Interview With Angel From SKorpion Rope

Recently, I was able to sit down on zoom and have a chat with Angel, the driving force behind SKorpion Rope. Together with her best friend and rope partner, ‘Silence’, they have created a website where you can not only purchase ropes, but also learn. In their words “We show you how we do ‘our’ rope to encourage and support you in doing ‘your’ rope”. Read on to find out more about this inspiring lady, and her passion for rope.

Who are you? Introduce yourself in a nutshell.

For 22 years Angel was in the Navy. From her early days at sea she worked with rope almost daily. She learnt how to splice it, whip it, throw it and care for it. Towards the end of her career, in 2015, Angel took stock of her life and realised there was still a lot that she wanted to explore. Relieved of the fear that her interests would be discovered, she ventured into the world of kink. From here she began her self-tie journey. Following on from some in person training with her partner at the time, Angel discovered that tying people came quite naturally to her, but not so much for her partner. This meant that she would be showing him how to complete a tie, which led to her realising that she may well be onto something she could enjoy for herself.

From her early foray into self-ties, “the only way to do it when you don’t know anyone else.” She then started attending peer ropes, play parties and munches. Here she continued to learn, which has “morphed into this massive international… thing!”

Along the way Angel met Silence- her friend and co-creator of SKorpion Rope. While Angel deals with the bulk of the work around the business- creating tutorials, managing orders, building the website- Silence creates the oils, balms and waxes that have been designed to compliment their own rope play. But while she is the force behind the business, Angel says that SKorpion Rope would be nothing without the love and support of Silence, her best friend and her inspiration.

They met through a mutual acquaintance, at Anatomie Studio in London, and their friendship grew from there, as did their mutual love of all things rope. They have an impressive list of shared learning experiences travelling not just within the UK, but internationally to learn from renowned riggers. One of Angel’s over-riding memories of their early friendship is trying to tie Silence into the Scorpion pose- still their nemesis, and one of the reasons why they later became SKorpion Rope.

What is the inspiration behind your business?

As they gained knowledge and experience with the practitioners around the world, the ladies met with a variety of different attitudes towards rope. While some were very fixed in the need for always doing things a certain way, the turning point came for them when they discovered many of their rope heroes would say adapt the tie to your model. If they can’t get their hands in high prayer behind their back, that’s ok. Adapt! From here they began to joke about writing their own book, to share “Rope for Everybody”.

As with most jokes, there is a grain of truth. The first step to achieving this pipedream came with the decision to start a website. An online space where they could showcase their creations in tutorial form. While she is firm in her view that those wishing to learn suspension should receive in person training, for safety’s sake, her own rope journey began with free tutorials on YouTube. She wanted the website to be a free inspiration resource with decorative rope for all. But SKorpion Rope is not solely a tutorial website.

Inspired by a kickstart idea posted on Fetlife by Bakushi Sin. He were seeking investment in his new product. A shibari specific Jute rope made from “the softest, highest quality jute fibres, processed without the need for Jute Batching Oil”. Angel decided to set up the business side of the website. Angel’s passion for rope shines through as she talks about the different types she uses. However, she also acknowledges that she was in “a very fortunate position to be able to purchase from all over the world”. She had become aware that her rope collection was far from the norm at rope classes, and she often experienced funny looks. With a look of mischief, she states “I wanted to bring what I use to the UK”. While waiting for Bakushi Sin to see his project through to final production Angel approached some other international vendors.

When did this all begin?

After many months of hard work building the site and nurturing connections with the rope makers, SKorpion Rope went live in May 2018.

What was the first product you stocked?

While the first product in the pipeline was Bakushi Sin’s shibari specific jute, the site launch saw her stocking Ropes by EDK (who have recently rebranded to Damn Good Rope Company.) Skorpion Rope also became the sole European supplier of Knothead Nylon, who she attributes for her “Fetlife fame.” (Said very tongue in cheek.) It’s not only the weird and wonderful available, Angel was really proud to get MyNawashi on board, as this is one of her favourite natural fibre ropes to use. She is clear in her objective, and as a self-certified rope snob, her statement “I only stock rope that I personally use” is a glowing recommendation indeed.

What is your current favourite product that you sell/make?

While Angel is quite clear that there are no favourites, she is the most proud of her unique products, made by Silence. Particularly the Aftercare balms, available for bunnies, to soothe “rope ouchies” in tender spots. Another specifically for riggers, to ease aching fingers after an intense session of hooking ropes. Another product close to her heart is the home dye kits. This is clearly a labour of love for Angel. She researched the best method for dying her own ropes and has packaged it up to share with her customers. In her opinion this is the best way to get professional results, at a fraction of the cost of purchasing dyed ropes. And you get the satisfaction of knowing “you’ve created your own splash of colour”.

What is the best/funniest/most interesting feedback you have received?

The best feedback that SKorpion Rope receive is from the tutorial side: when people share the ties they have attempted. The pair make sure to repost any work they can on their Instagram feeds, celebrating the success of a rope fan enjoying their hanks. “We get a lot of pleasure from knowing that people are using our tutorials. If they aren’t what is the point in us making them?”

