My supplier says the new Ichiban Light rope is ready to ship this week! Unfortunately, it will take about 28 days to get here as, to keep costs down, it is coming by sea, not air. Even this initial sample order of 1,800 x 8m lengths is getting on for 300kg, so isn’t cheap by air.
Having it pre-packed will slash an increasingly heavy part of our work-load. You wouldn’t be believe how much time Nina and I spend preparing orders. It might also help reduce the ever-present layer of rope dust coating every surface of my place from cutting and handling tens of thousands of metres of rope. I even have to remove a dust ball resembling a grey Persian kitten from the processor fan of my PC every few weeks. Nirvana would be getting all my stock pre-cut and packed but, due to using several suppliers, I think it might remain a dream.
I’m hoping the new rope will arrive early December. I can’t wait to see my customers’ reactions to it as I think it will be the best jute I have sourced so far. From handling the samples, it really does seem to be ready to use without any washing, even waxing and oiling is gilding the lily. The plan is to provide a premium rope but without a premium price. My lips are sealed on the pricing but I think you will be pleasantly surprised, at least, and quite possibly gob-smacked 😉 Here’s the latest photo…OK, so it’s not a professional glamour shot. Waddaya want? At least, it’s not airbrushed or Photoshopped.
