Rope Twisted Newel

I occasionally get a question about the difference between the barley twist and the rope twist. Some of my customers ask for a "twist" not really knowing that there are different kinds of twist that can be made. There are more than just two though the barley twist and rope are the most common. A rope twist looks like "rope". How's that for simplicity? A barley twist, on the other hand, has a secondary (smaller) radius on the interior of the twist. I suppose the barley twist gets its name form a stalk of barley - you may have to use your imagination here. But hopefully the two pictures posted here will clear up any misconception.


Barley Twisted Newel