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A reason for cord in the kit?
- Thread starter dartanyon
- Start date
Lots of modern cordage can do a decent job at the various pioneering techniques of shelter building. You lash the poles together to form frames you then fill in with other things. Sure, you might be able to lash and such in "natural" means. Depends where you are and the conditions. In my area, cord makes better sense. It's also very efficient in time which the natural means may not be. Cord is also easier to rig tarps and such with.
Similar things can be done in rigging first aid tools: Splints, litters, travois, bandage wraps and such.
As to snares, there are various types that use different materials. Wire is just one. Knowing more than one method gives you options appropriate to more locations, conditions and gear.
Wire for repair is also a potential problem depending on the item. It may be more likely to pull through the material due to its small size where cord won't. Flexibility of the repair without weakening the repair itself and so on.
Cord's not always the best, but neither is wire. You asked for uses, not just for your preference.
Phil
Similar things can be done in rigging first aid tools: Splints, litters, travois, bandage wraps and such.
As to snares, there are various types that use different materials. Wire is just one. Knowing more than one method gives you options appropriate to more locations, conditions and gear.
Wire for repair is also a potential problem depending on the item. It may be more likely to pull through the material due to its small size where cord won't. Flexibility of the repair without weakening the repair itself and so on.
Cord's not always the best, but neither is wire. You asked for uses, not just for your preference.
Phil
- Joined
- Sep 27, 1999
- Messages
- 3,164
cordage, only your imagination is limited.
1. with just cordage you can tie up enough material for a shelter.
2. set up a warning system, like tying some loud metal cans to whatever an intruder might walk by.
3. make a fishing net and block off a small stream.
4. make mocassins out rubber and cordage. or squirrels and cordage. or fabric,newspaper and cordage.
5. assist in water filtration by lashing poles together. of course you need the filters ie, panty hose.
6. lash a raft together
7. clean your teeth alla dental floss.
8. repair your knife handle
9. make a makeshift carry-all for foraged foods.
I carry alot it is light weight too!
1. with just cordage you can tie up enough material for a shelter.
2. set up a warning system, like tying some loud metal cans to whatever an intruder might walk by.
3. make a fishing net and block off a small stream.
4. make mocassins out rubber and cordage. or squirrels and cordage. or fabric,newspaper and cordage.
5. assist in water filtration by lashing poles together. of course you need the filters ie, panty hose.
6. lash a raft together
7. clean your teeth alla dental floss.
8. repair your knife handle
9. make a makeshift carry-all for foraged foods.
I carry alot it is light weight too!
RokJok
Gold Member
- Joined
- Oct 6, 2000
- Messages
- 3,779
IMHO 10 feet of cordage would likely not be enough to perform many of the uses for cordage, especially shelter construction. However, if that amount is what is in the pocket at the moment of need, that's what gets used.
I typically have about 50 feet or so of 550 paracord in various pockets and may have 100 feet or more of small cord also available. Dental floss can be incredibly compact. Braided fishing line and mason's line are less so, but they are stonger. If I have my hydropack "carry about" with me, there's another 100 feet or more of paracord in there, along with first aid, shelter, firestarting tools, etc.
FWIW, I live in a suburban area so the likelihood of actually *needing* this stuff is small. But I find the inconvenience of carrying stuff I may not need smaller than the guilt of not being able to render aid because I was too short-sighted to bring a few multi-use items with me.
JMHO, -- Greg --
I typically have about 50 feet or so of 550 paracord in various pockets and may have 100 feet or more of small cord also available. Dental floss can be incredibly compact. Braided fishing line and mason's line are less so, but they are stonger. If I have my hydropack "carry about" with me, there's another 100 feet or more of paracord in there, along with first aid, shelter, firestarting tools, etc.
FWIW, I live in a suburban area so the likelihood of actually *needing* this stuff is small. But I find the inconvenience of carrying stuff I may not need smaller than the guilt of not being able to render aid because I was too short-sighted to bring a few multi-use items with me.
