How I Make 6 Meters of Cordage per Hour

An often overlooked primitive survival skill is the making of cordage. The fibers of roots, bark, and leaves of many different plants and trees can be used to make strong cordage. This cordage can then be used simply as rope for tying things or to make nets, bags, clothing and more. In this video I show in detail the technique I use to make over six meters (20 feet) of cordage per hour.
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[@kobe3576]

I personally love these kind of videos. I think we humans should chase a more simple life, re-learn these basic skills and in general live in harmony with the nature. Present societies full on consumerism, pointless comfort and overexposure to evil media is a recipie for self destruction. Loving your vids and hope to see many, many more. 😘

[@ChadZuberAdventures]

Yeah we should, but we won’t. Our nature is self destruction and even if we choose to do right we will be persecuted by the others.

[@timberhoff]

Our programming is always to make things better and faster. Just like you are making that cordage with more advanced technique than many people did back in a day. The same principle applies. We come up with better techniques and then technology until the first way of doing it becomes obsolete and forgotten even. But we are moving towards these new technologies so fast at the moment that we don’t take the time to appreciate what times used to be like. The world is always changing.

[@Timmyjg2004]

This is a GREAT tutorial, it shows everything VERY clearly! 😊

[@ChadZuberAdventures]

I hope it helps people understand how to do this better.

[@SnyperMK2000JclL]

Yes yes yes! Finally an in depth tutorial from the most Chad of Chad's! Very informative and I can't wait for the weather to change so I can snag some yucca leaves and make me some rope!

[@yassineakrmouid-mj7pc]

​@@ChadZuberAdventures هل يمكن ان استعمل فديوهتك على يوتبوب من فطلك

[@ChadZuberAdventures]

@@SnyperMK2000JclL Have fun with that! I think I'm addicted to making cordage. I do it all the time.

[@Daniel_Plastiak_Crazy_Adventur]

Yes, yes, yes. Finally, superthanks. Greetings from Slovakia. 😀🖖👍

[@robertweldon7909]

This is a vey important video. This is a, seemingly, simple way to make cordage of any desired thickness, within reason. This is going in my Survival Video library for repeated access. Great job Chad, bring us all more like this. OH, i discovered, had an epiphany, for making bricks, not quite primitively, Use several large 1 loaf bread pans as forms. They can be placed close to a fire to speed drying. The pans are slightly tapered, top to bottom, allowing a sort of interlocking during the build process. Well, I think it all works that way, it at least looks like it works that way. ;-)

[@ChadZuberAdventures]

Awesome! I love making bricks too! I can't wait for spring to come so I can start making more bricks for more building projects.

[@Ben-rz9cf]

​@@ChadZuberAdventures i wonder if you might break immersion a bit and start working on a kiln for (semi)primitive metal casting using recycled cans. It might be an interesting project to see if you can achieve basic metalworking using primitive techniques

[@ChadZuberAdventures]

@@Ben-rz9cf I haven't found any metals yet but maybe I will.

[@tribemaster101]

@@ChadZuberAdventures you've certainly seen many ores when digging. Some lesser known but common metals can even make sparks and help you make fire. No need to smelt them for that. Read up on pentlandite, pyrite, nickel, etc.

[@darktoon873]

я по доброму завидую этому человеку... как мало надо для счастья !!

[@semirayahlioglu9829]

مرحبا تشاد لقد تذكرت شيئا كان يوجد في بيت اهلي القديم مغزل لصنع خيوط الصوف مغزل خشبي مؤلف من عجلة خشبية ومقبض ومسمار للف خيوط الصوف لكن المغزل كان عندنا اما جدتي لم اشاهدها توفت وان بيبطن امي جدتي كانت تنسج سجاد رائع وجميل السجادة عندنا والمغزل والمنجل لحصد القمح❤

[@caroaraguti]

Gracias Chad!! Siempre aprendiendo contigo, necesitamos más personas como tú en el mundo 💜

[@ChadZuberAdventures]

Muchas gracias Carolina.

[@andryuhaplay]

Спасибо мистеру Chad Zuber за видео! Вдруг случится апокалипсис то сможем из травы делать одежду и плести верёвки благодаря мистеру Chad Zuber😁👍

[@ronicyess7]

❤❤❤❤ WHOLE LOT OF LOVE

[@GUNNER67akaKelt]

This is a pretty important but underrated skill. Cordage is necessary, or at least very helpful, for a long list of things.

