How To Make Grass Rope [Improved Method]

In this video I show how to make rope by hand with a few improvements I've learned over the years. The most important thing I've learned is to dry the grass so it does not shrink after the rope has been made. If you enjoyed this video consider supporting my channel on Patreon: / nighthawkprojects
A special thanks to my top Patrons! Syniurge, Matthew Leitzke, TheBackyardScientist, & Enzo Breda Lee!

[@madhabitz]

For what it's worth, basket makers dry their grasses, vines, etc., then soak them in water to make them pliable. Seems like that would work well for your rope making and you wouldn't have to worry much about shrinkage. Loved it :)

[@wittwashere]

know its an old comment on an old vid but: flax and other fibrous plants that have been traditionally treated in the same manner before use in medieval ropewalks so you re correct in this and this treatment will in fact make the twisting process marginally faster even if hand twisting so good on ya

[@tanyabananas5747]

I totally get what you’re saying, but I was actually thinking that shrinkage would be good because it would tighten up the rope better

[@madhabitz]

@@tanyabananas5747 Aha! I'm sure you're right about that, because I've never made a rope. I just had that odd tidbit in my head and felt the need to throw it out. :)

[@TheGuruNetOn]

​​@@tanyabananas5747the shrinkage reduces the strength of the rope as mentioned in the video : 02:04. The shrinkage reduces the tension in the weave. that's why he fruits out the grass slightly in the shade before weaving, so that there's some moisture giving flexibility but not so much that the shrinkage is a lot.

[@dustbunny3824]

The idea of making rope from any available fiber is wonderfully handy.

[@EnjoyerofYoutube]

I love the way you explain things so clearly and thoroughly while remaining concise.

[@lizikgaming1525]

LOL

[@OmniCausticInfidel]

very concise haha

[@spodosol]

Alex Kessler He’s a very clear speaker.

[@JonahRoyes]

Preposterous

[@sonofeloah]

A wise man can learn from his mistakes and if he is wise and compassionate, then he shares what he has learned. Thank you for posting this. So many others who do these kind of preparedness videos totally discount the use of grasses for rope making and you just showed that it is not only viable tool to make, but practical as well as you use the one fiber that can be found almost anywhere on earth.

[@00comm]

Literally the first rope making video of the 14 i've seen that talks about how to end the rope when your done. Thanks

[@HeirloomReviews]

puts a new meaning to twisting up some grass! : )

[@GreekGadgetGuru]

☼ Heirloom reviews ☼ Haaaah!

[@sosteve9113]

☼ Heirloom reviews ☼ lmao

[@wholock0001]

G3AR - 'GreekGadgetGuru' Hi!

[@danielharman4437]

☼ Heirloom reviews ☼ it puts a more interesting twist on grass

[@davidlefort4553]

☼ Heirloom reviews ☼ this was done thousands of years ago duuh

[@nicholassilva6813]

Could you make a vídeo showing how to make primitive glue?

[@Nighthawkinlight]

Maybe. That's a good idea.

[@Khellendros_]

bone glue springs to mind... It's gonna stink but will be cool

[@williambell7763]

NightHawkInLight, wood pitch works pretty well, and it's easy to get with a primitive setup

[@nicholassilva6813]

Some time ago, i was whathing a video from ServivalLilly and she made a primitive glue to attach an arrow head, she used a resine from a tree, poo, and other things. But she made fast without explaning and It will be good a explaning video

[@flyerminer]

That's only going to work for guys, if it does xD

[@GreekGadgetGuru]

I like these updates on your old projects! Makes sense the rope weakens after it dries.

[@Erdavorn]

so you say we can believe him? ;)

[@broskithepope1147]

G3AR - 'GreekGadgetGuru' I sharted

[@anthonym.adraws1070]

We have wood and sinew from animals

[@josephkamalendran7034]

This is the only survival thing I have ever done and finished successfully. Really cool thing to learn.

[@taofledermaus]

Very impressive!

[@NineSun001]

It is great to see other awesome creators watching the videos of others.

[@fourteencrows1244]

Seriously... im starting a wheres taofledermausen hunt.. dude YOURE fucking EVERYWHERE

[@rixz89]

mmm moose farts

[@patricianunez4025]

Thank you. I always wanted to know how to make rope.

