ravelnaut
Ravelnaut's Blog
"Cleverly Crafted Knots & Novelties"
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Cyber Sale on eBay (20% OFF!)
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Cyber Sale on eBay (20% OFF!)
#ravelnaut#infinityknotworks#paracord#self defense#monkey fist#marbleart#ParacordUnderground#knotwork
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Cyber Week on ETSY (25% OFF!)
#ravelnaut#cyberweek#paracord#ball and chain#morning star#Flail#monkey fist#rope work#Rope Sculpture#cosplay#knotwork
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Cyber Week on ETSY (25% OFF!)
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Cyber Week on ETSY (25% OFF!)
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Cyber Week on ETSY (25% OFF!)
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ETSY SALE! 25% OFF!
ETSY SALE! 25% OFF!
https://ravelnaut.etsy.com
Carts over $35 Ship FREE!!
CYBER WEEK STARTS NOW!!!
#ravelnaut#etsy#etsygifts#etsyseller#etsystore#etsyshop#etsyhandmade#fall sale#cyberweek#paracord#knotwork
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Removing My Paracord Steering Wheel Work after 6+ Years!
I recently removed some custom knotwork from the steering wheel of my car. The work had been done over 6 years ago. At the time, I was learning new things, and really drawn to nautical rope work. I chose a half hitch spiral coxcombing—also call French Hitching—that terminated into (incorporated) checkered 5x4 Turk’s Head Knots.
I was very proud of the work. In retrospect I wouldn’t have chosen to use paracord with a pattern. I have found that this interferes with fully appreciating the knotwork itself. This happens because the inherent lines of the knotwork get lost to the eye, obscured by the paracord surface pattern. Live and learn.
I came to the decision to remove the work after a “build up” of some nagging issues that nothing, short of complete removal, would alleviate.
Paracord is rather porous and is basically a grime magnet! The oils and dirt in your hands gradually build up and thus attract other particulates in the air, making for a rather icky steering wheel.
During days of rain, excessive moisture, or high humidity, the built-up layers of grime would get tacky. This would just be rather disgusting to feel while driving.
Cleaning wasn’t too bad, but it also wasn’t thorough. A saturated surface/automotive cleaning cloth was a great way to get some of the grime off—freshening up the steering wheel. For a time, it would feel and look better. But, upon closer inspection, all the finer places, that you couldn’t reach with the cloth, were still dirty.
The Removal
Taking the knot work off wasn’t too difficult; a modest spike to pry the work loose, and some side cutters was all that was needed.
Removing the work gingerly, and in small pieces was necessary to help decrease the amount of material being disturbed—I was reminded with every move, as small, 6-year puffs of accumulated particles were being released with every pull and/or snip.
Removing the cord work revealed further grime. Grime that had made it down to the steering wheel itself, either via the gaps in the work, or through the fibers over the six years of its installment. Using the cleaning clothes, it took three of them with excessive elbow-grease to wipe away the years of funk and grime that lie beneath the cordage.
To my surprise, the cord work had left, what currently seems to be, a permanent impression upon the soft stock material of the steering wheel.
My only guess is that due to Paracord, being mostly made of Nylon, constricts under heat and moisture. After over six years of Summer Sun and various midwest weather conditions—experienced by a car’s interior—the paracord acted like a slow and patient python; increasing its constriction ever so slightly over that time, ultimately leaving a deep impression in its wake.
Would I do it again?
I’m really not sure. It was cool for a time. But I am also old enough to remember a time when fancy steering wheel covers were applied by hand using leather thong, etc. I understand now why such material was used. The porous nature of paracord is inherently a dirt, grime and potential germ magnet. Not to mention, affecting the surface integrity of the steering wheel itself—Which could be a detracting aesthetic, possibly affecting resale value, in the eyes of some.
For now, along with the new and unexpected look, I'm enjoying the long overdue and clean feel of my old steering wheel.
#ravelnaut#steering wheel cover#knotwork#paracord#paracordsteeringwheel#steeringwheelparacord#550paracord
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Fall Clearance Sale!
I'm Running a Fall Sale/Clearance on eBay!
20% OFF for the Month of November!
Items SHIP FREE for CONUS!
International Shipping (to most countries) has been added.
#ebaystore#Sale#fall sale#clearance sale#ravelnaut#infinityknotworks#paracord#knotwork#edc#self defense#monkey fist#Pet Leashes
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Check out my Bookshelf on PangoBooks!
All books are for sale, and orders $20 and over ship FREE!
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“Maroon Monster”
* Type: Morning Star Flail
* Cordage(s) Used: 1/4” Utility Rope
* Materials: 3/4” PVC Pipe
* Total Length (in.): 31
* Total Weight (oz.): 22.8
Specs & Features
“Haft” (Handle)
* Grip
* Core Material: 3/4” PVC
* Covering Style: Over-2 Grafting
* Cordage: 550; Maroon
* Special Knotwork Accents
* Guard Knotwork: 16P16B Pineapple Knot
* Cordage: 550; Black, Maroon
* Pommel Knotwork: (Same)
* Cordage: (Same)
“Chain”
* Main Cordage feeds through the Haft.