[@ChadZuberAdventures]

Exactly! There are so many very good uses of strong cordage.

[@bahozcraft]

Just incredible! I really enjoyed watching you work. Great skills man

[@ChadZuberAdventures]

Thanks man!

[@Mrinsan_outdoors]

Nice too meet you again😊

[@ChadZuberAdventures]

You too

[@ZobrAz]

Nice, simple and clear tutorial with great views and nature sound!

[@ChadZuberAdventures]

Thanks!

[@Max_indian-wolf]

Very cool and helpful video! Make more videos like this!

[@ThomasCr0ss]

Thank You for showing us this simple and fast method! When I saw you and others excessively using cords then cutting them in short lengths without hesitation, I always thought to myself: "Ah, a little bit of cheating with the cordage, eh? :D " But I let it slip because the things you made from them are really useful and beautiful! But seeing you can make cordage so fast, now I believe you really made the nets from scratch and now I appreciate it even more! Thank you again!

[@ChadZuberAdventures]

Yes, it's true. I make all this cordage that you've seen in my videos. So far, the only time I didn't use 100% my own cordage was when I built the raft I used in the ocean. The amount of rope I used would have taken a very long time to produce by hand. I also reused most of my cordage. My cargo net had several broken strands that made it not very usable anymore so I untied all the knots and kept the cordage for future use.

[@yakaronielyak8299]

Great video Chad. Can't wait to try out your recommendations

[@ChadZuberAdventures]

Thanks, I hope you have success!

[@BlackFlowBR]

Small videI believe that certain places with certain recording angles would become incredible scenarios for short videos teaching tricks like this.

[@ChadZuberAdventures]

This place is very difficult to record alone because I have to balance the tripod on rocks and boulders. One time my tripod fell. I was lucky that the camera didn't break.

[@AdiusOmega]

Nature provides us with everything we need. Even the computer you use today is delivered from resources crafted out of our lovely Earth and that to me is something more than magic.

[@ChadZuberAdventures]

Exactly. So true.

[@JayAlastor]

YT decided to show this to me. and liked it very wel. Reminds me of How i was taught when i was younger (like 10 years ago) This is well put together

[@ChadZuberAdventures]

Thanks. I appreciate it.

[@wojtech3]

Nice tutorial. I really like the way you tell about everything happening on the screen. I very like that format of videos

[@ChadZuberAdventures]

Glad you liked it!

[@Dark_shakratUA]

thanks for the detailed explanation of the whole process. this is a very helpful video

[@ChadZuberAdventures]

Glad you like it my dear friend.

[@EvilFandango]

Incredible, thank you for sharing.

[@slimpwarrior]

Great new format, Chad! Well done

[@ChadZuberAdventures]

Thank you!

[@catharinabellekom2013]

Thank you Chad, there's quite a lot of fiber in flax which grows in abundance here. Have a great day.

[@ChadZuberAdventures]

New Zealand flax is the plant I used to learn how to make cordage.

[@jameskline4596]

This is freaking awesome…thank you for sharing!

[@ChadZuberAdventures]

Thanks James!

[@HairyGoldbean]

Love learning new techniques. Great Video!

[@KnifeCrazzzzy]

Great video! Thank you for the effort you put into it and for sharing freely with us! 🙏🏻🤙🏻

[@Supergamerboyo8]

Hiya i ❤ your vids

[@ChadZuberAdventures]

Hiya there!

[@bradlafferty]

Excellent tutorial, well-filmed and explained! The speed technique is one I will now be trying. While the twist and turn slower method is very relaxing for me, usually as I am walking outside, it is slow. This new technique gives me a “need it now” option. Thanks!

[@alicetulloch6945]

Glad to hear that my dogbane cordage rate of 6 m/hr is the same as yours. I’ve made hundreds of meters for a Great Basin style rabbit net. Leg roll is definitely faster than finger spin, but these two methods have their uses: Leg roll for fast production of ordinary cordage, but finger spin for more demanding cordage like bow strings and fishing line. Good video.

[@nahuicuautli]

Yo siempre he hecho con la pierna desde niño y todo es cuestión de torcer cada una al extremo y luego torcer las dos juntas y quedan muy torcidas como una sola cuerda.

