SHIZEN Conditioning

This advice is specific to the SHIZEN 60/55/50 product.

Improvements to raw fibre quality control, spinning KI yarn and manufacturing our SHIZEN ropes with a loose 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 generates fluff. 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 50~60g butter broken into roughly hazelnut size pieces and add loose into the cotton laundry bag with the rope. It is not necessary to hand coat the rope, as heavy friction is also akin to 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 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.