Jute
| Jute is an excellent choice for Shibari. It holds knots well, is relatively strong, and looks and feels great. Jute is a natural fibre, and Jute ropes improve with age (although other time they do get to a point where they become too thin and need to be retired). |
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Pros
- Traditional
- Inexpensive
- Lightweight
- Strong
- Low stretch
- Flexible
Cons
- Absorbent
- Sheds fibres
- Slightly scratchy, especially for those with texture sensitivities
Texture and Feel
One of the primary advantages of jute rope is its texture. The fibers are coarse yet pliable, allowing for a secure grip while also being moderatly gentle on the skin (it can be slightly scratchy although how scratchy it is depends on how its been treated). This characteristic is particularly important in shibari, where the comfort of the bound individual is paramount. The natural fibers of jute also allow for breathability, reducing the risk of overheating during extended sessions.
One of the primary advantages of jute rope is its texture. The fibers are coarse yet pliable, allowing for a secure grip while also being moderatly gentle on the skin (it can be slightly scratchy although how scratchy it is depends on how its been treated). This characteristic is particularly important in shibari, where the comfort of the bound individual is paramount. The natural fibers of jute also allow for breathability, reducing the risk of overheating during extended sessions.
Enviromential
Jute is a natural fibre and is bio-digradable, but during the process of treating the fibres to create yarn JBO - Jute Batch Oil is a petrol derivate that is used in the treatment of Jute ropes. Ropes which have been made for industrial use contain a strong petrol smell (attempts should not be made to boil or bake JBO out of ropes as the gas realised can be fatal). It is possible to get Jute Ropes which are made without the use of JBO however they tend to get high stranded very quickly and go out shape, and if they get damp they swell and the rope is ruined. For bondage ropes the sweet spot seems to be between 1-3% JBO content which results in ropes that don't smell, have a low risk of creating a skin reaction, but are stable enough for bondage.
Traditional
Some people see Jute as the 'traditional' rope for Shibari, but it should be noted that a wide variety of ropes are used for bondage in Japan - and that in the early days of Shibari many top riggers used Cotton ropes.
