Rope Sandals

[madPete]

With a minor dilemma over what footwear to wear at PIP (this year being my first),

I decided I might need something in addition to the Fugawees.

After all, it is the beach right?!?

So after a half hour googling for rope sandals and not really happy with the fact

that the Gurkee model is Polypropylene rope, (plus the fact that my WIDE feet

are impossible to fit) I ran across a site with some japanese patterns....

The one I found that looked generic enough for anywhere was the Waraji.

See Link here:

http://www.rhinohide.cx/tousando/img/waraji.jpg

A few more patterns and info here:

http://www.rhinohide.cx/tousando/yoriaku/waraji.html

It looked very doable so I made the jig.

Making the jig for weaving the sandals is pretty easy once you interpolate

the distance apart of the pegs by taking the overall sizes 10" and 16"

and scale the rest to that.

Here is the jig, approx 22" X 10" 3/4 inch plywood, with 1/2 inch oak dowels

glued in 1/2" holes (never mind the bolt - I drilled the first hole 5/8"

by accident):

Here are a couple pics constructing the 1st one:

Here is the finished product:

Things I would do different:

-Use thinner rope, this was supposed to be 1/4" rope but was more

like 3/8", which is tough between the toes!

-I added extra rope in the middle of the sole and knotted it in back.

Now back to finish the 2nd one. Then I'll decide if I want to get

some thinner rope and try again.

Let me know how it goes if anyone else gives it a try...

madPete

"We can build him better"

[Dutchman]

hey mate, i saw that jig a couple of years ago. i must say yours are much better than my mess. I would not plan on wearing those at pip and have them last though. the beach and a lot of the camp area is coral in various stages of ankle twisters. they will work for just puttering around the camp, but i'm afraid would be shredded with just one walk from the camp to the fort. i'm looking forward to seeing them. how do they feel on the feet?

[madPete]

hey mate, i saw that jig a couple of years ago. i must say yours are much better than my mess. I would not plan on wearing those at pip and have them last though. the beach and a lot of the camp area is coral in various stages of ankle twisters. they will work for just puttering around the camp, but i'm afraid would be shredded with just one walk from the camp to the fort. i'm looking forward to seeing them. how do they feel on the feet?

Aside from the thick rope between the toes, they feel decent. We'll see after the second

one is complete if the friction is bothersome. But I think it is entirely dependent on the rope

you use. I used manila rope, and the twine on the soles feels good.

I have been thinking about coating the bottom somehow, something that looks like tar....

madPete

[callenish gunner]

they look like a good effort to make a period sandal. I'd have to agree with dutch though about the coral at PIP, It takes some careful stepping to avoid all the LUMPS of coral on that island. A small portion of PIP takes place on the beach most of the activities in and around the fort take place on man-made island made up of scavenged coral as the basis to put ground around what was once a water surrounded fortification.

[madPete]

Thank ye Mates - I've heard tell the coral at PIP be tough on the feet.

These be just an addition to me kit (along with the Fugawees).

Just thought I'd share my project. Except for the labor weaving the soles,

the price be right even if they turn out to be throw-away.

Hmmm... After some thought, a piece of leather tied to the outside ropes

might add nicely to the lifespan...

madPete

[michaelsbagley]

Nice work!

The picture of the sandal on your foot makes it look a bit short on your foot... But I am not sure if they are supposed to fit like that or not (the style you are making). But that is some awesome looking work!

[Bright]

Aye a strip of leather on the bottom and yea will have Olympic running sandals ;-}

For real tar go here http://www.tarsmell.com/products.html for projects were I don't use real tar I use plistic/dip aka tool dip for buckets and hats black of course to give to look of tar I get mine from Habor Fright & Tools.

Edited September 11, 2009 by Bright

[William Brand]

How many craftsman here have made some of these?

[madPete]

i've been thinking I might make a second attempt at those. maybe with hemp rope and twine and some modifications

mP

[Jib]

I own a pair of the Gurkee rope sandals. I've worn them on the beach in Florida and in the Caribbean many times and they have been exceptionally comfortable. Mine don't have a piece that goes between the toes. I have noticed shells and bits of coral do get stuck in the bottom of the sandals.