[@michaelvaldez1298]

An excellent method and walk through. The speed of your rhetoric combined with subjectively correct distance on camera angles make for an extremely effective presentation. You have the calming effect of Bob Ross paired with the technical knowledge of Bob Villa. Well done.

[@kelseymaetebo2667]

…

[@Alpha_beef]

@@kelseymaetebo2667…

[@The_Moe_Szyslak_Exp_feat_Homer]

The strenght is pretty impressive. I'm still not sure if I would trust it for climbing rocks or something, even in a survival situation. How about a quick follow up video testing out how much it would take to for the rope to snap? That way you have a general idea of what to expect from it. Maybe one test where you do a quick drop with weights to test the toughness and one test where you keep adding weights untill it snaps to test tensile strenght?

[@EnjoyerofYoutube]

I second this.

[@vx-iidu]

agree, it would also be interesting to see a comparison with commercial hemp and nylon rope

[@lazar2175]

Alex Kessler I third this.

[@cimmik]

I fifth this

[@onethousandpercent863]

well i six this

[@SpecificLove7]

Awesome, thanks for keeping it simple and useful.

[@russ6932]

Hello

[@xgrandchampx8916]

Never knew it was that easy to make some rope/string. Always made it a priority to have some, but now I think I'll just try to learn doing this myself.

[@ZaNinjaYT]

I’m going to summer camp tommorow, and there is a lot of tall and dry grass there, so I’ll make a rope and show my camp counselors how to.

[@obiwanfisher537]

What came out of it?

[@allenmeza6786]

Conversely, I am a counselor, and I've been making "huts" with my campers and they love it, but was wanting a better rope to use than braided sapling

[@SquareSquidStudios]

I keep forgetting how to do this. It is so simple and I have relearned it several times, but it always escapes my memory.

[@Erdavorn]

see the doctor, maybe?

[@justinrussoprofessor3888]

Maybe this will help. Think of it as braiding, twisting rather, human hair.

[@roufeyel7866]

Practice it

[@russellsambrano8599]

Me: Why am I watching this video, I will probably never need to do this. Brain: Ya never know...

[@RinoaL]

thats actually really nice, i might let a patch of grass grow up next year to try this.

[@easylemon6640]

As the opposite of a Discord moderator, (An elf who lives in a forest) This tutorial was quite helpful. Finally, I know how to hold my stick hut together without lousy mud clay.

[@iinRez]

If this guy plays Disc Golf, then he just won the BAMF of the year award.

[@jamal69jackson77]

Wow, I had never seen this rope making method. Definitely the most easily accessible method I've seen thus far. I would not have expected these types of results from grass... I guess never underestimate nature! Great video!

[@SamBluestein]

Hi, I can't speak for any of your other viewers, but I really enjoy these scripted or planned videos a little bit more than ones that are "in the moment". I find that the content is higher quality but regardless of what you post, I will love it. You are awesome.

[@Nighthawkinlight]

I know, I enjoy my scripted videos more too. But I don't really have a choice, it takes too long to make my scripted ones and you don't get views on KZbin anymore unless you upload very frequently and your videos are long. My earlier videos take about 10 hours of work per 1 minute of video. I can't make long videos that way. I tried getting enough Patreon support for the last two years to keep making my old scripted style videos but couldn't get enough. So I'm left with making the videos filmed in this way because they can be made in about half the time.

[@brianfriend7737]

My son & I thought this was super cool and useful. Plan to watch more of your videos now. Thank you!

[@scottloar]

I am a klutz in mechanical skills, uncoordinated, hopelessly without physical skills, and his explanation is easily understood and memorable I hope there never arises the situation that I must do so but I now know how to make a rope from grasses.

[@kylemurphy9696]

As an eagle scout, I think that this is awesome and I'm going to use it.

[@eightarmedchef8505]

Awesome revisions, I like that you kept in mind that grass is everywhere. I find that many of the natural cordages require very specific locations and preparations. Cedar bark cordage is one of my favorites. But I find it hard to find with the right moisture level and age. Thanks for the good video!

[@yig_501]

this was one of my biggest concerns in survival rope is so essential and you taught me how to make a natural rope thank you thank you thank you

[@nichmon3221]

Wow! Thank you VERY much! That will come in useful when our grid goes down.

