Validity of manila rope edge retention testing

[subwoofer]

Agreed about keeping the cut only rope and not the board.

Now this is all very early and me doing a few things when I can while at work (fitting it in whenever I can). Interestingly, I've now done the first cut into paper wrapped rope (dried gummed paper, so no 'active' adhesive). Well, it was effin hard work. The wrap keeps the fibres tightly together so making it more like cutting a stick or something properly hard.

The first cut was in the middle of a long length, to take a section off for easier handling, so there will be a difference if only slicing off a thin piece.

Just thinking out loud now as I'm trying to see if there is anything worth continuing with. I still like the idea of the paper wrap. The guy in that video you linked to before has confirmed he uses masking tape and that he does have to clean up glue. Being 'active' rather than dried, the masking tape glue allows for some movement, but the gummed tape I've just tried goes stiff once fully dry.