Cord.

J

JamesA

Joined
Jun 2, 2001
Messages
696
A question for you folks, and I do hope I picked the right forum:

I'm looking for a good type of cord for general use -- some to keep in the car/backpack, to practice tying knots with, etc etc. All the stuff that you use cord for.

I've run into a /lot/ of 550 paracord advocates, and a handful of strongly opinionated 3mm kernmantle advocates.

Seeing as, as far as I know, I've never seen or handled either type -- and if I have, I didn't recognize it -- what are the advantages and disadvantages of each, and which would you suggest for general use? How come?

Thanks,
James
 
I've only used milspec 550, but I really can't imagine anything being as versatile. One 10' section in a minikit or on a zipper as a zipper pull gives me 80' of usable cordage - 70' of 11lb test lines and 10' of 35lb test from the sheathing. I've used it for bootlaces, stitching, for fishing, for lashing, as a clothesline, anchor cord, tiedown cord in the truckbed and atv, tie up cord for food in bear country, etc, etc, etc. Within reasonable limits, it's an awesome outdoors worthy product but definitely not suited to climbing!

Mike
 
I'll second SgtMike on his reply. He pretty much sumed it up. I tried Kermantel light cordage when I was hiking a lot in college.(I was only experimenting and never tied it all the way ;) ) It worked OK but the 550 is much stronger and a bunch more versatile.
Hope this helps.
recondoc
 
550 is great for the "big" stuff, but I also like to have some nylon twine around. The twine can be used as part of a trot line, for tying up snares so you don't use as much wire, light lashing where you don't need to support lots of weight, etc.. And you can carry a LOT fo twine in the same space as a little 550. So I go with both, and use them accordingly.
 
Looks like 550 cord is the way to go. That brings up another problem, though: I can't handle any before I buy it. Do any of you know where I could buy just like five feet of it without getting trashed on the cost? I'd just like some to play around with before I plunk down twenty five or thirty bucks for a spool of it.

Anyone got any ideas? Anyone out there sell it by the foot or some such?
 
Hey, JamesA-- If you are interested, send me an SASE and I will send you a a few feet of 550. E-mail me at the address in my profile and i will send you my mailing address.
--Josh
 
Originally posted by Josh Feltman
Hey, JamesA-- If you are interested, send me an SASE and I will send you a a few feet of 550. E-mail me at the address in my profile and i will send you my mailing address.
--Josh
Click to expand...

Thanks, Josh. You'll have mail in a minute; I owe you one.
 
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