Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
• Remember that some fibers are stronger wet, while some are better dry. You may be
able to make adequate cordage for a fire drill from green grasses that break once they
dry.
Preparing Fibers
Different fiber types must be prepared in different ways. Leaf fibers, such as yucca, are usually
best harvested green. Bast fibers, such as hemp and dogbane, are best processed dry, but the
plants can be harvested green and then bundled to dry before processing (allow for ventilation
so they don't rot).
Bast Fibers
Start by trying to scrape off the papery outer bark with a knife held perpendicular to the stalk
(if the plant is dry and the outer bark is cracked, skip this step). Buff the stalks over your pant
leg to remove what's left of the outer bark. Use a smooth rock or a wooden mallet/chunk to
gently crack/split the stalks, without cutting the fibers. You are trying to split the fiber sheath
and remove it from the woody core. Using your fingers, bend the fibers and peel out sections of
the woody core. Roll the fibers back and forth between the palms of your hands to separate the
fibers and clean the remaining bits of bark and woody core out of the fiber bundle. Chunks of
this stuff will weaken your cordage and leave it messy looking.
Yucca and Agave
These and other similar tough leaf fibers are usually processed most easily when green or after
they have been soaked for a while. Yucca and agave make very strong cordage and can be used
to make packs, sandals, and more. Generally, the long leaves will be pounded to split the fibers
from the fleshy parts. Soaking the pounded leaves can remove alkaloids, which can be irritating
to the skin. Use a knife or the smooth edge of a stone to scrape the fleshy parts from the fibers.
Roll the fibers between the palms of your hands to further clean and separate the fibers.
Retting
Some plant and bark fibers are most easily processed through “retting”—soaking and letting
them partially rot to facilitate separating the fibers and/or their substrates. Retting might take as
short a time as one or two days, but can also take as long as two weeks. The retting process
uses bacteria in the water to eat away the fleshy binders that hold the fibers together.
Spinning Fibers into Cord
