The cheap availability of modern cord – all-but makes the skill of cord making obsolete – so what might we gain from learning this skill?
Let’s face some facts here – the likelihood of us ever being “suddenly stranded” on a desert island and having to build a “Swiss Family Robinson” style dwelling or having to “suddenly need” to climb an icy mountain or make a rope is somewhat remote.
However, the risk of us breaking a shoelace, rucksack strap or finding a damaged guy line after a windy night on the hill – is all too real. With a little knowledge and experience these become insignificant disruptions and do not snow-ball into major disappointments or rescue events.
The making of nettle cordage is almost a “Land-mark” event in bushcraft, despite the stings – which we soon learn to ignore in the knowledge that surprisingly strong cord can be made within a few minutes.
Becoming proficient in Cord-craft is the foundation of many related skills like sewing, fishing, making traps & snares and more. It becomes a small step to sew on a button, repair a rip in a jacket, replace a guy line or build an improvised shelter or a fishing line – once grasped, the basics can be built upon for all sorts of applications and circumstances.
