SHIZEN Conditioning

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 for a few minutes to allow any recoil to disappear.

Do not open the strands, but instead put in a firm end knot. Then unravel the strands to the end and finally compact the knot tightly.

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. 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.

Add ~50g butter broken into roughly hazelnut size pieces and add them loose into the 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. You will notice the lack of fibre in the filter and the enriching of the rope colour.

Singe normally and hang for 24 hours to air before use.

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