Rope treating and care

with switchtext

Cost per individual: Bound: Free | Tied: $10 | Wrapped: $15|Non-Member: $20

Class Description:

So you have new, untreated natural fiber rope.... And it’s pretty scratchy. Well let’s fix that. Unless you like it scratchy.. (Which some people do?)

We are going to show you how we treat new jute rope specifically, but some of these techniques apply to hemp as well. Some of you may have purchased some great rope recently from My Nawashi (great stuff by some good friends of ours in Dallas) We have a lot of their rope, and we have made it with them in their studio. Untreated rope can be significantly less expensive than rope treated for bondage, because as you will learn, there it a lot that can go into well treated rope. But many people love finding a deeper connection with your rope through treating and maintaining it yourself.

This class will cover how we break/polish, singe/burn off, wax and bake our rope to make it more soft, useable, and sensual. This can be done to your own taste. If there is time we will also cover whipping, knotting and other rope end options. We will also cover how to maintain your rope over time, which includes waxing, burning, oiling and other ways to keep your rope in good shape. We will not cover how to spin rope from twine, though we would love to in a future class. You are welcome to follow along with your rope, and we can help with any questions you might have along the way.

If you would like to share your own technique with the class that would be great too - anyone experienced in making / treating / maintaining rope will be welcome to share their techniques.

The first hour of class will be a presentation and demonstration of the techniques, and the remainder of the time will be to treat your kit, with help along the way from Switchtext.

6mm, 8m, partially MyNawashi rope will be available for sale at $20/hank

What to bring:

• Rope to discuss, evaluate, and practice with
• Work gloves if you have them
• Clothes that you don’t mind having lots of rope fiber on
• A carabiner or two
• Jojoba oil, mineral oil, beeswax if you have them
• Rags / old towel
• Pliers
• Camp stove with fuel if you have one, as this will allow more people to get their rope burned off
• Scissors

About the Instructor:

Switchtext (he/him)

Switchtext is a designer and a co-founder and creative director of Studio Friction. He is more interested in sensations and understanding the elements of rope bondage than mastering someone’s specific pattern. Switchtext has been tying for 16 years. He has learned so much in that time and enjoys knowing he has so much more to learn.

Important event information:

• Please arrive on time or a bit early so that we can get started promptly.
• Registration & payment required online in advance.
• Bring a photo ID that matches the name listed in your online registration for admittance.
• No refunds or credits on cancellations within 24 hours of event (contact office@studiofriction.com with extenuating circumstances)
• You must be at least 19 years old to attend events at Studio Friction.