Dogbane Cordage

Hemp Dogbane (aka Indian Hemp) is a common North American plant that has been used for making cordage for thousands of years. It is very easy to recognize and harvest. Dogbane cordage is very strong and supple. This video shows the process from identification, processing the raw fibers, to the finished product.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Dogbane
• Indian
• Hemp
• Making
• Crodage
• Bushcraft
• Wilderness
• Survival
• Primitive
• Rope
• Mears
• Grylls
• Stroud
• Canterbury
• Lundin
• camping
• hiking
• backpacking
• trekking
• offroad
• traditional
• primitive
• skills
• fishing
• trapping
• how-to
• how
• to
• make
• outdoors
• instruction
• cattail
• nettle
• basket
• making

[enjoythewildUSA]

I went out to identify and harvest some today. I think I identified the correct plant. It just wasn't as malleable or indicative of twine-capable material. Is it possible to attempt to harvest it too early?

[Colhane]

@enjoythewildUSA Dogbane is harvested in mid to late winter for making cordage.  In summer you should be looking for nettles.

[enjoythewildUSA]

@Colhane Thank you very much. Do you mean "stinging nettles"?

[Colhane]

@enjoythewildUSA Yes, they make good summer cordage. Willow bark is also good in summer.

[USASF160]

can you find dogbane in Pennsylvania?



[Colhane]

@USASF160 I shot this video in Pennsylvania, it's pretty much all over the place. It's best to collect it in late winter. It is hands down the best cordage material in PA. Look for it in overgrown fields, along fence lines, briar patches, etc.

[giutoniolo]

I hit the thumbs down by mistake Mac, real sorry! :( I was going to say that I wish we had Dog bane here in Brazil too man!

[enjoythewildUSA]

I am totally confused about using dogbane for cord, you scrape off the outside skin in an attempt to get at "inner fiber"...look at this Dave Cantebury link where he uses a stone to smash out the inner pulp! Dave says he only wants the skin. Are we talking about two different plants?

[marcjacobi]

If you fold the end of a splice that would stick out onto the other ply (is that the word?). That way nothing will stick out and the splice is secured after a few turns. Or you could burn off the ends that stick out by pulling it quickly through a fire/flame..

[5tonyvvvv]

yeah it works on a 60lb bow too..its just thicker,i had to make heaiver cane arrows..but they shoot like darts...iam sure natives have made bows up to 80lb with plant fiber.