Jack, I didn't drill into the response from "Super Grok" (my A/I agent), but here's his response to my question on where to purchase "fins hemp thread". I hope Grok's not hallucinating...
Yes — there is genuine fine hemp thread out there. Most model-shop “hemp” line is actually linen, cotton, or nylon dyed to look the part. Real hemp is available, just not always from the usual kit suppliers.
Best sources for actual hemp
Schooner Chandlery (US)
They sell Hemp Seaming Twine — a very fine twisted twine made from high-quality long-fiber hemp. The product page specifically lists model ship rigging as a use. It’s also available tarred with real Stockholm tar.
Same product appears as Langman Hemp Seaming Twine at R&W Rope.
TOPLICHT (Germany)
They carry Natural hemp yarn — untarred, 3-strand spun twine from polished hemp, described as suitable for decorative work and model-building. They also have thin 3-strand laid hemp line in long-hemp quality.
Weaving suppliers (finest option)
Lunatic Fringe Yarns Fine Lyte Hemp (also sold by Tisse et File and others) is 100% hemp, 2-ply, similar in size to 16/2 cotton. It’s strong, available in natural and dyed colors, and fine enough to use as-is or to make your own scale rope on a ropewalk.
Convenient model-shop alternatives (hemp-colored, very fine)These are the easiest to get in the diameters modelers actually use:
If he wants true hemp rather than look-alike thread, start with Schooner Chandlery or TOPLICHT. If he just needs the right color and diameter for rigging, the Amati/Mantua/Caldercraft lines from the model shops above are what most builders on Ships of Scale actually use.
Good luck.
Yes — there is genuine fine hemp thread out there. Most model-shop “hemp” line is actually linen, cotton, or nylon dyed to look the part. Real hemp is available, just not always from the usual kit suppliers.
Best sources for actual hemp
Schooner Chandlery (US)
They sell Hemp Seaming Twine — a very fine twisted twine made from high-quality long-fiber hemp. The product page specifically lists model ship rigging as a use. It’s also available tarred with real Stockholm tar.
Same product appears as Langman Hemp Seaming Twine at R&W Rope.
TOPLICHT (Germany)
They carry Natural hemp yarn — untarred, 3-strand spun twine from polished hemp, described as suitable for decorative work and model-building. They also have thin 3-strand laid hemp line in long-hemp quality.
Weaving suppliers (finest option)
Lunatic Fringe Yarns Fine Lyte Hemp (also sold by Tisse et File and others) is 100% hemp, 2-ply, similar in size to 16/2 cotton. It’s strong, available in natural and dyed colors, and fine enough to use as-is or to make your own scale rope on a ropewalk.
Convenient model-shop alternatives (hemp-colored, very fine)These are the easiest to get in the diameters modelers actually use:
- Cornwall Model Boats (UK) — Mantua and Amati hemp-colored threads starting at 0.10 mm (Amati) and 0.25 mm.
- Shipwright Shop — Caldercraft 0.10 mm natural hemp thread.
- GM Ship Modelling and similar European shops — Mantua light hemp thread in 0.25 mm and up.
If he wants true hemp rather than look-alike thread, start with Schooner Chandlery or TOPLICHT. If he just needs the right color and diameter for rigging, the Amati/Mantua/Caldercraft lines from the model shops above are what most builders on Ships of Scale actually use.
Good luck.
