Cordage is an umbrella term encompassing rope, twine, string, braid, and other linear textile constructions.
While often overshadowed by cloth, cordage is the older and arguably more foundational textile form: a simple twist of fibers into a continuous tensile line. From prehistoric fishing nets to modern synthetic mooring lines, cordage has evolved in materials, construction, and industrial scale, yet its core purposes remain unchanged: to bind, lift, secure, and connect.
Archeological evidence suggests that humans were making cordage at least 40,000 years ago. The earliest examples were likely made from plant fibers - bast (inner bark), grasses, reeds, and roots - twisted by hand into two-ply strands. These primitive cords enabled the construction of shelters, tools, traps, and clothing.
By the Bronze Age, cordage had become a specialized craft. Ancient Egyptians produced linen rope for ships and monumental construction; the Greeks and Roman refined hemp and flax cordage for naval rigging; and across Asia, fibers such as jute, ramie, and coir (coconut husk) became regional standards. The basic technologies, spinning, twisting, and braiding, remained remarkably consistent for millennia.
Cordage is best understood not as a single product but as a family of constructions, each defined by fiber type, ply structure, diameter, and intended use.
String is the thinnest category of cordage, typically under 2 mm in diameter. Its construction is usually single-ply or lightly twisted, made from cotton, linen, hemp, or synthetics, and may be polished, waxed, or glazed for strength or abrasion resistance. Historically, string was used in sewing, bookbinding, musical instruments, and early writing tools, as well as for bowstrings and snares in ancient hunting cultures. Modern usage for string includes packaging, crafts, kitchen twine, gardening, and textile production. String prioritizes flexibility and fine control over raw strength.
Twine is a small-diameter, two- or three-ply cord stronger than string but lighter than rope. Its construction is typically S-twist or Z-twist plied yarns, and it is made from either natural (cotton, sisal, jute, hemp) or synthetic (polypropylene, nylon, polyester) fibers. Modern uses for twine are for packaging and shipping, agriculture and horticulture, upholstery and crafts, and industrial tying and bundling. Twine balances strength and manageability, positioning itself as the workhorse of light-duty binding.
Rope is thicker than twine, designed for load-bearing tasks. Construction styles include laid (twisted) rope, which is three-strand, four-strand, or cable-laid; braided rope (hollow braid, solid braid, double braid); and kernmantle rope, which is a load-bearing core (kern), with a protective braided sheath (mantle), common in climbing and rescue. Rope is made from natural (manila, sisal, hemp, cotton) or synthetic (nylon, polyester, polypropylene, UHMWPE (Dyneema/Spectra. Historically, rope has been used in maritime rigging and anchor lines, construction and hoisting, warfare (siege engines, bowstrings, catapults), and transportation (sleds, pack animals, early elevators). Modern uses include marine and industrial rigging; climbing, rescue, and safety systems; arboriculture; utility and construction; and recreation (camping, boating, sports). Rope is engineered for strength, durability, and predictable performance under load. Modern ropes are highly specialized, with precise specifications for tensile strength, elongation, abrasion, resistance, and environmental tolerance.
Specialized forms of cordage include paracord, made of nylon kernmantle construction, originally developed for WWII parachute suspension lines, and currently popular for survival gear, crafting, and utility use; shock cord (bungee), with an elastic rubber core with a braided textile sheath, and used for cargo control, tents, trampolines, and aerospace applications; and technical and industrial cordage, such as UHMWPE high-performance lines for marine, aerospace, and defense applications, as well as aramid fiber, such as Kevlar and Technora, used in heat-resistant applications; and wire-core rope for winches and cranes, which is technically not textile cordage but often grouped with it.
Modern cordage blends ancient techniques with advanced materials science. While natural fibers remain important for tradition, aesthetics, and biodegradability, synthetic fibers dominate heavy-duty applications due to their superior strength, consistency, and resistance to rot and UV degradation. Key trends include high-performance fibers, eco-friendly materials, specialized safety standards, and automation and precision braiding in manufacturing.
The cordage industry and brands, the focus of this part of our guide, spans global giants, regional ropeworks, and specialized technical manufacturers.
