Conversations with Coner - Jute Vs Nylon

One is not better than the other 
They serve different purposes
There are pros and cons to each 

Aesthetics -

If I’m shooting in a barn or someplace rustic or traditional and want the image to look or feel a certain way I’ll shoot with jute

Shooting with latex or black and the concept is more chic - then I’ll shoot with nylon

Functionality -

Jute
Is easier to tie with 
Friction on jute is better, the rope grabs itself more
Can get by spending less time not tying actual knots

Disadvantages - messy fibers
If the model is wearing black I’ll stay away from jute

Nylon
Is slick and requires the ties to be good and the knots will need to hold on to each other

If I get a new piece of nylon, I sand it to give it tooth
I’ll wrap the sandpaper around the nylon and pull it through a few times  
It does take away the shine and it doesn’t look perfect afterward, 
but it makes the rope easier to work with

Hands down nylon is way WAY stronger

However, nylon seats which gives it the impression it stretches 

What that means is, if I’m doing a suspension, I need to anticipate the stretch in the beginning

Finishing

When I cut jute, I finish a piece of rope with an overhand knot which catches on pull throughs.
Nylon on the other hand has no knot and pulls thorough smooth.

WHAT I LOVE ABOUT JUTE

Adjustable knots are easy
If I’m tying crotch rope or something with tension, 
I can tie it and leave it and it won’t slip

It’s easier and quicker to tie with jute which maintains connection with bottom 

Slip knots are more difficult to adjust 

WHAT I LOVE ABOUT NYLON

Super easy to clean, drop it in lingerie bags and into the laundry and it’s good to go
With jute I use the sun or oven heat but it takes more care to get clean

When I am tying onto a harness with an upline, it’s easier with nylon because I can use a larks head

If I have loose ends and make an overhand knot I can make a few loops
put weight on it and at the end it comes right out
With jute it locks down, adding human weight the knot can be difficult if not impossible to get out 

Nylon lasts a long time - I’ve had some 8 years and it still works fine 
There is no maintenance no prep work no oils required 
It will change colors and fade before I need to change the rope

~ Coner, September 2020