Being the proud owner of a English Hansom Cab, Irish Jaunting cart and racing surrey I must disagree. WHip makers,though few and far between now enjoy a thriving business. As for modern rope, or line on ships? Ask any horse packer or sailor what rope they prefer when everything is falling apart and you have to rebraid 40' of 3 strand Manila into 2 strands of 60' to get home with that quartered elk or obsolescent 36' MLB with a dead engine and this really wierd looking lateen sail the base CO let you restore. BTDT <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />