5 Best Cotton Threads For Kite Flying (A Buyers Guide)
The strings that are used for kite flying are a crucial component of the kite, and they can mean the difference between flying comfortably and successfully and losing control altogether. There are various different types of kite strings, but cotton thread is one of the best. Let’s go over the 5 best cotton threads for kite flying.
The best cotton thread for kite flying depends on your kite and what you are using it for. Small kites need thin thread; large kites need thick thread. Fighting kites need sharp thread; stunt kites need the strongest thread. 100% cotton thread is the best cotton thread to use for kite flying.
Cotton thread has been traditionally used for kite flying for generations, and although there are modern threads that can be used now, many kite pilots still enjoy using cotton thread to make their own kite strings. With so many options for cotton thread available, which is best to use for kite flying, and what types of cotton thread should kite pilots use? Let’s find out!
Why Is Cotton Thread Good For Kite Flying?
Cotton thread has been used for kite flying for thousands of years. It is the thread that has been traditionally used for making kite strings all over the world, and before the invention of modern materials such as nylon and polyester, there was nothing stringer to use for kite flying.
Even though there are more modern materials to use for kite flying nowadays, there are still many advantages to using cotton thread for kite flying.
When buying cotton thread for kite flying, it is important to understand why cotton thread is so good for this application.
These are the properties of god cotton thread that should be taken into accounting when buying it for kite flying:
Strength
Cotton thread is very strong. It may not seem particularly tough, but cotton thread can be incredibly strong for its thickness, especially when it is wound together to create thicker strands.
This is important for kite flying, as strong kite strings are far less likely to break, especially during strong winds.
Weight
The thread that is made from cotton is significantly lighter than almost every other type of string used for kite flying. The thinner the thread is, the lighter it is, and having a very thin and light line for flying a kite is very beneficial.
A light kite string helps to keep the kite airborne and weighs the kite down less. This means that stronger, slightly more heavy kite sail material can be used, which makes the kite more effective in the air.
Thickness
Cotton thread is strong, and it can be very thin as well. Having a strong but thin thread is important, as a thin thread creates less air resistance when in the air.
A kite string that provides less air resistance means that the kite will be more likely to stay airborne and be far more maneuverable and agile in the air, making it more controllable.
Thin cotton threads are great for single-line kites or for smaller kites, but when cotton thread is spun together, it can be made to be thick and strong for bigger and heavier kites.
Rigidity
The natural properties of cotton thread mean that it is not very flexible, making it a kite line that does not stretch very much. This is especially true for thick cotton thread.
It is a good thing for kite lines to not stretch, as this makes the kite much more controllable and far less likely to be tangle or get caught in any nearby objects or snares.
This versatility makes cotton thread one of the best materials to use for kite lines for those who are truly kite flying enthusiasts.
Price
Another important aspect of cotton thread to consider is that it is very cheap and very easy to get hold of. When making kite lines, a lot of thread is necessary, and kites that are flown at great heights require long lines to reach their maximum height.
This means that the low price of cotton thread is a great advantage, as acquiring and using large amounts of it at once is very achievable, even for a kite pilot on a tight budget.
Manjha
Cotton thread is the best thread to use for fighting kites, as it is the best line to use for making fighting kite cutting lines known as Manjha.
This is a type of kite line developed for fighting kites in India, and it is made with a combination of homemade glue and crushed glass to make the cotton line sharp and abrasive enough to sever the line of a rival kite when performing kite fighting.
Other types of kite lines are not ideal for making Majha, as the sharp coating wears off too quickly or does not stick well to the smooth synthetic materials. Cotton soaks in the coating, making the Majha line last for a long time without going dull or peeling off.
All of these factors make using cotton thread for kite lines a great advantage, even more so than more modern materials. There is nothing quite as versatile, multi-functional, and inexpensive as cotton thread for kite lines.
How Does Cotton Thread Compare To Other Kite Strings?
In the world of modern kiting, there are numerous different types of materials used to make kite lines. Each material or a blend of materials has its own advantages, and they have some drawbacks as well.
When it comes to kite lines, making the right choice for your type of kite is important. When choosing which kite line to buy or which materials to buy for making kite lines, it is vital to understand how they compare.
This is especially true when buying cotton thread for making kite flying lines. Cotton thread is frowned upon by many, but that is simply because they have used the wrong cotton or the wrong cotton line for their kites.
Here is a brief comparison between cotton and the other main types of kite line thread and materials to help you make an informed decision when buying cotton thread kite lines.
The two types of materials for kite lines to compare cotton to are nylon and polyester. Most modern kite lines are made from these plastics or a blend that includes these plastics.
When buying cotton line for making kite line, it is important to take note of how the cotton compares to these materials and their properties.
Nylon is not as light as cotton, and it is a much thicker material as well. This means that nylon has more drag than cotton and weighs the kite down more than cotton does.
However, nylon is stronger than cotton and is less likely to snap. Nylon will not fray, and it is very unlike to become entangled in itself. Compared to cotton, nylon line is much more flexible and stretches much more than cotton thread. This can be a disadvantage for kite control, especially with larger kites.
When comparing polyester kite line to cotton thread kite line, the main difference is strength. Polyester line is far stronger than cotton thread line, and this is a very important factor when it comes to which lines to use for your kite.
Polyester is also smoother than cotton thread, it is lighter when compared to thicker strands of cotton, and it can be made into longer lengths while retaining strength.
