In kernmantle rope, the majority of strength comes from which part?

• A. The core
• B. The sheath
• C. The handle
• D. The knots

Answer: (A)

In kernmantle rope, the central fibers—the core—bear the majority of the load. These high-strength fibers are what actually carries tensile force when the rope is pulled. The sheath around the core mainly protects against abrasion and damage and helps the rope slide smoothly through hardware; it adds protection and durability but doesn’t provide most of the strength. Knots and the handle don’t contribute to the rope’s load-bearing capacity; knots create weak points by reducing effective cross-section and introducing sharp bends, and the handle is just a usability feature. So the part that delivers most of the strength is the core.