[@gregparman-sibley6277]

Excellent. Due to the current circumstances I am trying to encourage preppers to learn how to make their own threads, cordage and ropes from natural materials as a fall back. This is a very practical guide and incorporates the thigh techniques learned many years ago. Have posted a link to elsewhere (read preppers and freedom) so others can find the info easily. Love the practical items you show as well. Who knows maybe there will be tribes of skilled people out there in the wilderness before too long.

[@XaLoiVlog]

That is awesome, brother Chad.

[@ChadZuberAdventures]

Thanks brother!

[@zikzag8387]

Ciekawa lekcja. Pozdrawiam👋

[@domweekly2008]

Hey Chad, i just want to share this quick comment. I love your content and your style. Ive watched you since your snake island series. Thank you so much for making this amazing content and giving us something quality to watch.😍

[@ChadZuberAdventures]

Thanks a lot for your comment. I just recently rewatched that Snake Island series. I must admit, I did a really good job putting that together. I want to go back to the islands.

[@domweekly2008]

@@ChadZuberAdventures yesss i was going to ask if you were going to do somthing like that again.

[@ChadZuberAdventures]

@@domweekly2008 Yes, I will be doing something like that next month.

[@domweekly2008]

@@ChadZuberAdventures W

[@illegallyblonde232]

More useful content. Love this channel. ❤

[@ChadZuberAdventures]

Thank you! 👍

[@keluargaganfais1027]

Skil yang sangat luar biasa segala cara bisa di lakukan👍👍👍

[@browneandrewjames171]

Hi chad! Maybe do a strength test as earlier suggested of the baseline being the same thickness or gauge rope from the different flora or trees and then compare pulling something. Maybe using wet ropes as the test and like dragging a boulder or something to see when it breaks for example. Have a great day. Love from Australia! Regards Andrew.

[@ChadZuberAdventures]

Yes, thanks Andrew. A strength test will be good.

[@muhammadalif1367]

You are great at making anything

[@horseandahalf]

Well played, sir. I like it!

[@artcianfanojr]

Great step by step instruction with good photos of the process.. New subscriber.

[@dooleyfussle8634]

Great tutorial of an important skill. Archeologists have found cordage in caves that still contain a few hairs twisted into the cordage. Pretty good evidence that the old ones used this technique.

[@badger31738]

Great video

[@deborahdanhauer8525]

That was really helpful. I’ve seen this done but I’ve never made it myself. Could you do a video showing how you get the yucca or other material ready to work with? Do woody plants work better? Thanks so much🤗❤️🐝

[@ChadZuberAdventures]

I’ve actually shown that process in several videos. One was a live video several months ago.

[@deborahdanhauer8525]

@@ChadZuberAdventures ok, thanks. I missed it and will go find it. Have a good day🤗❤️🐝

[@kekipark77]

ive said it before, but your videos are SO MUCH more engaging with narration: i can focus more on what youre doing instead of reading the explanations

[@ChadZuberAdventures]

Thanks

[@edwardpinnix249]

Very cool!

[@lindaseel9986]

You have taught us so much about useful plants and materials that nature provides. I wish yucca grew around here vin WV.

[@ChadZuberAdventures]

I'm sure you have other good sources of fibers.

[@darriendastar3941]

You could hang round florist shops and surreptitiously snip off leaves from yucca pot plants? (Advice like this is probably why I'm never going to heaven.) 😀

[@Acolis]

yucca does grow here in wv actually. my neighbors have it in their yard, not sure of the exact species though

[@lindaseel9986]

@@darriendastar3941 Bawahahaha! 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@lindaseel9986]

@@Acolis I will have to check into that. Yucca growing here I mean; not your neighbor's yard! 😄😄

[@Domzdream]

This always impressed me.

[@seanterrill458]

Awesome. Thank you!

[@clipboardgame]

I've been doing it the slow way for so long now. Thanks for the knowledge

[@DuxLindy]

how you splice in new fibres is different from what I was taught and your method seems stronger

[@ChadZuberAdventures]

This is the only way I’ve ever spliced in new fibers. It works well.

[@AmauriPoyntz]

Love this vid Tarzan I learn so much from this keep up the amazing work :)

[@ChadZuberAdventures]

Thanks, will do! Stay wild!

[@AmauriPoyntz]

@@ChadZuberAdventures you're welcome and sure will now and forever lol

[@costantinocau6200]

Mirando tus vídeos estoy aprendiendo Gracias 🤗

[@ChadZuberAdventures]

Gracias por ver mis videos

[@isaiasgomes8144]

Saudades, voltei também.

