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Sourcing 'Pita'/Sisal Fiber (Read 2679 times)
Archaic Arms
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Sourcing 'Pita'/Sisal Fiber
Jan 14th, 2020 at 11:07pm
 
One would think that this very common material used for making ropes and rugs, would be quite easy to find in its raw state. It seems however, that really no online shops are selling this venerable fiber, which can make a very durable, and yet flexible, sling. Does anyone know anyone that sells this fiber?

If not, then has anyone found an efficient way of extracting the fiber from sisal rope?
The method I use is to unravel the rope, soak it, and use a strong comb to take off the shorter fibers. This works, but I'm curious to hear what others do.
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Lewis
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TheJackinati
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Re: Sourcing 'Pita'/Sisal Fiber
Reply #1 - Jan 14th, 2020 at 11:13pm
 
I'd say your best bet is to see if you can grow your own.

That is, if your climate can support it. Otherwise, it's probably more of a domestic good, so You'd probably have to search along that basis.

You can also likely find it at some shops as sisal cordage. However, they don't generally tend to be of a high quality and sometimes they have this lingering oily petrochemical scent... not great.
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joe_meadmaker
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Re: Sourcing 'Pita'/Sisal Fiber
Reply #2 - Jan 15th, 2020 at 11:07am
 
Not a lot, but there are a few options here: https://www.etsy.com/search?q=sisal%20fiber.  You could try some other search terms as well.  When looking for cordage in recent days, I find myself checking Etsy more often.
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Jaegoor
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Re: Sourcing 'Pita'/Sisal Fiber
Reply #3 - Jan 15th, 2020 at 5:28pm
 
Die Faser ist nicht so haltbar. Ein Jahr und die Schleuder muß neu gemacht werden.
Ich suche esparto.
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Re: Sourcing 'Pita'/Sisal Fiber
Reply #4 - Jan 16th, 2020 at 8:10am
 
@
Jaegoor

Do you have the scientific name of esparto?
I want to see if there any around here and try it.

Edit: I thought "esparto" was a german name of a plant. just googled it https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esparto
it's Stipa tenacissima
from wiki "For Greeks, Phoenicians and Romans, esparto was the best raw material for boat ropes."
so I'd guess it has some water resistance(?)
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« Last Edit: Jan 16th, 2020 at 5:39pm by Sarosh »  
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walter
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Re: Sourcing 'Pita'/Sisal Fiber
Reply #5 - Jan 17th, 2020 at 9:19pm
 
grass family - Poaceae  Wink
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George Besendorfer
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Re: Sourcing 'Pita'/Sisal Fiber
Reply #6 - Jan 19th, 2020 at 1:46am
 
I would be interested in buying some good long sisal fiber. I just made a sling form jute and I can tell it is not go to hold up like my old sisal fiber slings. I had to break down and comb out the short fibers when I used to make sisal fiber slings. The fibers found on Etsy don’t look right to me.
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Jaegoor
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Re: Sourcing 'Pita'/Sisal Fiber
Reply #7 - Jan 19th, 2020 at 6:46am
 
Ich habe alle gängigen Fasern versucht.
Es gibt drei, die ich bevorzuge.
Hanf, Esparto und Silk / seide.
Esparto hat ein sehr gutes Gewicht.
Diese Faser ist extrem fest und langlebig.
Sie bricht nicht wie Sisal oder jute.
Esparto ist völlig unempfindlich gegen Feuchtigkeit.
Selbst nass verändert sich die Faser nicht.

Hanf ist leicht zu beschaffen. Lässt sich gut verarbeiten, hat ein gutes Gewicht. Die Faser ist sehr stabil. Aber sie ist nicht gut bei Nässe. Deshalb waxse ich sie regelmäßig. Meine bevorzugte Schleuder schieße ich seit 12 Jahren. Zig tausend Schuß hat sie schadlos überstanden. Sie wird mich ins Grab begleiten. 😁

Seide. Ein fantastisches Material. Tusa seide mag ich am liebsten. Gerade für hohe Distanzen sehr gut geeignet. Sehr haltbar.
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George Besendorfer
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Re: Sourcing 'Pita'/Sisal Fiber
Reply #8 - Jan 19th, 2020 at 5:04pm
 
Esparto looks like real nice sling fiber. Do you soak it, beat it and comb the fiber before braiding? I found one YouTube video where the fiber was not processed. Also, it looks like the grass grows naturally in Spain but I could not find anything in the U.S.  Great information!
Thanks
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Re: Sourcing 'Pita'/Sisal Fiber
Reply #9 - Jan 20th, 2020 at 4:45am
 
I think you can buy fibers from this guy http://slinging.org/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1384364968/0#0 .
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Re: Sourcing 'Pita'/Sisal Fiber
Reply #10 - Jan 20th, 2020 at 3:16pm
 
Thank you! I sent a message.
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Re: Sourcing 'Pita'/Sisal Fiber
Reply #11 - Jan 20th, 2020 at 8:17pm
 
I have seen a lot of braided sweet grass in herb stores and hanging from car rear view mirrors. Thinking about braiding a sweet grass sling to see how well it works Smiley
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Re: Sourcing 'Pita'/Sisal Fiber
Reply #12 - Apr 4th, 2020 at 12:13am
 
I have recently obtained some sisal twine from here: https://rightrope.com/product/sisal-twine/
Its a good natural product, and is an easy way of obtaining sisal fibre.
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Lewis
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Re: Sourcing 'Pita'/Sisal Fiber
Reply #13 - Apr 4th, 2020 at 10:39am
 
I've bought sisal rope from a couple of sources now and it's been good stuff on both occasions. Also not very difficult or time consuming to extract fibre.

I'd also recommend trying manila rope, it's thicker fibres and has a different feel to sisal. I really like it.
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Re: Sourcing 'Pita'/Sisal Fiber
Reply #14 - Apr 6th, 2020 at 12:49pm
 
    Silk is one of the very few natural materials I haven't used yet.  I'll  have to give it a try.
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