Help with lanyard related tools

[Waldganger]

Hey there knuts.

I've just started tinkering with paracord and made some reasonably simple stuff.
Whilst I was searching for inspiration I found a few pics of some cool looking fids/awls/spikes.

It got me wanting the tools to do this better.

I have leatherman micra scissors on ebay, plan on getting a jet lighter, and I would like some help locating some other stuff.

I can think of a fid and maybe a hook, but I already have a cheap hook that I can use so I mainly want a nice looking hook that I can put a nice little turks head on etc etc.

would using a wooden hairpin be good for a fid? I can get nice ones like these
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI...m=250179654127&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=015
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/KITTYPIPER-H...Z015QQcategoryZ110629QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/KITTYPIPER-H...Z015QQcategoryZ110629QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem

googling for fids and splicing tools comes up with small sets worth over 40 bucks and I only really want something thats good for type I and type III paracord.


any knot/lanyard sites that may have tools links would be greatly appreciated.

also any other bits of kit that would be handy thanks.


Cheers guys

 

[Fujimo]

For a fid: do an ebay search on Marlinspike, marlin spike, rigging knife, riggers knife, etc. A fairly nice marlinspike knife can be had for $40 or less.

I recently bought a hand turned 7/16" stainless steel spike for $7.50 on ebay.

Alternatively, Tandy Leather sells a little about 5" long, that has a diamond shaped tip. Works well as a fid in small stuff.
Also, you could take a small screwdriver, grind the tip to a point, or even regrind it to a "duckbill" point.

For a hook, a cheap set of crochet hooks will work nicely. Or a craft shop latch hook of the type that people use to make latch hook rugs. Or, take a piece of wire about 8" long, bend it into a loop and set the ends into a file handle.

I've posted a bunch of links to knot sites before. Start at www.khww.net.

 

[Fujimo]

A couple other useful tools:

For holding multiple strands together for plaiting, braiding, etc., some spring style clothespins, an office binder clip, or a chip clip with a strong spring. The clothespins are also useful as place holders when you're interrupted. If you need something fancier, do an ebay search for "hemostats" or "forceps." I bought about 7 or 8 forceps, made in Pakistan, for about $10 or so on ebay. Forceps are also useful as a fid in paracord or smaller, since the tip is pointed, and they can grip a bit of cord and pull it back through the knot.

 

[mikeymoto]

Hehe, I appropriated two of my wife's knitting needles for fids. They work great! I got one very small one, and a larger one for varying needs. I can see how having a handle on one end would be nice, or something to fit in the palm while working with the other end, because sometimes there's a lack of leverage.