Frequently asked questions

No, all our ropes come finished with overhand knots at the ends, which is the traditional and practical finish for shibari ropes. These "stopper knots" serve a dual function — they make it easier to extend rope, using a lark's head butted up against the stoppers, and the fact the overhand knot can be untied helps ease any strand imbalance that might occur after the rope has fully broken in.

For jute ropes: we strongly advise against washing jute. Water significantly weakens the fibres, and the ropes require drying under tension to return to their previous shape.

For cotton & linen ropes: yes, these can be washed. We recommend hand-washing or using the delicates cycle on your washing machine. Keep in mine that, as with clothing, the dye can sometimes run or fade.

This is a difficult question to answer, because it depends on the precise rope, how they're used, and how well they're cared for.

As studio owners we see a lot of ropes throughout their entire lifecycle. We know some people are tie regularly and still use ropes from five years and, while others replace their main ropes every year.

If you primarily do floor-work and you take care of your ropes they can last a very long time.

A dangerous question to ask the shop that sells you the rope — so we'll be straight: fewer than you might think if you're just getting started. You can get a single rope if you want to practice the basic knots and frictions, and then add to this gradually as your skills improve.

Once you are ready to move beyond the absolute basics, you'll want between 2 to 4 ropes so that you can practice harnesses and have a bit more fun with tying in general.

A complete rope set would typically be around 12 ropes.

Shibari rope typically runs 6 to 8 metres (roughly 19 to 26 feet). 8 metres was the long-standing default, but for most people tying modern shibari we recommend 7.5 metres. Two reasons:

Technique has changed. Riggers used to tie the foundational Takate Kote (TK) with both an upper and lower kannuki. That consumed more rope, so 8 metres was standard. The upper kannuki is now used far less. Without it you don't need that extra half-metre: 7.5 metres leaves cleaner tails and less dead length to pull through.

Rope should fit the rigger. Rather than sizing rope to the model's body, size it to the rigger's reach — a good rule of thumb is roughly four times your armspan, or a little less. Because we tie with the rope doubled, that lets you pull a full length through a friction in two comfortable arm extensions. For a taller rigger, 4× armspan lands rounda 7.5 metres — keeping your tying smooth and giving you less rope to manage.

We also stock 8 metre and 16 metre lengths for those who prefer them.

If you are unsure, 6mm is the safest and most versatile choice. As the standard diameter for shibari, 6mm distributes tension effectively, making it the best option for suspension and general tying.
5mm rope is lighter and allows for more intricate, compact knots. It is a beautiful choice for floor bondage, decorative work, and smaller frames. However, thinner rope focuses pressure on a narrower area of the body (increasing the "bite").

Our team pack and send orders out every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. If you order the day before, and your items are in stock they will most likely ship on the next packing day. During very busy periods (sales, and holidays) it might take us longer to process each order.

We ship to many countries worldwide from London, UK. Our standard delivery zones include the UK, US, the EU, Australia, and New Zealand. If your country is supported, shipping options and costs will automatically calculate at checkout.

For our customers in the UK, EU, and US, no! We have streamlined our shipping so you won't face unexpected bills at the door:

UK: Orders ship domestically from our London studio, so no customs charges apply.

EU: We are IOSS registered for orders under €150 (meaning VAT is collected at checkout), and we ship DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) for orders over €150. You will not have to pay extra customs fees upon delivery.

USA: We use Royal Mail’s DDP service, so your import fees are handled in advance.

Rest of the World: Orders to all other countries are shipped DDU (Delivered Duty Unpaid). This means you may be subject to local import duties and taxes when the parcel arrives, which are the responsibility of the buyer.

Yes! Simply select the "Local pick-up" option at checkout. Once your order is packed and ready, we will send you an email notification with instructions on when you can swing by the studio to collect it.

Plain Packaging: All orders arrive in either a black padded envelope or an unmarked cardboard box.

No Branding: There are no logos or store names on the outside of the package.

Standard Return Address: The shipping label only includes our return address (Arch 100 Anatomie Studio, Station Passage, SE15 2JR) printed in small text.

The best way to start is hands-on. If you are in or visiting London, we would love to welcome you to our studio, situated in a railway arch next to Queen's Road Peckham station. We host regular rope jams and teach classes for all levels, from absolute beginners to advanced riggers. Check out our upcoming classes and jams here.

You can download our Nerves in Rope Bondage flyer directly from our site here. This free PDF guide has been thoroughly reviewed by several medical professionals.

Please note: While this flyer is an excellent reference, we always strongly recommend supplementing it with in-person tuition. There is no substitute for hands-on learning, so we suggest seeking out dedicated nerve and safety classes taught by suitably qualified educators within your local community.