How To Cordage From Rope
This is a quick method for making short pieces of cordage from tree bark. It has the advantage of being very quick and the cordage is very strong to boot.
You will need a knife or something similiar to use this cordage method. First step is to find a small tree or sapling. It needs to be something like American Beech or Blue Beech. Don't worry about being able to identify the species. Many different tree species will work. Simply look for a sapling that is straight, has few branches and most importantly has a thin tight bark.
Once you have found a sapling that fits your needs you simply hack into it to make a cut. Then you take your knife and cut/shave off a section of the side of the sapling. What you are left with is the sapling with one small side of the sapling removed.
You then simply run your knife point under the bark so that you make a cut that starts where the bark starts and have the knife exit the sapling about a half inch further around the sapling. So your knife should be skewering the tree with only a thin sliver of bark on one side of the knife and the rest of the sapling/tree on the other side.
Now carefully cut down with your knife separating the bark from the sapling. Try to not cut through for as long as possible. Now cut upwards as high as possible. What you should have is a long strip of bark that should resemble a piece of tape.
Next you take this strip and separate the bark from the thin wood adhering to it. Discard the bark side. What you are left with is a primitive string. This doesn't take long to master and once you are forced into doing it a few times you will soon recognize which types of saplings make the best and easiest cordage.
You will need a knife or something similiar to use this cordage method. First step is to find a small tree or sapling. It needs to be something like American Beech or Blue Beech. Don't worry about being able to identify the species. Many different tree species will work. Simply look for a sapling that is straight, has few branches and most importantly has a thin tight bark.
Once you have found a sapling that fits your needs you simply hack into it to make a cut. Then you take your knife and cut/shave off a section of the side of the sapling. What you are left with is the sapling with one small side of the sapling removed.
Now carefully cut down with your knife separating the bark from the sapling. Try to not cut through for as long as possible. Now cut upwards as high as possible. What you should have is a long strip of bark that should resemble a piece of tape.
Next you take this strip and separate the bark from the thin wood adhering to it. Discard the bark side. What you are left with is a primitive string. This doesn't take long to master and once you are forced into doing it a few times you will soon recognize which types of saplings make the best and easiest cordage.
