One challenging thing about picking out the right rope for any project is sorting through the many styles available on the market today. Even if you have narrowed down your selection to a certain category of ropes, there will likely be a few different types within that category.
That’s the case with sisal, manila, and jute rope. These three products look somewhat similar, and you could easily think that they are basically the same thing. That’s not quite true, however, and you’ll want to understand the differences between them before placing an order. In this article, we’ll highlight how they are different and which to pick for your project.
No matter which ropes turn out to be the right choice for your needs, you can find what you’re looking for at SEACO. We carry a huge collection of quality rope products, including each of these three popular options. If you aren’t sure which one to order, reach out to our friendly team for more information. Thank you for stopping by and we hope to serve you soon!
Start with the Similarities
These three types of rope have a lot in common, so let’s start out by discussing how they are alike. For starters, all three ropes are made from natural fibers. This is an important point, as many ropes you’ll find on the market are created with artificial fibers, so sisal, manila, and jute are great options when you require a natural material. To be clear – artificial fibers make great ropes, and options like nylon and polyester are perfect for many applications, but they don’t work for everything. If your needs require a natural product, one of these three may be the right pick.
Since they are all made from natural fibers, it’s not surprising that they share a common look. Each has a light brown color, and a somewhat textured, rough appearance. In many ways, these are what you picture when thinking about a “traditional” rope – they look like the kinds of rope that have been around for generations, because they have been.
From a performance perspective, all three ropes will absorb water when used in a wet environment. That absorption will cause changes in the size and strength of the lines, so you need to keep that in mind when planning your project. If a rope that will keep water out is required, one of the many artificial options is going to be a better choice.
Sorting Them Out
Okay, so we have seen that these three types of ropes are quite similar in many ways. So what causes them to stand apart from one another? The points below should bring some clarity to the situation.
- Manila rope. This natural product comes from the abaca plant, which features harvestable leaves that produce fibers used for rope. While it shrinks in the water, as mentioned above, it also resists damage from saltwater; meaning it’s traditionally used for marine applications. Manila rope can be tied into knots effectively, but those knots may be difficult to undo after the rope gets wet and the knot tightens up as a result.
- Sisal rope. At first glance, it’s easy to mistake sisal rope for manila rope. However, if you look closer, you’ll find that the sisal version is rougher on the surface, due to the nature of fibers used, which are harvested from either the sisalana or agave plant. Sisal rope is a good fit for managing livestock.
- Jute rope. As the name suggests, jute rope comes from fibers that are found in jute plants. This product is a great pick for a natural rope that has a nice feel in the hand, as it is softer and more comfortable to use than the previous two styles of rope (especially sisal rope, which can be quite rough to work with). And, while the rope does naturally have the light brown appearance of a traditional natural rope, you can dye it different shades.
The Right Place to Shop
When shopping for rope, quality should always be at the top of your priority list. Any rope you use needs to live up to your performance expectations, and that will always be the case when you order from SEACO. We provide our customers with outstanding products, fair prices, and reliable customer service. With that said, there is only one thing left to do – place your first order today!