UKC

Quick question: whenever I've cut rope or cord I've sealed it with a lighter/edge of a hot knife to stop the core slowly unravelling. If I'm cutting cord with a penknife on a route for a bail, do I need to seal the ends or is it okay to leave them a bit frayed?

In reply to Kemics:

You need to carry one of those electric cord cutters and melters really, and a small generator (and obviously some fuel) to fuel it. I think Needlesports sells them.

No need - they'll be fine. It's only for neatness. One, the 'sealing' isn't strong enough in itself to stop internal movement within the rope, not that there would be much, and two, the knot would stop that anyway. Some people deliberately don't seal them as it makes them easier to snag when threading abalakovs.