At Cancord, our primary focus is quality rope. Our team works continuously to improve both our products and our processes such that our customers know when they purchase from Cancord they are always getting the best possible rope at the best possible price.
A quality braided rope will have a smooth, uniform appearance when new. When purchasing a new piece of rope, look down the length of the rope for possible quality concerns, including but not limited to:
Broken Yarn Filaments which typically indicate the use of improperly maintained machinery. The result is lower overall rope strength and premature wear.
Looped or Pulled Strands which are the result of poor quality braiding, yielding a rope in which all of the yarn strands are not working together equally. This will result in lower strength and premature wear. Looped strands may also snag on anything in the surrounding environment, causing further unnecessary wear and damage to the rope.
Uneven Yarn Color or Sheen which often indicates the manufacturer has used inferior yarn or clearing lots of yarn. Many manufacturers do this to reduce costs. However, it can result in a variety of problems including reduced or inconsistent strength and premature wear.
Inconsistent Diameter which occurs as a result of poor braiding. It may indicate problems with the core of the rope, or the balance of the skin and the core. It will result in lower breaking strength and difficulties if the rope is run through any hardware.
Dirt on new rope, often in the form of grease or oils spots, is an indication that the manufacturer is not committed to quality and inspection.
Cancord ropes are manufactured using only premium quality yarns. We have an ISO 9001 quality control system, with many checks and balances in place to ensure you are getting only the highest quality product.
This article was featured in Cancord Rope Talk Issue 1. Download the full newsletter here.