Cable boning?

[Manwariel]

I know a lot of you use cable ties to bone your corsets and bodices, but what about using actual cable? I've never used spiral steel boning but it seems like it would be similar. Is there a reason not to?

[Kate XXXXXX]

Spiral steel boning and cable are nothing like each other.  Spiral steel is fantastic for Victorian corsets, but not for anything earlier.  use flat steels or plastic whalebone replacement boning.

[gem]

What kind of cable?  People have been boning with *cord,* which I'd think would be similar but more comfortable (being of natural fibers).  Festive Attyre has a pretty comprehensive page on boning with hemp cord.