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550 Cord
- Thread starter abo4ster
- Start date
It depends on your intended use. Cheaper cordage can do many of the things needed around camp.
The reason many carry 550 mil. spec. para-cord is due to its usefulness. Not all para-cords are equal. Some dont have the 7 inner strands as the mil. spec. para-cord has. It can be taken apart and the inner strands used separately.
The 550 mil. spec. para-cord is rated at 550 lb. test strength. Inside the outer sheath, there are 7 strands. Each of these strands is rated at about 35 lb. each. The 7 strands are made up of 3 twisted strands. Each of these 3 strands have a test strength of about 11 lb. each. The outer sheath by its self is rated at about 300 lb.
In one length of cord, you could pull it apart and have a variety of cordage of different strengths to use for different tasks. From fishing line, to shelter building cordage, to suspending things. Your knowledge and imagination are the limit. All in a single length of cord.
Again, not all so called para-cords are the same. There are civilian versions and other knock offs so if you want the good stuff, pull open the end and have a look.
Neal
The reason many carry 550 mil. spec. para-cord is due to its usefulness. Not all para-cords are equal. Some dont have the 7 inner strands as the mil. spec. para-cord has. It can be taken apart and the inner strands used separately.
The 550 mil. spec. para-cord is rated at 550 lb. test strength. Inside the outer sheath, there are 7 strands. Each of these strands is rated at about 35 lb. each. The 7 strands are made up of 3 twisted strands. Each of these 3 strands have a test strength of about 11 lb. each. The outer sheath by its self is rated at about 300 lb.
In one length of cord, you could pull it apart and have a variety of cordage of different strengths to use for different tasks. From fishing line, to shelter building cordage, to suspending things. Your knowledge and imagination are the limit. All in a single length of cord.
Again, not all so called para-cords are the same. There are civilian versions and other knock offs so if you want the good stuff, pull open the end and have a look.
Neal
- Joined
- Oct 23, 2002
- Messages
- 1,147
There are cords made by rock climbing companies that will withstand a lot more weight and not take up much more room, but certainly worth it!!!
Check out REI.com as one example, or go to bluewater rope company, or for that matter any other rope company who makes rock climbing rope and have a look.... worth the time and effort, sorry I don't have a minute this morning to find links, but will try to after my mtg.
Cut and paste this link to find some 5mm rope of decent color with a significant tensile strength. Just an example of what's out there...
http://www.ems.com/products/product...1Iq04qYiNho1JFkYbKbeIuHkdilxqXfY0wArMxPUV182P!935401555!174391831!7005!8005!109661607!174391830!7005!8005?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441775679&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302160811&fromTemplate=navigation%2Fsubcategory.jsp&bmUID=1065809047022
Check out REI.com as one example, or go to bluewater rope company, or for that matter any other rope company who makes rock climbing rope and have a look.... worth the time and effort, sorry I don't have a minute this morning to find links, but will try to after my mtg.
Cut and paste this link to find some 5mm rope of decent color with a significant tensile strength. Just an example of what's out there...
http://www.ems.com/products/product...1Iq04qYiNho1JFkYbKbeIuHkdilxqXfY0wArMxPUV182P!935401555!174391831!7005!8005!109661607!174391830!7005!8005?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441775679&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302160811&fromTemplate=navigation%2Fsubcategory.jsp&bmUID=1065809047022
Neal's description of the bnefits of REAL 550 cord is right on. On the other hand, some of the high tech stuff reffered to by Mtnclimber offers spectacularly good performance. In my view, unless you are going to be doing some serious climbing, 550 is hard to beat. Its versatility and much lower price make it a better choice for genereal purpose use IMO. If you are in a mountainous region you might add some climbing rope to use when you need to dangle.
- Joined
- Oct 23, 2002
- Messages
- 1,147
I'll give my .02 again on this.... this is one thing that you may never need for anything other than tying up a food bag, making a snare, or other task in which load bearing is not an issue... however if there ever comes a time in which you need to use your line for rescue or something in which the ability to suport your weight is a concern then get something made by a rope climbing company.
I am not able to explain the physics of this, but even though paracord says it can hold 550 pounds, that does not mean that if you weigh 200 pounds and fall on the rope it will support you.... you have to take into account the weight added by the fall, impact of the fall, andother things I really can't explain...
In short... I always have a length of strong rope nearby. Paracord always has its uses however.... food for thought.
www.rei.com is oneplace to buy such things... great place for gear.
I am not able to explain the physics of this, but even though paracord says it can hold 550 pounds, that does not mean that if you weigh 200 pounds and fall on the rope it will support you.... you have to take into account the weight added by the fall, impact of the fall, andother things I really can't explain...
In short... I always have a length of strong rope nearby. Paracord always has its uses however.... food for thought.
www.rei.com is oneplace to buy such things... great place for gear.
Mtnclimber69 is absolutely right about not using 550 para-cord to suspend a person. DONT do it. It is not rope, it is cord. As handy as I think para-cord is, the only time I would ever be suspended from it is if there were a parachute over head with a bunch of paracords attached. There is a good reason to have that many cords of that rating under a chute.
As far as jumping out of a plane. I dont think so.
Neal
As far as jumping out of a plane. I dont think so.
Neal
When an object is in motion it wants to continue in the direction it is travelling... When you ask it to stop, especially when teathered it fights back... the result is the rope feels the strain of this motion... adding greatly to the weight of the object that drops.
This is why slowly lowering a heavy object as apposed to trying to drop it then catch it right off the floor is the way to go... The same strain that your muscles an joints would feel, the rope feels!
This is why slowly lowering a heavy object as apposed to trying to drop it then catch it right off the floor is the way to go... The same strain that your muscles an joints would feel, the rope feels!