I just looked at some competitors prices for hemp and jute rope. I can’t believe you are often paying double what I charge at ESINEM-Rope for 8 x 8m! In fact, probably more as most seem to charge shipping on top where as I post free anywhere by Airmail or 1st Class Mail. Since I almost always ship from stock within 48hrs or so, you won’t be waiting weeks. Here are a few examples:
This looks to be pretty similar to Monk’s NU-Jute at $240 for 8 (plus shipping, I believe). Admittedly, this recent batch of “6mm” is closer to 5mm but there’s always the 7mm, which with use would be closer to 6mm as it is 0.5mm under size anyway. It’s so light and flexible, I only oil and singe this for my own use. Washing is superfluous. Boss Bondage, for example, want $160, plus shipping, against my $108 all in for my equivalent 5mm (Tossa).
Set of 8 x 6mm Tossa Lite jute, under $90/£54 shipped free world wide
A super soft very pale jute in 3-ply (each with 11 double twisted yarns), knotted and whipped. This doesn’t need washing. It’s ready to go after an optional oiling/waxing. The closest I can find is from Only Japan, pre-waxed waxed and burned, at $515 shipped.
Set of 8 x 6mm Ichiban Light jute, under $150/£90 shipped free world wide
This is hemp but not as we know it, Jim! The finest you have seen with around 40 ultra-fine linen threads per ply; not the usual lumpy bumpy stuff that stinks like a farmyard silage pit. This is totally consistent with no visible yarn joins so is beautifully defined for perfect rope-marks. What’s more, it achieves optimal softness without any tedious wet treatment after a couple of uses. Twistemonk charges $232 + shipping for 8 hemp ropes.
Set of 8 x 6mm Amanawa linen hemp, under $155/£95 shipped free world wide
Most of my 8 rope sets fall well below the US $200 duty free allowance and EU customers are duty and tax free anyway. Is there something I don’t know about or is it just that you don’t know?!Given the glowing feedback I get both personally and on Fetlife, it must be the latter.
That said, most my sales are non-UK and I can’t complain as sales grow daily. This is in spite of my listings being a total mess and incomplete, although there is a massive exercise going on right now to rationalise them on eBay, Amazon and ESINEM-Rope. The first listings to be sorted out are those for Tossa Lite on ebay UK, with Tossa and Amanawa next. Here’s an example which now has one listing for each type and diameter with drop-down menus to select set size and whether you want untreated, dry or wet treated. Much clearer now, eh? Templates and photos with be standardised for easy comparison and to make it easier to update. Once this is done, it can be rolled out across all the platforms.
