Built a Leather Jump Rope Today \ stacker news ~DIY

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1831 sats \ 21 comments \ @kr 28 Nov DIY

Built something new today.

It's a jump rope created from one piece of vegetable-tanned leather, and it's designed to last a lifetime.

The handles are made from heaving line knots, and the ends are secured with whipping knots.

My goal was to make a jump rope without any plastic handles, fasteners, or moving parts so that it could withstand any type of impact from being dropped, having heavy weights dropped on it, or other wear and tear one might experience in a gym.

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244 sats \ 1 reply \ @ek 28 Nov

Ohh, welcome back!

I love jump roping but it has gotten too cold outside and I don't like paying for a gym membership (the last one I had was pretty hard to cancel).

Can you jump like this?

My goal for next summer lol

It's a jump rope created from one piece of vegetable-tanned leather, and it's designed to last a lifetime.

How much did it cost and how did you make it?

110 sats \ 0 replies \ @kr OP 29 Nov freebie

Thanks! I can barely get a handful of jumps in a row without messing up my timing, but this will be good reason to practice more.

This rope cost quite a bit since I bought it from a retail craft store ($42 if I recall), but I suspect if I bought rope in bulk I could cut that price in half. It's definitely possible to do this for less (especially if using plastic-based ropes), but there's something special about the natural feeling of leather and the patina as it ages.

Once I had the rope, I just learned the heaving line knot, and it took a handful of attempts to get the handle just the way I wanted it.

14 sats \ 1 reply \ @OgFOMK 29 Nov

Very nice work.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @kr OP 29 Nov freebie

Thanks!

22 sats \ 2 replies \ @0xbitcoiner 29 Nov

Are you familiar with this knot?

22 sats \ 1 reply \ @kr OP 29 Nov freebie

I can't say I am, though it looks sort of like the one I used... I had to google all sorts of different knot styles to find one that would look good and function well as a handle.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @0xbitcoiner 29 Nov

It looks like yours, but this one is used for something very barbaric, it's used for hanging.

21 sats \ 1 reply \ @TheMorningStar 29 Nov

Are you going to drop it in the market for sell?

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @kr OP 29 Nov freebie

Good idea, I'll need some more supplies first

0 sats \ 1 reply \ @Fabs 29 Nov

Also lends itself well to spank people away from the machines one wants to use.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @Fabs 29 Nov

Damn, I think those would hurt mighty-fine hard.

0 sats \ 1 reply \ @suraz 29 Nov

That is very impressive. Durable design and great craftsmanship.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @kr OP 29 Nov freebie

Thanks!

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @electrickmoney 29 Nov

This is great!

0 sats \ 1 reply \ @OT 29 Nov

Leather will likely dry out and break over time wouldn't it?

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @kr OP 29 Nov freebie

There are lots of leather goods (wallets, bags, belts, etc...) that can last a lifetime if you're using quality leather with the appropriate thickness.

In this case, the tightness of the knot may create some added stress, but it's possible to hydrate leather with oil to keep it in good condition.

0 sats \ 1 reply \ @siggy47 29 Nov

Nice handiwork. It reminds me of the well made Amish leather dog leashes I bought 20 years ago, that I still use daily.

Welcome Back!!!!!!

94 sats \ 0 replies \ @kr OP 29 Nov freebie

Thanks! It's the first thing I've built with my hands (I think in my entire life), and it was pretty fun. Hope to have lots more of these DIY projects to share over time.

0 sats \ 1 reply \ @grayruby 29 Nov

Looks great and very sturdy.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @kr OP 29 Nov freebie

Thanks, I had to soak the leather to get the heaving line knot so tight, but an extra benefit of soaking it is now that it's dry, it takes on the knotted shape. Even without the thread securing the ends, the leather would probably stay put for life.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @sangekrypto 29 Nov

very good, useful for many people, success for his work.