DON'T DON'T DON'T let Nylon near heat sources. That will make them go harder.
Nylon hardens with age, the nature of the beast. Heat doesn't help and in fact manufacturers use heat to firm nylons up. If you hear the tern 'Heat Set' that is what they are talking about.
Cheap nylons go hard faster, some very fast. It all comes down the the years Thermal Stability. A common grade is T6 nylon, it is OK. Another real cheapy is Textured nylon, it is reject yarn from the
clothing industry and is crap, just don't go there. The best to use is T6-6 nylon (also becoming known as 'air-bag quality') and has the best Thermal Stability. The better the grade the bigger the cost.
Another reason ropes go hard is
salt build up. That is easily fixed.
The construction of a
rope has little to do with it's ability to go hard, a 3 strand of XX grade will do it at the same pace as a 8 braided of the same grade. Generally 8 braids have been made of higher grade yarn but as the popularity of the 8 braid is taking off
cheap nasty versions are appearing fast.
Ways to minimise the hardening -
Don't buy cheap
rope.
Keep away from heat like hot water, lying on a dark surface in the sun and the like.
Wash with fresh COLD water, drain and then soak in more fresh water with fabric softener. DON'T go silly with the fabric softener, it can harm the rope in big levels. use the recommended does on the bottle. Soak away for a few days is fine.
Possible
fishing tip - One of our punters uses 'Lavender Fresh' fabric softener and for a few weeks after he has done it he catches a pile more
fish. He swears that the Lavender smell attracts them
Warning - As most harden Fishos are usually lunatics, this may or may not be for real