This bracelet, which can also be worn as a necklace, is inspired by the traditional marine hardware of the same name. It is an original mechanism, and the first piece of production jewelry I ever designed.
Machine braided cord options are a dense nylon, which I dye and treat with wax. I finish these with a modified blood knot. These cords are ridiculously tough, and generally last 5 to 10 years.
Waxed cotton cordage is spun in Tennessee and treated with bees-wax in house. I finish it with a sailor's short splice. This cord will fade to an off-grey with wear, and with brass or shibuichi clasp will show green staining where the clasp and cord touch. They last approximately 2 years.
Hand-spun indigo dyed cotton cords are just that; I purchase 100% cotton thread, and everything else is done in-house. I finish these with a sailor's short splice. Scroll down for video of the full process. They age like denim, fading to a blue-grey with wear, and last approximately 2 years if cycled regularly as described below.
All cord options benefit from 'cycling'; every 6-ish months, re-position the clasp on the cord, as the connection-point takes much more strain than the rest of the cord.