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Selling wholesale to the trade only, the company was founded in 1963, initially to manufacture vinyl clothesline, which it continues to produce, along with sash cord, Italian spring twine, and other specialty cordage items Family owned and operated, the company maintains a low overhead and zero debt. Currently located in Clifton, New Jersey, A&A serves the metropolitan New York market and beyond, and offers a limited retail stock of packaged twine, rope, and clothesline.
https://www.aacordage.com/
Atwood is a U.S.-based rope and cordage maker founded in 1985, and headquartered in Millersport, Ohio. They produce a wide range of braided ropes (including 550 and 1100 paracord), serve commercial, military, marine, and consumer markets, and sell direct-to-consumer online with free shipping on orders over $99 in the lower 48 states. Atwood emphasizes "Made in the USA" rope and cordage for industrial, military, arborist, marine, utility, and retail customers.
https://atwoodrope.com/
Bridon is an American manufacturer of agricultural baler twine and netwrap headquartered in Dubuque, Iowa. Founded in 1975, the company's website highlights its products, Impax energy-absorbing technology, dealer support, and a field-trial request form are featured on the website, which includes product pages for twine and netwrap with performance claims and product families, an overview of Impax technology, a field trial request form, and support resources.
https://www.bridon-usa.com/
Bristol Rope is a leading UK manufacturer, importer, and distributor of natural and synthetic rope and cordage to the commercial, industrial, manufacturing, marine, hardware, and leisure industries, as well as chains, lifting tackle, fabricate wire assemblies, and packaging, hardware, and agricultural supplies. Based in Bristol, the company supplies throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland, mainly wholesale to merchants and retailers. Contacts are posted.
https://www.bristolrope.co.uk/
Family owned since 1880, Cancord is a Canadian rope manufacturer that produces lifelines, rescue and technical rope, industrial and general-purpose rope, and military-grade cordage, with an emphasis on Canadian-made materials, custom engineering, and customer service. It product lines, e-commerce, and case studies are featured on the site, along with rope and cordage precautions, rope science, a rope and cordage glossary, an informational blog, and contacts are provided.
https://www.cancord.com/
An ISO and AS 8(m)WOSB certified manufacturer of #1 quality American-made Berry Amendment military and commercial rope, cord, Gudebrod lacing tapes, high temperature braider yarns, twine, bungee, narrow fabrics, kernmantle, and related safety assemblies for aeronautical, electrical, marine, medical, military, textile, and safety markets worldwide, Consolidated Cordage was founded in 1993. Its products, industries, specifications, and contacts are set forth.
https://consolidatedcordage.com/
Created in 1920, the Cordage Institute is a non-profit international trade association of fiber rope manufacturers, their suppliers, and affiliated end-user organizations. Its stated purpose is to devise technical standards related to the safe use of rope and cordage. Standards are drafted by sub-committees and accepted by voluntary consensus and board approval, and include performance characteristics for rope products, usage guidelines, and testing procedures.
https://ropecord.com/
Established in 1980, Cowboy Cordage manufactures ropes in Idaho Falls, Idaho, under several brands: Rocky Mountain Ropes, Gator Ropes, Magnum Ropes, RoperVision, Chaos, and Open Range. They also create the WonPad and WonWool brands of saddle blankets. In addition, a few brands and products are manufactured and imported exclusively for them, such as Uoza Poly Ropes, Synco & Synco Chaos Poly Ropes, and Eagle Rock Equine Supply bits, spurs, and rowels. A dealer list is included.
https://cowboycordageinc.com/
Erin Rope manufactures and supplies a large in-stock selection of rope, cordage, and cable, from industrial rope for heavy-duty applications to custom rope products designed to the client's exact specifications, each built for strength, durability, and reliable performance. Additional products and services include military specifications products, custom rope manufacturing, cut-to-length rope, and custom packaging. Its products, tools, and contacts are posted.
https://erinrope.com/
Miami Cordage / Florida Wire & Rigging Works
Founded by Gene Kaplan in 1960, the company has grown to become a global company specializing in the manufacture of a wide range of fiber ropes and custom assemblies, as well as the distribution of marine and industrial hardware, positioning itself as the only U.S. company that manufactures custom color nylon and polyester rope. Its products, a custom rope design page, digital catalog, photo gallery, and information about its government sales are provided.
https://www.miamicordage.com/
Initially known as Doon Twine & Cordage Company, the first cordage company in Canada was founded in 1856. Based in Deseronto, Ontario, Orion Cordage has factories in Canada and the United States, notably Winslow, Maine, and Deseronto, Ontario. It produces a wide range of synthetic ropes (twisted, plaited, double-braid, and specialty tapes) for industrial, marine, utility, fall-protection, and retail markets. Its products, industries, and customer stories are set forth.
