Fender making

As far as the inland waterways goes originally the fender would be built round a core of rope. There have been replacement cores used based on rolls of old tyre, rolls of carpet underlay and now moulded solid rubber cores. It can be debated if a move away from a complete rope core makes the fender traditional even if it has a similar outwards appearance.

Fenders for salt water craft could have a core of old rope but side fenders may use chips of cork, indeed historically some makers specified that they were ‘Ships Cork Fender Makers’. The number of fenders made for sea going vessels is very small and mainly is for bow fenders or occasionally a rope fender that goes all round the vessel (this style is more common in the Netherlands). The use of rubber tyres and  inflatable plastic fenders has all but killed the salt water trade in side fenders.

There are two types of fender making, the main differences being in the patterns of the fenders and the vessels they are fitted to:

• fenders for narrow boats and the inland waterways
• fenders for maritime boats and classic boats

Rope fender making involves several traditional techniques to create protective coverings for boats. Key methods include:

• Knotting & Weaving – Common knots such as the crown knot and sailors knot are used to form patterns and secure the fender.
• Plaiting & Braiding – Interlacing multiple strands of rope to create thick, durable surfaces.
• Splicing – Techniques like eye splicing and back splicing strengthen the rope ends and prevent fraying.
• Coiling & Wrapping – Coiling rope into specific shapes and binding them tightly for added protection.
• Stuffing – Using rope offcuts or other materials inside the fender for extra cushioning.

These techniques ensure fenders are strong, durable, and effective in protecting boats from impact.

There are differing style associated with various parts of the canal system and the hauling companies. The Royal Navy had their own style as did the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).

• Rigging
• Decorative sailors ropework.
• Fancywork

• Ageing workforce: The hard physical work means that craftspeople cannot continue to produce in a commercial quantity as they get older.
• Market issues: There is a very modest demand for fenders for saltwater craft.
• Market issues: There is an overseas demand for fenders in the US and Europe and some fender makers are sending a significant amount of work overseas.
• Market issues: many fenders are now imported from lower wage economies at low prices, giving a false impression of the value of the work and materials involved
• Rope fenders can be made bespoke and so can be more appropriate in some maritime situations

• The International Guild of Knot Tyers

• Des Pawson, Ipswich (semi-retired)
• Get Knotted, Warwick
• Black Pig Fenders, Spalding
• Pete Flockhart, Tradline Rope and Fenders, Northamptonshire
• Trafalgar Marine Services Ltd
• Paul Midgely, Fender Knot
• Victoria Rayner, The Fender Boutique
• Brian McGuigan, Bollington Wharf

Eric Johns retired in 2017.

There are no full-time fender makers specialising in fenders for saltwater craft.

• Jones, Colin R, (1996) The Fender Book
• Selfe, Ben, (2008) Knots for the Cut (Quicksilver Publications)
• Popple, Leonard, (1959) Advanced Ropeworking (Glasgow: Brown Son & Ferguson)
• Pawson, Des, (2016) Des Pawson’s Knot Craft & Rope Mats (London: Adlard Coles)

Our thanks go to our 2025 reviewers:

• Victoria Rayner, The Fender Boutique
• Des Pawson

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