Hello!
Thank you for this interesting( my opinion at least) information.
In return a tip for "gluing", "varnishing":
There is a household product that is in fact an acrylic varnish (models enthusiasts use it quite a lot); me I use it to "redo" some books covers : 5 light coatings are better than 2 thick ones, let it dry between 2 applications or dry it using an hair-drier, dont get caught by the charming lady who own it though).
Easy to get, cheap to buy, easy and safe ( well dont drink it) to use, easy to get off ( ammonia ), resistant to water once dry....
KLIR in France and Belgium
FUTURE in the States and Canada
KLEAR in U.K
ARISTAL KLEAR in New-zealand
GLOCOT in Argentina
PARKET PLUS or PRONTO VAX in Holland
ERDAL GLANTZER in Germany
WIPE AND SHINE in Japan
I tried it on a sad looking manilla rope : got a crisp ( figuratively and factually) a *crisp* rope.
You might want to try it to glue, varnish, hold in shape, your knotting.