Page 12 - The Pocket Guide to Essential Knots
P. 12
TYPES OF ROPE
Rope is generally divided into two types, Laid and Braided.
Laid Rope
Artificial rope can be twisted or laid like old-style natural fiber
rope. Usually three strands of artificial fiber are twisted together to
form a length of rope; this process can also be the same for cord,
string or twine. One very strong variation of three strands is four
strands of artificial fiber twisted around a central core of artificial
fiber.
The cost of laid rope is generally about two-thirds that of the
more widely used braided rope (see page 10). Laid rope, made of
thick multifilaments tightly twisted together, may be resistant to
wear, but it may also be difficult to handle because of its stiffness.
As a general rule do not buy rope that is too stiff to handle.