[@broderickelliott8527]

Best and clearest demo on making rope from natural fiber I've ever seen. Now I know what I've been doing wrong.

[@jelbre]

Wait... your old video is already 2 years old?!? Wow i've been here longer than I thought :D

[@Erdavorn]

have fun at work tomorrow, they'll be pretty pissed about your absence :)

[@jason_man]

jelle brekelmans heyyyyy I dont remember replying on here xD

[@jelbre]

Jason Anaminus And I dont remember replying to myself... GLITCH IN THE MATRIX

[@skyr8449]

@@jelbre But do you remember any of this in 2019?

[@simpleton8554]

That such a douche thing to say. Dude be liking lots of comments but not yours. You did it before it was cool. Its not very humbling behavior

[@blaze2440]

I made that grass rope and I fell out of a tree but in advance I plan for that so I made a grass I can it might have grass so I can't believe you actually work and the kind of Saved My Life from like 20 foot fall onto rocks so because you told me to make the grass when the grass is wet then that has saved my life thank you

[@ioanstef1983]

I've been Doing this method as a Child. What a Great Video! Congrats!

[@sassageflair257]

It would be cool to see a video on how to splice sections of completed rope if, for example, multiple people were working towards a single very long rope

[@KoyasuNoBara]

That was really interesting! I actually only watched because I was playing a video game where the characters have to survive on a deserted island, and I was wondering how they make rope out of vines. Kinda wish they could use grass like you do. It'd be a lot easier than making the trek to the jungle every few days to get more vines, haha.

[@reececrump8483]

I think this is great! I can now store grass from my lawn as fule in these big old hanks. It would also make a great mulch bed if you wove the rope into mats. Card board and news paper are good for that, but this is a way to make that on my own property.

[@krisgrey8603]

Nicely edited, clear voice, good explanation and no disturbing background music . Good job!!

[@LRSL]

Your arms are so silky smooth

[@Nighthawkinlight]

...Thanks?

[@Erdavorn]

wohoo!

[@vasanthsreeram]

you sound jelous lol

[@jaisonantony1874]

rope to arms, what a jump.

[@lizikgaming1525]

lol creep

[@graywolf1582]

clear and beautiful explanation with demonstration! keep going

[@e.lectricity6396]

Very scientific progress update, thank you!! Love this type of video, about something so simple, yet so useful.

[@reyc2630]

I think you're really good at explaining stuff. I actually listened and watched this whole video. I also learned something new. Thank you! You're awesome.

[@throngcleaver]

Since YT won't let me paste links, search for the video "Weaving the Bridge at Q’eswachaka". The Incas in Peru build a new rope bridge, made of grass, each year. It takes a small army to gather the grass and make the rope, and another one to build the bridge with it.

[@TommyCallaway]

Nice! A project that any budget can handle. :)

[@whosaidthat2707]

I have known how to do this for years but I still find myself watching these videos over and over. Another good video found.

[@nicolasmalaquin9067]

Best survival trick encountered yet ❤

[@Ethan-no7ms]

After watching Dr. Stone I was tempted to learn survival skills. This is PERFECT!!!!!!!!

[@NotSoMax]

Making cordage for plants is one of the most calming and useful survival skills. I made feet of cordage from Hau while living in Hawaii and even used it for a bow drill.

[@jamesvatter5729]

I really enjoyed this video. You're thorough and easy to understand. Great job!

[@LudyLoomy]

I am blown away at how simple that was. Thanks so much for the new survival skill.

[@fart4389]

When it’s a guy who will tell me step by step in a calm voice how to creat rope is when I want to learn

[@stephenschalizki2023]

Neebs sent me over awasome man really cool im subbing

[@mccantj]

Neebs gaming ftw

[@stephenschalizki2023]

mccantj ikr

[@Nighthawkinlight]

I don't know neebs, I'll have to check him out

[@INoahGuy92]

Just found this video. You speak so clearly and concisely. Very high quality educational content. Thank you!

[@ChickensAndGardening]

Simple and straightforward. This could very well save someone's life some day! Thanks for the lesson.

