16mm Natural Flax Hemp Rope sold by the metre

Flax Hemp Rope – 16mm by the metre

This is a rope that has withstood the test of time. Historically flax hemp rope was an every-day, low-cost rope used on land and sea and today it remains a popular choice for its eco credentials, natural strength and rustic looks.

Indoors, it’s chosen because it is soft, supple and flexible – perfect for home décor, crafts and architectural features.

Outside, it’s valued because it is made from plant fibres with no added chemicals, so any fibres which are shed naturally in the course of its use will decompose in the soil and be safe for animals.

It is plenty strong enough for many household or business projects, although any natural rope will be less durable outside, which is why our Synthetic Hemp roes are often chosen for decking rope and ‘rope rails’.

A feature of all natural ropes is that they will absorb water which can make them shrink in length by 10-15% unless they can be stretched out again under load when dry. This natural ‘shrinking’ gives them an advantage when used for knots and lashing because the strands tighten up and hold better – as sailors of old and today know very well on historic ships and boats!

Typical Uses for Flax Hemp Rope

• Crafting and decorative work
• Indoor architectural features including bannisters
• Supporting plants – tying to sticks and trellises
• Lashing posts and beams in garden buildings
• General garden and horticulture
• Tying logs and timber in ecologically sensitive areas
• Rigging and sheets for historic boats and ships
• Bondage, including Shibari, the Japanese aesthetic

Flax Hemp rope and twine is still used as oakum, soaked in tar and used as caulking between wooden planks in boats to make them watertight. In days gone by, sailors and the poor in workhouses were made to pick apart flax hemp ropes to make oakum for the dockyards.

Easy to use

This is a rope that is both comfortable to handle and supple, yet strong and durable in dry conditions too.

The standard finish is for the ends to be bound with pvc tape. If you would like to have them either whipped, end capped, soft spliced or hard spliced please visit our Rope End Finishes Category.

Cut to the length you want to the nearest metre.

Key Characteristics

• 100% natural, no added chemicals
• Absorbs water: Can shrink in length when wet by 10-15%
• Store dry to avoid rot
• UV: Good resistance to sunlight
• Abrasion: Moderate resistance

Fast Delivery, Always in Stock

We keep large quantities ready to go, so you get what you need without delay. Orders placed before 12 noon (Mon–Fri) usually arrive next working day across most of the UK. Pallet orders may take slightly longer.

Order online today - we’ll get things moving quickly.