tsubaki oil is the classic choice and has been used in Japan for generations to care for natural materials. It is used directly on the rope or as an ingredient in homemade rope paste.

Jojoba oil

Jojoba oil is an organic, unrefined oil with a long shelf life. Many choose it for both caring for ropes and as a base in their own rope paste.

FiftyFifty Rope Oil

Some choose tsubaki. Others choose jojoba.

We liked both.

That's why we created FiftyFifty Rope Oil, where the two oils are combined in one blend.

“We are not trying to tell you which solution is the right one. We are giving you the opportunity to choose the one that suits you best.”

 

Frequently asked questions

How often does rope need to be maintained?

It depends on how much they are used. We give our ropes a light treatment when they start to feel dry.

Can you use both oil and paste?

Yes. Many people use oil first and finish with a light application of rope paste.

Can you use too much?

Yes.

It is one of the most common mistakes. Better to use a little at a time.

Can I make my own paste?

Yes.

But we've already made it easy for you 😉

But you can use our tsubaki oil and pure jojoba oil to make your very own rope paste