[@feistylittleone8637]

most authentic KZbin channel ive seen

[@ChadZuberAdventures]

I appreciate that

[@9silentufo9]

Ótimo vídeo

[@kianseyfi8993]

خیلی وقت است که منتظر ویدئوی شما هستم 🌹❤🙏

[@froginthewaves8450]

Neat, Godspeed!

[@terryg4179]

Very useful. Thanks

[@gregkral4467]

Great technique, beautiful cordage. thanks, man.

[@ChadZuberAdventures]

Thank you!

[@clayspurlock6849]

great video, commenting to support

[@ChadZuberAdventures]

Thanks Clay! 👍

[@muhammadgunduz7339]

thank's for your amazing tricks...🧐👍

[@therealzilch]

Very cool. The closest I've come to doing something like this is twining two gut strings to make a bass string for my medieval lyre. Bravo and subscribed. Thanks from an instrument maker in Vienna, Scott

[@KissyKaede]

Making cordage is probably a good way to overcome some of the boredom if it's too dark to do any foraging and you're stuck at camp.

[@ChadZuberAdventures]

Yeah, it is something I do every chance I get. I've even made cordage while on an airplane, driving a car, or waiting for an appointment.

[@stonyjupiter1481]

Thank you, mister Chad. I will definetly try to make as much cordage as i can. It might be a little hard, since i live in different climate zone, however i will try with some things. Probably i will try with lilac bark. Fresh bark is really moist, so it would be easier. It may be quite fiberous plant, maybe i will ask my mother to borrow few leaves of yucca, if not, longer pieces of grass will do the trick. It probably won't be as strong as yucca cordage, but it will help with learning.

[@ChadZuberAdventures]

Yeah grass is usually weak but some grasses are good.

[@kidauStrike]

Wow👍👍👍👍

[@vicsar]

I did it! Thanks bro.

[@gridinnozmu4358]

YA PUSE MI LIKE 658💪💪APOYANDO TU FANTÁSTICO TRABAJO Y TEMÁTICA🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 CHAD.

[@ChadZuberAdventures]

Muchas gracias amiga!

[@stephs7294]

Very interesting tutorial hun, as you say, a useful skill to have x hope you're doing ok x

[@ChadZuberAdventures]

Thank you Steph!

[@stephs7294]

@@ChadZuberAdventures - you're welcome hun

[@duckgaming7202]

rolling the fiber over your thigh is such a good idea that i never thought about

[@BushcraftTexas]

Fish hook cactus spine, a bit of heat and bending if required, and I’d call that a great fishing kit!!!! I make strings doing twisting, but I use my hands only, not like you showed, I’ll have to try it that way!!! 😊

[@ChadZuberAdventures]

Ocotillo cactus is good for hooks too.

[@XodiaqKey]

I honestly respect the use of armpit sweat when moisture is necessary.

[@hanzm6406]

Trabaja la cuerda muy rapido 😮 genial! Siempre me preguntaba "¿como hace tanta cuerda?" Me dan ganas de hacer el intento

[@ChadZuberAdventures]

Una vez que aprendes bien la técnica es muy fácil.

[@anonymousthesneaky220]

One cool thing you can do is make a thick cord out of the cambium of slippery elm. if you get a sore throat, you can chew on the cord. As far as I know I came up with this method of using slippery elm, but the cambium has been used as a tea to soothe sore throats for generations. The reason it works is because the cambium is "mucilaginous" (slimy when wet), and the juices relax your throat and make you feel less irritated, helping to decrease swelling. A decent rule of thumb with medicinal plants is if someone can't explain why it works, it is probably placebo (practically half the edible plants in the world people claim cure headaches and stomachaches).

[@willowwhyte1104]

@anonymousthesneaky220 But in the US, Slippery Elm is an “At Risk” plant… There are so many other plants people can use to make cordage. ❤

[@anonymousthesneaky220]

@@willowwhyte1104 absolutely! My favorite is dogbane, but you can use way more. I’ve tried nettle too but it takes a while. I just like making a thick elm cord to chew on in dry/dusty areas to keep my throat from drying out without having to stop to make tea or something. I have a big roll of elm bark from when an oak fell and took out an elm tree branch, and I’ve never run out because I don’t really use it as cord. You could probably pretty sustainably harvest from branches, but I haven’t had the need. Cheers!

