CONDITIONING ADVICE for SHIZEN

Improvements to raw fibre quality control, spinning KI yarn and manufacturing our SHIZEN ropes with a looser lay for expert users requires a modification to the method of processing different to the KOUMANAWA product.

As the rope is pulled from the centre of the spool, each rotation generates a turn. Cut your rope to required lengths and hang without end knots to allow any recoil to disappear.

Do not open the strands, but instead put in a firm end knot. Then open the strands to the end and finally compact the knot tightly. This prevents slackness in strands becoming a loose area for load to migrate into.

Do not throw into a tumble dryer to remove loose fibre as the action of bashing the rope into the chamber vanes is akin to handling damage, breaks fibre, and this increases fluff and hairiness.

Simply fold the doubled rope until it fits into a cotton laundry bag.

Modify your butter mix to 40% jojoba oil and 60% berrywax. This has the effect of reducing oil sucking into highly hydrophilic fibre, while the wax produces a better coating.

For an 8 x 8m set, add ~80g butter broken into roughly hazelnut size pieces and add loose into the core of the rope inside the cotton laundry bag. It is not necessary to hand coat the rope, as heavy friction can also cause handling damage.

Tumble for ~30 minutes on the hottest setting. Note the lack of fibre in the filter and the enriching of the rope colour.

Singe normally and hang to air before use.

This method simplifies conditioning by halving tumbling time, reduces hairiness and fluff so it can be made with standard household dryers, reduces consumables, and avoids damage.

As with all looser lay rope, avoid poking fingers through the strands, or rotating in the loosening direction.