[@wholock0001]

I just realized that the backyard scientist is a Patreon! Congrats! Believe me, as soon as I have a bank account, you will have +1 Patreon...

[@mihamlaker5151]

HAND MADE ROPE IS DOPE!

[@hziebicki]

If this was a King of Random video, that would probably be the title lmao

[@Biltongz]

THIS IS EXTREMELY USEFUL. I don't feel like buying rope sooo i'm just going to get some rope with grass!

[@abcstardust]

Another great video! Thank you for teaching how a rope can be made from grass. You rock!

[@danielespada8758]

This is cool

[@bigfootandbananaman4746]

I can’t believe it’s been 2 years since you made the original video. It seems like only one year

[@bobfallis]

Great video, sir. Always enjoy learning new and interesting things.

[@s.d.s.7007]

I like your combination of logical thinking with clear articulation as the demonstration proceeds in organic and interesting fashion.

[@charliesymons1409]

Oo plot twist...

[@jisungpark8952]

It looks like the way of traditional Korean farmers.

[@Desyx14]

I've always wanted to learn new survival skills and this is an ASSET, Rope is a huge building block that can be used in a ton of ways, and im so glad I watched this. THANK YOU!

[@richardlilley6274]

Amazed at its strength from short pieces of grass simply being twisted together.. Great share.

[@TheKingofRandom]

Awesome

[@billburr1347]

The King of Random I like your videos, you and your family lovely

[@travistaylor1047]

Throwing this out there... would be cool to see you guys collab together.

[@butterflyspinart]

Travis Taylor I believe a collab was done a while back

[@joshuadowden981]

random tho haha lol

[@blaze2440]

The King of Random hi The King of Random this is Carter I'm one of your biggest fans I love your projects they're so awesome I've already subscribed and I would love to be able to like have a giveaway also I have a shout out your channel few times on my KZbin channel so maybe we can work out an arrangement with you if the ones that are on my channel please and thank you

[@ALAPINO]

Hover hands, ftw.

[@-__-_-_--__--_-__-_____--_-___]

Whoa a new improved method! This was one of the most important survival tips I've learned and now it's even better.

[@ThistlesGarden]

Thanks for the tips. I haven't needed grass rope for longer than a single day, so I haven't run into these issues; but I'm glad I'll be able to anticipate them.

[@pauljs75]

Grass is still ranked low as a source material in my opinion though (and it varies a lot), and it has to be fairly thick to be usable. (Not ruling it out, but it's not first on my go-to list.) You can make a rope to support your weight that's the thickness of a shoe-string if using swamp milkweed. (It was used for bow-strings and fishing line.) And one made from tulip-poplar can get pretty close to that. They also take knots much better.

[@ubiquidic9823]

pauljs75 What would flax be like when split in to fibres and used?

[@pauljs75]

Not sure. Historically it's been used, but I don't have the material and it doesn't grow here. Otherwise I'd probably have given it a try. I suppose it counts as a plant in the grass family known for this purpose along with jute. (Hemp may be called grass at times, but I don't think it technically is one.) Now I didn't say all grasses are bad for this, but the ones that seem to be most common in my area aren't as good as other material options. So the preference is to go with the much easier thing to work with.

[@ubiquidic9823]

pauljs75 I've just given it a go and it's got great strength for it's thinness it is extremely hard to snap in the against the fibres

[@iwritechecksatthegrocerystore]

Wasn’t one of his first major points that grass rope is good because you can find it nearly everywhere and this skill doesn’t require special materials/specialized plants.

[@lancejobs]

you get a like just for the actual vid quality in this vid! I forgot youtube can be sharp!

[@Nighthawkinlight]

It's actually a lot worse than before it was uploaded. I was a little frustrated this was as good as I could get it.

[@bfree8888]

Using the charcoal tar byproduct is genius! Excellent video yet again, NightHawk

[@sebastiang8634]

I'm just going to say... I found your channel today entirely by accident, and I am so glad I did. Two hours later, here I am still. I think I'll be borrowing some of your video ideas for the next Con I attend, and I am really glad that your tutorial videos are so clear and concise. Much better than many other (even more popular) content creators.

[@theirishaxe9405]

How does a knot reduce strength ?