[@willowwhyte1104]

@@anonymousthesneaky220 Cool! I love it!🦋

[@Chaicowski]

Nice

[@gracecastilloarroyo2340]

Saludos amigo Chad Haces ver fácil hacer cuerdas me gusta como formó la cesto para jalar cosas El paisaje muy lindo 😊 Pura vida cuídate

[@flashthompson7]

Blessed Love ❤️‍🔥

[@kikolektrique1737]

oh cool!

[@coconutfleetsleeper5717]

Cordage is king, nettles, hemp, and willow is what I got in my area, it's good stuff ♡♡♡

[@ChadZuberAdventures]

Awesome! I bet you've made a lot of it too.

[@coconutfleetsleeper5717]

@ChadZuberAdventures no not allot, I did 30 meters as part of recreating a classic scandinavian fishing rig (and caught fish on it;) now it's scrapped, I put it away without washing the salt water of it and did a bad job on waxing it. But it was a great learning experience:)

[@nitaainun8452]

hi sir, it takes patience and full precision to make a rope from natural materials like that and you succeeded wow amazing 👍😁

[@ChadZuberAdventures]

It takes time. Most of us waste time on dumb things every day.

[@souldasherjoanie7517]

Interesting

[@Sheepdog1314]

here in the North East, milkweed is a great plant for cordage

[@ChadZuberAdventures]

I haven’t used that plant before

[@Daniel_Plastiak_Crazy_Adventur]

Yes. Great. 😀🖖👍

[@TrieutonTri]

you is fantastic

[@ngounchantha792]

Félicitations pour votre travail 👍 Du Cambodge

[@RobsBushcraftandAdventures]

Nice instructional video. I got to get myself some pants like that or shave one leg. I'm still making cordage with the reverse twist in the hands and yeah it takes so long.

[@ChadZuberAdventures]

You don’t need to shave. Just start rolling fibers on your leg and they will conveniently pull the hairs right out. 🤣

[@RobsBushcraftandAdventures]

@@ChadZuberAdventures Hahaha Yeah I know I've tried it 😭Funny how I'll spend weeks digging through dirt and rock but can't stand the pain of making cordage on my leg and having my hairs ripped out.

[@DraskoCobra]

Chad youre Amazing and Handsome Primitive man

[@01Bazaar]

videos that have to be saved for the 'day after' when internet and electricity are gone

[@maggpie5552]

Aahhhh, thank you :-) Woohooo!

[@TEORI_IS_FAKTIV]

Завжди цікаво якви створюєте матеріали для проєктів.Дякую за кожне відео

[@voelligegal]

I often make rope out of nettles. you can make rope out of it and you can eat it too. has a lot of proteins. greets from germany

[@ChadZuberAdventures]

I haven’t made cordage out of nettles but I do eat nettles in the spring.

[@cansitpanton6174]

I wonder when will you do a spear fishing?

[@namasteetsaman1532]

Heavenly out there.

[@ChadZuberAdventures]

Yes it is

[@namasteetsaman1532]

@@ChadZuberAdventures thanks for the IV drip ❤

[@ShawnRitch]

How to you process the Yucca, or other plants, to get the desired fibers?

[@swordofthedawn6495]

Bad ass video, dude. Whenever I go backpacking with my buddies, I always choose a survival skill to practice while I'm out there. This time I'm going to make it my mission no to use any paracord and make my own. Any videos or tips on harvesting the fibers?

[@davidturin3823]

Eres una máquina nene 👍

[@ChadZuberAdventures]

Jajajaja

[@davidturin3823]

@@ChadZuberAdventures en España las familias se reunían alrededor de la lumbre a hacer "hiscales".son cuerdas de tres hebras de esparto. Tradiciones que han desaparecido. Un abrazo muy grande nene.

[@pizzaisdavid]

Are the new fibers added so half goes to each side. Or is a fiber added only to one side?

[@victorzaidan6493]

Very good tip. Just twisting it with your fingers takes a long time and is probably much more tiring than this. I'm going to try this method.

[@1221crow]

you think adding bees wax/oil mixed past will help prolong the life of the yacca cord?

[@user-iu6yn6yv6l]

Áché Uma thank you for you work

[@mrazik131]

I like how you put the basket over the forehead, can this help me to correct my head forward posture?

[@ChadZuberAdventures]

Haha, I have no idea