Another Paracord Question

M

maury

Joined
Sep 24, 2000
Messages
606
OK, now that I have been hooked on braiding paracord into lotsa shapes it was never intended for, I have a question on just what is really being sold.

I have been using black. 7 strand cord which I belive is 550 pound test (never had the oportunity - or need!- to find out).

In looking to buy some in other colors, but I have beern told that "real' paracord only comes in black, white and OD. Is that true?

Also, I found listings for "Mil Spec" and "III Commercial" paracord; can anyone explain the differance?

As always, your info is most appreciated!
 
Milspec paracord does indeed only come in black, white, and OD green. This type of cord has 7 strands. It is officially known as "550 cord". The military really has no need for any other color though I have seen a camo cord but this is more of a utility cord and is not milspec rated. Commercial grade paracord comes in multitudes of colors and has either 4 strands or a single braided poly strand. This is also known as 440 cord. This not intended to hold any sort of weight over 400 lbs. Here is the link to were I get mine from.

http://www.geocities.com/hppycam/newparachutecord.html
 
WTFOver said:
There is MIL-C-5040 Type3 seven strand 550 cord in Red and Brown as well.
Click to expand...

Must be a new thing. When I was in the USAF I worked in the Supply building and never saw those colors. The brown I can see being made due to desert warfare but can you explain the red?
 
The brown is newer but we always had a few spools of red in every U.S. Navy Rigger Shop I ever went to. It always paid to get to know the PR's in every squadron I was in... who else needed to sew gear bags to hold all of thier gear bags?
 
I would buy from a reputable dealer. Stay away from eBay. Anyone from those mentioned would be more knowledgeable about the stuff. Just give any of them a call.
 
For my stuff I use the 450 stuff. Leashes are gutted and harnesses are not. I can't break the stuff with my hands so it is strong enough for my applications. I get most of it from Happy Camper.
 
K.V. Collucci said:
Must be a new thing. When I was in the USAF I worked in the Supply building and never saw those colors. The brown I can see being made due to desert warfare but can you explain the red?
Click to expand...


It's used for shroud lines on those big ole orange and white bail out chutes that aircrews wear.
 
Paracord is great but I see no reason to limit yourself to only paracord, accessory cord from climbing shops can be found in many sizes, strengths and colors, macrame cord is inexpensive and though not as strong is good for many applications, there is also sisal, hemp, polypropylene, cotton and all sorts of cord and rope designed for marine or decorative use, I've made lots of nice stuff with white cord made for blinds, even simple yarn and crocheting thread can be braided and used for lots of stuff.

Then again I'm only a knot nut, not a paracord fan.

Luis
 
Paracord (the U.S. mil spec variety) is one of the most useful things a guy can have around. Ive bought it in Black, OD green, and Maroon. All of these colors were 7 strand mil-spec, purchased at countycomm.com.
I heard the tensile strength breakdown once from a guy who seemed to know:

7 inner strands, each rated at 30 lbs. Sometimes one strand is different colored than the rest thereby denoting a true mil-spec product, but there were exceptions to the rule, some mil-spec cordage didnt have the off color strand. I think he said that the outer shell alone was rated at 325 lbs.

plain useful stuff in my book.
 
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