However, polyester is far more expensive than cotton thread, and it much more difficult to work with. Cotton thread is much cheaper, and much more simple to use as a kite line, and far easier to make into various types of kite lines.
When buying cotton thread for kite lines or kite lines that are made from cotton thread, comparing it to other materials helps to better understand the properties of the cotton and how to best use it for your kite.
Are All Cotton Threads The Same?
When buying cotton thread for kite flying lines, there are a few key differences to take note of when it comes to the varieties of cotton threads that are available.
The main type of cotton thread that you will find is mercerized cotton thread. Mercerized cotton thread is pure cotton thread that has been dipped in sodium hydroxide (caustic soda).
This process makes the thread stronger and improves its ability to absorb additives such as dyes or glues for making a fighting line.
Fortunately, the fact that this type of cotton thread is the most commonly found is a good thing. Mercerized cotton thread is among the best type of cotton thread to use for kite lines, as it is stronger and more easily customizable.
The process that this cotton thread has been through also makes it easier to wrap and combine into multi-thread cotton lines, improving strength and useability for kite flying lines.
The other main type of cotton that you will find when buying cotton thread are glazed cotton thread and gassed cotton thread.
Both of these thread types have been mercerized, but glazed cotton thread has also been coated in wax, and gassed cotton thread has been passed through a hot gas flame.
Glazed cotton thread is coated in a way that makes it very smooth and not likely to tangle in itself. However, it is not ideal for kite flying as it is heavy, and it can not be dyed or modified easily for various kite-flying purposes such as kite fighting or kite shows.
This cotton thread is best used for simple, single-line kites that are less affected by the weight of a kite line and are unlikely to be used for fighting or for shows.
Gassed cotton thread is very smooth and glossy. This thread looks great, but it is not ideal for fighting kites, as it can not be used to make Majha. However, this thread may be good for certain high-speed or stunt kites, as it has a very low profile and is strong and thin.
When buying cotton thread for kite flying and presented with the option between these three cotton thread types, standard mercerized cotton is the best choice, as it is the cheapest, strongest, and most versatile cotton thread to use for kite flying.
5 Best Cotton Thread For Kite Flying
There are many varieties of cotton thread available for kite flying lines, but when it comes to the best brands and types of cotton lines, there are only a few to consider.
These kite lines are the best on the market, they are very inexpensive, but they may need to be specially ordered to get them in your country.
These cotton kite flying lines are worth the trouble, and if you can, these are the best cotton threads to use for kite flying.
1 – Vardhman PANDA Cotton Kite Flying Thread
The Vardhman PANDA cotton kite flying thread is made from 100% cotton and is a 9-cord kite flying line.
This line is widely stated to be the best cotton line to use for kite flying, especially for making the best quality Majha fighting kite line.
This thread is particularly strong and very light. 2500 (8202.2ft) meters of PANDA only weighs 250g (just less than 9oz). This is very impressive and remarkably light, making this the best cotton line for kite flying.
A large spool of PANDA like this only costs around $15.10, which makes it incredible value for money as well.
Vardhman PANDA cotton kite thread is the best cotton thread on the market for kite flying.
2 – GUN 9 Cord Cotton Thread
The GUN 9 cord cotton thread for kite flying is a close runner-up to the PANDA thread.
This cotton kite line is incredibly strong for its weight and size. It is also a 9 cord line, meaning that it has 9 cords of pure cotton thread twisted together to make one line.
This line is incredibly cheap. 10 000 yards of this line sells for only around $13, making this the best value for money pure cotton kite flying line thread available on the market.
3 – Vardhman Challenge 8 No. 6
Another great cotton kite flying thread, the Vardhman Challenge 8 No. 6, is a 6 cord cotton kite flying thread, particularly favored for its lightness and toughness.
This cotton line is made from only 6 cotton cords, but this makes it lighter and thinner while still keeping it strong and durable.
This thread is often used for Majha lines, and despite its thinness, is very effective for kite fighting.
This thread costs around $7 for 500g (17.6oz), making it an extremely cheap cotton thread for kite flying.
4 – Chain/Sanakl 8 Premium Cotton Thread
This cotton thread is also a 9 cord cotton line, specifically designed for kite flying, but it has a small difference compared to the others on this list.
This cotton thread is made from coarse cotton. This means that although it is 9 cord and 100% cotton as the others here are, it is far more dense and thick. This makes this line very strong but very heavy.
It is still an excellent thread to use for kite flying, as it is very strong, and it only costs $4.81 for a 250g (a little less than 9oz) spool.
5 – Panda Gold 12 Cord Raw Glazed Cotton Thread
The 12 cord cotton thread from Panda is a very heavy-duty thread. This cotton thread is 100% cotton and very good quality, but it used 12 strands of cotton to make the kite line.
This drastically increases the strength of the line but significantly increases its weight and thickness.
This line is excellent for flying large kites and for making extremely strong kite lines from cotton. It costs around $8.90 for 900m (984yards) of this cotton thread.
Conclusion
When it comes to cotton threads for kite flying, there are many choices to consider.
The most important aspects to look for are strength, thickness, rigidity, price, and weight.
The best cotton lines are strong, thin, light, do not stretch, and inexpensive. So long as you use these guidelines, you will get the best cotton thread for kite flying!
Cotton thread is the traditional kite flying line, and it is not as strong as modern materials, but it is the most versatile material around for kite flying lines.
If you use good quality cotton thread for your kite flying lines, you can never go wrong, regardless of the type of kite that you fly or the conditions that you fly your kites in.