JMHO, -- Greg --
- Joined
- May 4, 2000
- Messages
- 228
Ten feet of paracord, while nice to have, really isn't enough for the job. I carry at least 50 feet in my day pack all the time. The more the merrier. While cordage can be made from indiginous plants and other materials, I like having with me the things I need rather than rely on nature to provide. Mom Nature sometimes plays nasty tricks on those of us innocent survivor types who wander into the wrong section of her world. Ask Doc Ron about going camping and finding that a fire had removed lots of the plants and wildlife he had planned on using for his "survival". He even made a video about it. Interesting story. Mel Tappan said it best, "Don't plan to improvise."
- Joined
- Apr 17, 2001
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- 428
I also have brown nylon twine as well located throught it, and wrapped around my various sheaths....
- Joined
- May 10, 2002
- Messages
- 705
I have been rewarded with many justifications for carrying extra cord with me when I embark on my camping trips.
My reason for specifying such a short length of cord is due to the size of the kit I most often carry with me and the main use for the cord being, a bow string.
My smallest kit really only carries 10 feet of floss yet I carry 10 feet of cord wrapped around the handle of my favourite survival/camping bowie.
It seem as though the longer lengths of cord have quite a high priority rank with the items I carry on myself at all times. Unfortunately too much cord makes my pocket kit too bulky.
Thankyou for your valuable responses.
My reason for specifying such a short length of cord is due to the size of the kit I most often carry with me and the main use for the cord being, a bow string.
My smallest kit really only carries 10 feet of floss yet I carry 10 feet of cord wrapped around the handle of my favourite survival/camping bowie.
It seem as though the longer lengths of cord have quite a high priority rank with the items I carry on myself at all times. Unfortunately too much cord makes my pocket kit too bulky.
Thankyou for your valuable responses.
- Joined
- Sep 27, 1999
- Messages
- 3,164
I love cordage, I carry many different types, from para cord to hemp to jute to floss. cheap jute for shelter buildng works great.
Like the others above I also carry lots. I never measured but it might be in the 100' area.
that is extra weight that is well worth it. It is so light anyway.
cordage lovers unite, we can start a cordage convention.
:yawn: 
Like the others above I also carry lots. I never measured but it might be in the 100' area.
that is extra weight that is well worth it. It is so light anyway.
cordage lovers unite, we can start a cordage convention.
:yawn:
RokJok
Gold Member
- Joined
- Oct 6, 2000
- Messages
- 3,779
Originally posted by dartanyon:
My reason for specifying such a short length of cord is due to the size of the kit I most often carry with me and the main use for the cord being, a bow string.
Ah, now I understand. Thank you for the clarification. My apologies if I came off as dogmatic about the amount of cord you (or anyone other than myself) should be carrying, which in retrospect I think I did. One of those "Mea Copa" moments in my life. :footinmou
My reason for specifying such a short length of cord is due to the size of the kit I most often carry with me and the main use for the cord being, a bow string.
Ah, now I understand. Thank you for the clarification. My apologies if I came off as dogmatic about the amount of cord you (or anyone other than myself) should be carrying, which in retrospect I think I did. One of those "Mea Copa" moments in my life. :footinmou
Dartanyon, Bow stings have to have some strech in them. The limbs can break if the cord can not absorb some of the energy. Try just carrying a real Flemish bow string. They are made of several strands of very strong string. If you need to make a survival bow you just cut the nocks at the length of your string. If you need string or twine it can be cut up and used in pieces.
Most Flemish strings are 12-18 strings. I hate to say this but you could concievably cut a few strands out and still have a surviable string.
Better yet learn to make a Flemish string and buy the roll of string.
http://ns1.bowsite.org/acb/showprod...4291&st3=-67687401&CATID=10&ObjectGroup_ID=31
Gadget54