Rope specific feedback often received is how silky and smooth Knothead is.  At this Angel’s face breaks into a big smile as she explains they often receive positive feedback on the quality of conditioning. Angel conditions the natural ropes herself to the standard that she wants for her own ropes. So you can understand why she’s smiling. Commenting on the smile she replies that “a lot of love goes into the conditioning”. Over the years research has improved the quality of the finish customers receive. At this point Angel adjusts the camera to show her latest batch of conditioned to order ropes. On the way round I glimpse some bamboo poles in a corner and hard point in the ceiling. You see, this is genuinely her way of life, not “just” a business.

Bespoke orders: What is the most unusual/hardest/strangest request you’ve received?

There are no strange or unusual requests to speak of. She has, however, worked with rope groups to offer a decent discount for bulk buying ropes. This is in recognition of what they offer to the rope community. It is, after all, Angel’s love of rope and learning which triggered the launch of Skorpion Rope. She is keen to help others on their journey too.

She is also happy to support artists, so long as they are doing something interesting. “There was an artist who bought some rope to go next to a model’s skin. But she wanted a load more for an installation and asked how much that would cost. I donated some of my unsaleable ropes in exchange for postage and a shout out”. The artist shared photos of the installation which Angel says was just incredible! She still has several boxes available and would love people to get in touch if they have something similar in mind.

What would you like to be remembered for?

Angel starts by saying “We didn’t get into this for the business, we got into this to share”. It is clear to see that, for Angel, there is no one true way when it comes to rope. She repeats the tagline from SKorpion Rope. “We show you how we do ‘our’ rope to encourage and support you in doing ‘your’ rope”. In Angel’s eyes rope really is for Every Body and so she would like to be remembered for education. Providing free, good quality tutorials to help people learn and put the fun back into rope. Each and every tutorial is modelled by their friends in the rope scene. This means you know Angel has had fun while working hard to deliver her passions.

Shibari Study invited Skorpion Rope to film tutorials, to share on their subscription site. While Angel says she was truly honoured to be asked, her desire to create free tutorials ultimately led to her declining the offer.

The tutorials shared on SKorpion rope don’t give technical advice on frictions. With so many high-quality resources available on YouTube she recommends seeking those out to learn the absolute basics, before coming along to the tutorials on SKorpion Rope. Likewise, the ties showcased on there are decorative only. If you wish to learn suspension Angel urges you to find some in person tuition and learn safely!

Have you had any epic fails or mishaps?

Fortunately, there aren’t too many tales of woe to share here.

On the business side, when SKorpion Rope first launched, Angel faced some product quality issues. These could all be resolved pretty quickly though. Using customer feedback, along with her own experience, she made changes to stockists and products. Like with all businesses the focus is on improvement

Thinking about epic fails on the tutorial production front, Angel tells the story of a day spent recording with one very tall friend. They spent a lovely day tying out in the garden, it was a beautiful sunny day after all! When she came back to edit the video in the weeks that followed Angel discovered her camera had been angled too low. None of the shoulder ropes were visible which meant the whole video needs reshooting.  

On the subject of epic fails, Angel is keen to add that rope is not without its inherent dangers. The pair have bee tying together for a few years now. While Angel is proud that she hasn’t dropped Silence on her head, they’ve each caused the other some form of minor injury through rope. Regardless of how experienced you are, human factors come into play and mistakes can, and will, happen.”

Any new or exciting ideas in the pipeline?

• There are more amazing tutorials in the pipeline.
• Angel is also trialling new products- they will be functional, but currently they are top secret!
• And a “super-secret collaboration with one of [her] current suppliers”.

Any advice for up and coming small kinky business owners and crafty folk? Or- Anything you wish you’d known before you set up your business?

“Don’t give up the day job!!” SKorpion rope is very much a labour of love for Angel, a hobby rather than a job. She doesn’t make a great deal of money from running the business but loves the fact that she can give something back to a community which has given her so much over the years. “Any rope maker or vendor will tell you, you can’t make a living out of this. We do it for love, but all have to keep day jobs.”

She also recommends building up good relationships with suppliers, and never bad mouth other people or businesses. And finally, take a break if you need to, your customers will come back! Angel has taken two over the course of the pandemic, and recently closed for Christmas. While this hasn’t negatively impacted her business it has had a positive effect on her wellbeing.

This all seems like good advice for life in general, not just business!

Is there anything you wish people knew about your business?

While they’ve been asked where the name SKorpion rope came from no-one’s ever asked why Skorpion is spelt with an Sk. As we discovered earlier in the interview, the Scorpion pose was the pairs nemesis in the early days of their rope relationship, so naturally became the name of the business. But the SK is a throwback to Angel’s love of traditional bondage: Shibari and Kinbaku. And even though they are all about fun rope and decorative ties for every body, there is no harm in a tongue-in-cheek nod to their roots. It makes Angel smile, thinking of her business, every time she sees those two words Shibari or Kinbaku. 

Where can we find you and your products?

SKorpion rope can be found on their website skorpionrope.com.

They can also be found on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

This Interview with Angel from Skorpion Rope is the first in a series highlighting small kink and body positive businesses. Do you have a great business? If you would like to be considered please do get in touch.