(Re)introducing unbleached authentic cannabis fiber hemp to bagpipes!
Pictured here are the final stages of “hemping” a joint on a bagpipe drone with cannabis fiber hemp thread. The lighter colored top layer of hemp is wrapped over a bottom layer of hemp that has been pulled through black cobbler’s wax several times to make it sticky. Cobbler’s wax is a medieval-looking concoction of bees wax, pine rosin and olive oil.
Cannabis fiber hemp has had a long history of use in bagpipes. When hemp became illegal in the 1930s, however, linen (cloth) “hemp” was substituted. Unfortunately, linen is not as suitable and does not last nearly as long as authentic cannabis fiber hemp in the moist environment of bagpipe joints. Cannabis fiber hemp is about the same weight as the yellow and black linen commonly used for bagpipe joints today, but cannabis hemp is stronger, swells less, is more moisture resistant, and does not require a wax coating. It is perfect for bagpipes and practice chanters. Moreover, the natural color of unbleached hemp is tan, which complements the colors of wooden or black Delrin parts of the bagpipe better than bright yellow linen hemp.
In the 2020 bagpiping world cannabis fiber hemp is finally legal again and it is poised to make a strong comeback. I’m personally sold and spoiled by this product and can’t imagine ever going back to the standard yellow or black waxed or unwaxed hemp commonly used today.