The idea:
Until the day a parcel arrived, from a world-leading yacht rigging company, with a big selection of colorful rope covers and rope ends that were to short for them, we have never thought about using lines in our bags. After a chat with them, it opened our eyes and saw great value in their idea of using ropes that would otherwise end up in landfills. Before we only used black and red nautical webbing made of recycled polyester to make handles and zipper tabs.
Now we had the opportunity to match the handles with the one of a kind bags. The products look more nautical finished and more unique. Another aspect we like is upcycling and reduce waste as much as possible, which is the philosophy of J-M Sails and Bags brand.
Where do we get them?
The ropes we use for the bags come from two leading yacht rigging companies. They providing us with their offcuts of new ropes of different materials, diameters and colors. They have both worked on America's Cup projects, new builds, custom, and superyacht projects. What' s more is that their main supplier is the same Italian based company that makes ropes for the most demanding yachting projects, from custom made high-tech to fender lines. See below for more information about them.
Another source is the sails. Before anything, we "strip" them. That means we take all the hardware off, like rings, blocks, cleats, and ropes. We use the "cheaper" lines only for our packaging bags. The rest like spectra and Vectran lines, rings, and blocks go to sailing schools or projects where there are no high loads involved.
What are the ropes made off?
Raw materials that are used in lines are specific to their use and rope manufacturers use a blend of them for different uses. An example: sheats on a sailing yacht need more heat resistance due to the friction on winches than a runner, that needs more stretch resistance.
To name some: polyester, Vectran, kevlar, spectra, zylon, nylon, polyamide, Technora,...
Ropes and bags conclusion.
A win-win situation for everyone!
To make the handles, zipper tabs, etc. of some of the bags we use up to 2m1/2 of a rope that do not end in landfils. The different sizes and colors. give the product an, even more, one of kind product. The rope handles go through stainless steel grommets which give them that nautical look and ease to adjust the length to your preference.
Jean-Martin
Thanks to our suppliers:
Offshore Rigging Services in Palma, Spain. https://www.offshoreriggingservices.com
Fuzzi Rigging, Italy. https://www.facebook.com/FuzziRigging-249699612638056/
Rope manufature company:
Gottifredi Maffioli: http://www.gottifredimaffioli.com