Handle wrapping

[hillst1]

I am wrapping a knife with paracord, should I wrap wet or dry to make a tight fit?

 

[Fletcher Knives]

wet. When it dries, it will constrict.

 

[jca21]

alot of people say to wet the cordage first so that as it dries the cordage can shrink around the handle forming a tighter seal.

however i've wrapped dozens of knives with dry cordage and they still hold up really well.

its up to you

i learned to wrap this way: http://www.m4040.com/Knifemaking/cordwrap.htm

although instead of one piece of tape i usually use several.

cheers

 

[siguy]

either way will work fine. if you are using nylon, the shrinking effect will be stronger than with other plastics and natural materials.

just tape up the blade or if keep it in the sheath. doing a tight cordwrap can be dangerous with a sharp blade hanging out there.

 

[DaleW]

......
just tape up the blade or if keep it in the sheath. doing a tight cordwrap can be dangerous with a sharp blade hanging out there.

Amen. I have a little vise with rubber jaws that is perfect for that.

I found this demo from Atwood on cord wrapping. Note there are others in the sidebar too: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDk3Y3jzalg

 

[Liam Ryan]

I have done all my para cord wrapping dry, but when I wrapped my F1, I then wet fitted it to the leather sheath, the wet cord tightened when it dried.
So next time I will dry wrap it then soak it, as I think it's safer and easier when dry.