* Securing Knotwork at the Terminations: 6-strand, Over-2 Footrope knot
* Cordage: 1/4” Utility Rope
* Cord-Work: 6-Strand Round Braid; 16”
“Head”
* Core: Billiard Ball; D2.25”, 6oz
* Cordage: 1/4” Utility Rope
* Knotwork:
* Multi-Strand Globe Knot of 8 Strands
* 8-Point Star Knot
* Diamond Sennit Knot
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“Blue-Lightning Flail”
Buy On Etsy
* Type: Ball & Chain Mace
* Cordage(s) Used: 3/8” Utility Rope, 550 Paracord, 95 Cord, Micro Cord
* Materials: 3/4” PVC Pipe, Billiard Ball
* Total Length (in.): 33
* Total Weight (oz.): 25.40
Specs & Features
“Haft” (Handle)
* Grip
* Core Material: 3/4” PVC Pipe
* Covering Style: Over-2 Grafting
* Cordage: 550 Graphite, Micro Cord Colonial Blue
* Special Knotwork Accents
* Guard Knotwork: 16Px16B Norton Knot
* Cordage: 550 Black, 95 Colonial Blue
* Pommel Knotwork: (Same)
* Cordage: (Same)
“Chain”
* Main Cordage feeds through the Haft.
* Securing Knotwork at the Terminations: Double Footrope Knot
* Cordage: 3/8” Utility Rope
* Cord-Work: 2-Strand Twist
“Head”
* Core: Billiard Ball; 2.25” D; 6oz
* Cordage: 3/8” Utility Rope
* Knotwork: Monkey Fist
#ravelnaut#paracord#knotwork#handmade#braided#knotted#ropework#nautical#monkeyfist#medievil#flail#ball & chain mace#morning star#mace
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The Reaper
In previous versions, the 2017 Flail was all knotwork with no real rigidity to the "handle."--More experiment than practicality.
In the recent follow up, a 3/8" black pipe was used as a core for the handle, to give it that support. The knotwork was built upon and around that. However, this too, was limiting. In order to have more decorative choices available, I would have to make a design change.
Buy On Etsy
For this (and following) versions, I chose to make the "Haft," or handle, as a separate piece out of Sched-40 PVC. I utilized techniques learned from making storage tubes for lacing needles--The techniques were the same, just on a larger scale.
The "Head" and "Chain" are fed through the "Haft" and held in place by knotwork at the Guard and Pommel. The handles were now lightweight, with abundant size and decorative options available.
* Type: Ball & Chain Mace/Flail
* Cordage(s) Used: 1/4” Paramax, 550 Paracord
* Materials: 1/2”ID PVC Pipe, Billiard Ball
* Total Length (in.): 34.5
* Total Weight (oz.): 16.80
Specs & Features
“Haft” (Handle)
* Grip
* Core Material: 1/2”ID PVC Pipe
* Covering Style: 16-Strand Herringbone Plait
* Cordage: 550; Black, White
* Special Knotwork Accents
* Guard Knotwork: 12Px12B Norton Knot
* Cordage: 550; Black, E. Blue + Silver Stripes
* Pommel Knotwork: (Same)
* Cordage: (Same)
“Chain”
* Main Cordage feeds through the Haft.
* Securing Knotwork at the Terminations: Double Footrope Knot
* Cordage: 1/4” Paramax
* Cord-Work: 2-Strand Twist
“Head”
* Core: Billiard Ball; 2.25” D; 6oz
* Cordage: 1/4” Paramax
* Knotwork: Monkey Fist
#ravelnaut#paracord#knotwork#flail#mace#morning star#ball & chain mace#knotted#braided#plaited#herringbone#monkeyfist#medievil
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The story continues…
From 2017, Fast forward to 2021. Taking what I learned making my style of Slungshots, and then Motorcycle Whips—As recent as 2020—I wanted to reach back, recreate, and update my Star Knot Flail Project from 2017.
I wanted to see what new I could bring to it. Well, I went nuts: I made not one, but four different designs, each one setting the stage of improvements for the next. This is just one of them.
Buy On Etsy
As in 2017, it was important for me that I create this in “uninterrupted” cordage. What that means is that from the Pommel of the Haft, to the Head of the Flail—other than the addition of 3 extra cords to form the head—there are no cuts! The piece evolves from end-to-end, like vines overtaking a structure.
“Blue Morning Star Flail”
* Type: Morning Star Flail
* Cordage(s) Used: 1/4” Polypropylene Rope
* Materials: Billiard Ball, 3/8” Black Pipe & Fittings
* Total Length: 30.5 in
* Total Weight: 31 oz
Specs & Features
“Haft” (Handle)
* Grip
* Core Material: 3/8” Black Pipe, Fittings
* Covering Style: Over-2 Crowning
* Special Knotwork Accents
* Guard Knotwork:
* 6-Strand Star Knot
* 6-Stand Star Knot; Modified
* Wall Knot
* Pommel Knotwork:
* 6-Strand Star Knot
* 6-Strand Diamond Knot
“Chain”
* Cordage: 1/4” Polypropylene Rope
* Cord-Work: 6-Strand Round Braid; 16”
“Head”
* Core: Billiard Ball; 2.25” D; 6oz
* Cordage: 1/4” Polypropylene Rope
* Knotwork:
* Multi-Strand Globe Knot of 12 Strands
* 12-Point Star Knot
* Diamond Sennit Knots
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Back in 2017, while reading and taking in new skills, I found some self defense references and other information that I found intriguing. Among this was a simple graphic that inspired me to make something. It was a single frame cartoon of a sailor dealing out some hard knocks, wielding a flail, fashioned from rope, with a Star Knot at the business end.
Call me strange, but this was just awesome. So I set out to make a variation of it in Paracord—What better way to incorporate all the cool stuff I was learning at the time?
Apparently, making things that go bump was an interest from the very beginning. 😂
The Star Knot Flail was born: All constructed in (uninterrupted) 550 Paracord; featuring most of what I had learned (or was learning) to date, back in 2017. The “Flail-End” features 2, stacked, 8-Point Star Knots.
More novelty than function, of course, but a fun conversation piece.
#ravelnaut#knotwork#paracord#handmade#knotted#ropework#braided#starknot#flail#Morning Star#medievil#Mace
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