Many men put their rosary on their finger to pray and then some time later drop it as the beads break one by one. In most cases, the rosary in question was a very beautiful one, that was put on a table in a house or apartment, taken out on special occasions to say a few prayers and then put back. In between times, it was probably left to gather dust. The rosary had served its purpose. It was then no longer any good.
Why Choose a Durable Rosary?
A rosary is a object that is carried in your pocket. So, by definition, it is subject to many stresses. Such as: the beads of a rosary getting scraped by keys; a rosary getting caught in clothing; a rosary flexing with sitting and other physical activity. Traditional rosaries are generally made of thin wire links and of decorative elements that are not durable. Most such rosaries will fail after a few broken beads or a broken chain.
Men who work with their hands need to be able to take their rosaries to work with them. So, the rosary will get dirty and possibly even hit. Therefore, the rosary must be made of hardy, durable materials and the findings must be sturdy. Soft materials and light-weight findings will not work for a rosary that a man with active hands will be carrying with him.
Many different things can wear down a Rosary, especially depending on how often it is used. Men who pray from time to time may not notice as much wear and tear on their Rosary as the man who regularly prays the Rosary (daily) to hundreds of cycles every month. As you go through the cycles of the Rosary, the beads slide across each other. This can cause the connections to wear down, depending on the materials used to make the Rosary. Minor wear and tear can go a long way in a very short amount of time.
The durability of these prayer beads for men are also enhanced by the good distribution of weight on each part. There is no part that has been made too weak or prone to too much stress or strain. For example the heavy centerpiece of this rosary does not put any stress on the cord in the center of the rosary. Likewise the heavy crucifix does not put any undue stress on the cord. This rosary has been well made.
Materials for a Rosary that Lasts.
For most Rosaries made for men, stone is the best choice for the beads. While stone can get scratched, most stones do not have to show the scratches, do not absorb oils from skin, therefore do not get dirty. They also do not change color from being in the sun or in the rain. For men’s Rosaries made with stone, some of the best types of stone are Hematite, Obsidian and Semi-Precious Stones. These stones are generally durable enough and can last for years to come. Even with daily use.
There are also rosaries that are made completely of metal. Stainless steel rosaries are very durable as stainless steel is a metal that does not corrode and can withstand a great amount of stress. In addition to stainless steel, there are many other types of metal that are used in rosary construction, including bronze and brass. While a solid metal rosary can make a great devotional tool, the weight of the rosary must be considered when choosing a metal rosary to take with you daily. A very heavy rosary may be to large to carry in your pocket throughout the day.
This means the connection between the beads is very important. A rosary with a knotted cord (a corded rosary) will last longer than a chain-linked rosary, because each bead can move independently. So, while a chain-linked rosary can last a long time as well, it is not as durable as a well-made corded rosary. With wire wrapping, the connections between the beads can be made to distribute the stress of use evenly, thus providing long-lasting results.
Modern materials worth considering
Lastly there are some products on the market today which are made from the newest high end materials. They can have the feel of a normal Rosary but have the strength and durability of an entirely new class of items. For instance beads made from the highest quality synthetic nylon, cord of the strongest polymers and the most creative use of the highest end of findings. These Rosaries would be perfect for a man in today’s busy world that needs a constant reminder of prayer in his life but also needs a product that can stand up to his rugged daily life.
Design elements that support masculine preferences
The rosary needs to be used often enough that it becomes second nature to the man using it. This means that the rosary should not look gaudy or ostentatious. While there are certainly rosaries made for women that have elaborate designs and many decorations, most rosaries made for men are very simple. Dark colors are far preferred to bright colors. Simple decorations are preferred over elaborate designs. Many rosaries are designed with durability in mind using simple designs and dark colors. These types of rosaries can be very durable and make great choices for men.
A rosary that the man carries is probably going to be small enough to put in a pocket. The rosary should also be of a size that does not draw attention to itself. This is because the man uses the rosary so he can develop prayer habits that are in keeping with his masculine values. Thus, when searching for a rosary for men, the best option would be a rosary that is made of the most durable materials.
This has to do with design, in that rosaries made for men to wear to work will typically be very understated. Men working in professional environments may be very hesitant to wear items that could be perceived to draw attention to the religious practices that they follow. A rosary that is designed for a man working in a professional environment could include a number of features. First, the rosary could be made in a number of very muted colors. For example, a rosary could be made with beads that are dark blue or deep, rich reds. Also, the rosary could include very minimal amounts of ornamentation. If there are any figures or symbols, then they should be fairly plain and not in any way graphic. Many designers of rosaries that are intended to be worn to work by men are very aware of the issue and make their rosaries accordingly. These types of rosaries are great for men who are in professions that are typically considered to be somewhat formal, such as working in an office. They can also be a good choice for other men as well, as the Rosary is a devotional item and not typically something that is meant to be drawn attention to in any way.
For the man who’s always on the go, his prayer beads can get a real workout! Traveling can be tough on just about anything, but particularly for something as delicate as a rosary. Going through airport security is a particular problem, and some areas of the airport can be particularly difficult for your rosary. Airport chairs are notoriously hard to sit in for long periods of time, with their tight seats and inadequate support. This can be especially hard on your rosary, which can slip and slide around in your pocket or bag. But again, for the man with high-quality beads, this kind of abuse is barely even noticeable.
Long-term value and replacement considerations
A good durable rosary is cost effective in the long run. At first it may seem very expensive but if you added up the cost of all the cheap rosaries that you could have used in the past to replace the rosary that you are currently using it would be cheaper in the long run. Also, the items that make up a good durable rosary can be repaired when they become worn out. Cheap rosaries on the other hand cannot be repaired and must be replaced in their entirety when one part of the rosary breaks.
A well-made rosary is very important in fostering a deep prayerful habit. The same rosary that you have for months or even years to come can create a bond for you to that rosary. This bond can bring a lot of depth and richness to your prayer life. A rosary that can be repaired and brought back to “new life” is even more valuable than one that can only be used until it is worn out and must be thrown away and replaced by another, cheaper rosary that will also only have to be used for a short amount of time.
A well-made rosary is also well-balanced so that the weight of the beads and other components is evenly distributed throughout the rosary. In this way, there are no areas of stress concentration where the rosary could break.