[@MrAlexs888]

more pressure on one area, something like that

[@liveleaky7571]

Because more pirocas get into the cu

[@Jay-cn3js]

Thats knot right

[@alspezial2747]

id bends the directon of stress and makes a sort of cutting force as well

[@karol30660]

The weight doesn't split like that, i think. It's still single piece with all of the weight in the middle.

[@Nighthawkinlight]

It splits as long as the radius of the thing the rope is bent over is wide enough for friction to take the strain off the middle.

[@Roflmao0001]

Doubled over it will split the weight in half. I've used 10mm rope to pull over huge pine trees using a 4:1 system because of how the weight is dispersed.

[@martinschwaikert5433]

@@Nighthawkinlight only if you presuppose that the friction will carry all the weight. If not, the rope has to withstand your full weight force.

[@wayneclarke1727]

OK ....QUE THIS... ,This is a Very smart young man. You should pay attention to him. He's not feeding you garbage like most posts do. Grass rope is nearly as strong as Hemp rope. I just listened to the First ten seconds of his video and commented in his genius.

[@erkandanaci4498]

Thanks for this video. Every farmer knows this information when they were young. It is not a new idea. Good luck

[@rikuto749]

not first,not second,not third but i'm here :\/

[@TheBic4]

Thought he was holding a weed nug at first in the thumbnail

[@jocelynjovito2490]

TheBic4. Same thinking

[@popogast]

This was very expressive. I'm really impressed.

[@maahinabeer8981]

i love the way you explain clearly

[@DolezalPetr]

why the f am I wathing a guy make a rope out of grass ?!

[@AbjectPermanence]

Because it's cool.

[@DolezalPetr]

lul

[@Erdavorn]

because the world's about to crumble, I think. and you're right to prepare...

[@potatopriorites5652]

If you're surfing on youtube, you are probably willing to watch nearly anything

[@TheMathtag]

Cuz why not

[@8Mev]

Very useful for climbing and building in any situation

[@shaunemicheal7362]

I have also discovered that most any flexible material can be used to make rope. I have even used the plastic grocery bags and achieved pretty decent results! Great vid!

[@crimsoninsight97]

hey thank you for this video! I have a bunch of old rope that's basically shredded because of my cat and am using this method to recycle old rope into new rope!

[@tripaloski_6971]

This is very cool and easy, can be used to make a shelter, traps for animals, and other useful stuff

[@beeman2075]

That was fascinating to watch, and very cool to see the grass rope support your weight!

[@jeffclarkofclarklesparkle3103]

Usually everthing you do is somewhat to highly scientific. This is one of the most simple, primitive things I've seen on here, and i LOVE it. Holy, wow. Lol

[@patrickscodellaro2047]

That's a great technique and you've explained it very well!

[@WaltRBuck]

LOVE these videos. So practical.

[@MrDox90]

This is far easier to create than I expected. Just knowing this is great. Nice vid!

[@jestork1]

Fantastic video. Nice job and a good skill for the mental tool box. Thanks.

[@nathangreen6778]

That was pretty cool. Very educational. I will try this sometime.

[@user-wy5dq1ov4w]

damn. real advice, told straight w no hesitance. holy cow, this was helpful. thanks, man

[@PackersSinceDay1]

Great video. Very direct and informative

[@BryanKoenig379]

Very cool I also went through a time when I wondered if I could make rope so I did but out of yucca plant and then sinew. I never really thought grass would ever last very long or be very strong so it’s good to know. Thanks for the info

[@termooh6654]

Ooo the 60 frames makes me happy inside. Thank you Ben

[@jaredward8935]

I want to see a hand woven disc golf basket next.

[@raelbrickey6320]

That's awesome, I can't wait to use this on my next campout!

[@dscrive]

I believe that like in basket making you can soak too-dry grass/fibers to twist a rope. great video, I decided one day not too long ago to make grass cordage and made about 20 feet of 3/16" ish cordage out of, I think, saw grass, but it was green and just for fun, as the fall settles in I plan to harvest more to make more cordage, and harvest a lot of cattails for eventual basket weaving

[@Nighthawkinlight]

Yes if you let the grass dry first you can slightly dampen it again and it will be fine to use.

[@teamdrummond6915]

Brilliantly made video. Thanks!!