https://orioncordage.com/
The small, family-owned business is headquartered in St. George, Utah, and ships nationwide, specializing in U.S.-made 550 paracord and related supplies, such as buckles, beads, and tools. They advertise hundreds of paracord colors and offer free shipping on orders of $130 or more. Paracord categories include 550 Paracord, 750 Paracord, 3/16" Whipmaker/650 Coreless, ⅛" Whipmaker, 425 Paracord, 325 Paracord, 275 Paracord, 95 (Type 1), Micro Cord, Nano Cord, and Sinker Line, in various colors.
https://paracordgalaxy.com/
Offering commercial paracord, combination rope, cotton cable cord, natural cotton rope, cotton slash cord, cotton twine, elastic shock cord, hollow braid polypropylene, natural manila rope, nylon seine twine, polypropylene twine, sisal rope, sisal and jute twine, twisted nylon rope, and other products, Phoenix is headquartered in Perrysburg, Ohio. Custom rope options, fiber properties, use and care instructions, and a wholesale account application are included.
https://phoenixrope.com/
Based in Cape Town, South Africa, Southern Ropes is at the forefront of rope manufacturing. Founded in 1984, the company has grown into one of the world's leading producers of synthetic ropes and braided cords, from commercial marine and offshore operations to leisure sailing, mining, rope access, and rescue operations. Industry sector, product categories, and information about its product construction are featured, along with job opportunities and contact details.
https://southernropes.co.uk/
Based in Biddeford, Maine, Sterling Rope primarily manufactures ropes for sports practiced in vertical environments, such as mountaineering, climbing, and caving. They also produce ropes for rescue work, guiding, and working at height. The company also manufactures carabiners, pulleys, and belay devices. Founded in 1992, Sterling Rope products are distributed internationally, although its products are manufactured in the United States. E-commerce is enabled.
https://sterlingrope.com/
Focusing on crop packaging and storage solutions designed by farmers for farmers, Tama's core product categories are netwrap, cotton wrap, twine, argri stretchfilm, pallet netting, ventilating film, InnoVent silo bags, and turf netting. Through OEM partnerships, Tema works with major manufacturers, including John Deere, CLAAS, and Kubota, to ensure product compatibility. Its products and contacts are posted, and Tama Assist, an informational section, is included.
https://www.tama-usa.com/
Headquartered in Tarporley, Cheshire, England, Timko Ropes is a UK-based rope and twine supplier offering a wide range of polypropylene, braided, nylon, manila, battling ropes, bungee/shock cord, anchor kits, and related fittings, serving the packaging, agriculture, leisure, marine, industrial, retail, and marquee markets. Its core product categories are set forth, along with product highlights, availability, pricing, and its delivery and return policies. Contacts are posted.
http://www.ropesandtwines.com/
Twine & Cordage Group is a Zimbabwe-based manufacturer and supplier of twines, cordage, ropes, and netting with a stated history of over 75 years and a product catalog covering natural and synthetic twines, ropes, netting, and packaging solutions. The company presents itself as a leading supply in Southern Africa. Its business structure, units, product lines, media news, and contact details are set forth, along with awards, and career and investor opportunities.
https://twineandcordage.co.zw/
Positioning itself as a leading manufacturer and supplier of high quality cordage throughout the United States and abroad, Wallace Cordage Company features a wide selection of twisted and braided twine, ropes, and cordage products and accessories, which may be purchased through its e-commerce pages or through its retail store in Covington, Tennessee. Its product categories, custom products, location, telephone numbers, fax numbers, and email addresses are featured.
https://www.wallacecordagecompany.com/
In business since 1950, Yale Cordage has locations in Saco, Maine and Salisbury, North Carolina. Using synthetic fibers, Yale Cordage produces rope (plaited and strand, single braid, double braid, parallel core), several types of slings, and rope tools (Utility Catch Off, YaleGrip, ZipGrip, Synthetic Shackle, Bee Line Prussic, Tree Line, Maxi-Flip Lines, Ultrex Chook, Tandem Stopper Assembly, TechEye and TechJoin, Long Shot Throw Line, Guardian Brace, Split Tails).
https://www.yalecordage.com/
