Hair?

Lost In Shuffle · May 4, 2005

if you are in a survival situation or are just living in the wilderness fo r along time, would it be possible to cut off your hair and waive/braid it into cordage or whatever to amke things out of? would it be strong enough? or would it fail miserably and not work at all?

tknife · May 4, 2005

I've heard of people using dog and animal hair for making cordage. It would probably work for light uses.

longbow50 · May 4, 2005

I guess I'm going to have to save my fallout (hair is nearly to my waist) and try braiding it into cordage. My thoughts are that it may work for lite chores as has been stated already, but for cordage that is strong enough for lashing shelters, making snares, etc., plant fiber is the way to go.

If you would like to chat with the guys that have probably done it, give Paleoplanet a look.

RunzWithScissors · May 4, 2005

During WWII the German Navy wore socks wove out of hair.

RicBrannon · May 5, 2005

If done properly hair is the best, much stronger then most plant fibers and it doesnt brate with use like plant fibers, last much longer. Trouble is it takes so long to grow so having enough in a survival situation is not likely, unless you have really long hair to begin with.

Ric

DonTomas · May 5, 2005

RicBrannon said:
Trouble is it takes so long to grow so having enough in a survival situation is not likely, unless you have really long hair to begin with.

Ric

Well, if someone is growing out their hair, they are investing quite a bit of time and effort into keeping it managable and presentable. Personally, I wouldn't part with my hair unless it was absolutely required, and there were NO other fibres handy.

RicBrannon · May 5, 2005

DonTomas,

I would have to agree with that. There are a lot of things that can be used before you cut all your hair off. But if you have enough it does work rather well.

Ric

pict · May 5, 2005

I'm afraid in my case with a number 2 buzz cut this ones not an option. I'd have to scalp Longbow 50... Actually, I can think of much safer ways to make cordage. I take comfort in the fact that nobody will ever view my head as a survival resource. Mac

crawfordew · May 5, 2005

pict said:
I'm afraid in my case with a number 2 buzz cut this ones not an option. I'd have to scalp Longbow 50... Actually, I can think of much safer ways to make cordage. I take comfort in the fact that nobody will ever view my head as a survival resource. Mac

Amen to that! What little hair I have left I keep cut to just shy of a shaved head.
Gene

Cliff Stamp · May 5, 2005

Human hair is not uniform in consistency. Some is very brittle and snaps readily, some is many times over stronger. You can multi-braid even short weak cords if you have the time and inclination, but for most people there are better plant options.

-Cliff

Nightfall · May 5, 2005

I keep my hair very short. Easier to take care of while out in the bush. I have also heard of using dog hair as a thread by spining it.

Peter La · May 5, 2005

Whenever I go into the bush I prefer to get it buzzed off. It is more manageable and it stays nicer when going through heavily wooded areas.

pict · May 5, 2005

Cliff,

If you have enough hair it can be quite strong. I used to deliver to a factory that had a Native American that worked there. He insisted on keeping his long braid, fine. They insisted he wore it inside his shirt for safety reasons, also fine. One hot summer day he took his shirt off and turning around the pony tail caught in a huge 10 ft diameter belt/flywheel contraption. It yanked him up off his feet and threw him across the shop ripping off half his scalp in the process. OUCH! All that to say, hair's good stuff. Mac

Lost In Shuffle · May 5, 2005

what kinds of plants are good for making cords? is it mostly just stems of plants etc? or small thin branches from a sapling etc..?

Mirror-Saw · May 5, 2005

My hair is a bit shorter than longbows, i got a hell of alot of burrs in it one time out in the bush. No fun. I have a few friends with some nice long dreadlocks though, now those would make some good rope stuffs.

longbow50 · May 5, 2005

Here's a site that deals with the materials and how to's of making cordage

RicBrannon · May 6, 2005

I know the Mongols used their woman's hair to make bow strings and they made some really stout bows. I believe they were the first to use the wood/horn layering method to make the bows leafs. So I would think hair was pretty good. I would have to agree there are more convenient source for cordage out there.

Ric