How do you carry cordage?

[sh00ter01]

Just wondering how you guys carry cordage while out in the field. I’ve seen picks of wraps around sheaths, lanyards, and such and was just wondering what you guys use and have found to work the best.

Pictures would be greatly appreciated

-sh00ter

 

[Fletcher Knives]

Just wondering how you guys carry cordage while out in the field. I’ve seen picks of wraps around sheaths, lanyards, and such and was just wondering what you guys use and have found to work the best.

Pictures would be greatly appreciated

-sh00ter

I do the wraps and stuff. It's always attached to something else that I have. Between my hawk and walking stick, I have enough to cord wrap a truck to the side of a mountian.

 

[Return of the J.D.]

One kind of cordage that I think is under-appreciated for wilderness / survival use is braided fishing line. (I gratefully acknowledge forums member MRostov as the person who clued me in to its existence.)

Berkley and Spiderwire both have versions of this stuff. You can get them at Wal-Mart. (It's cheaper from online sources, I gather.) The Berkley stuff comes in, I think, 60- and 80-pound test strength.

It has two very significant advantages over other kinds of cordage or fishing line. First, unlike monofilament line, it is constructed kind of like actual string. Therefore, it is easier to tie, etc. Second, unlike monofilament line, it doesn't take an instant set and turn into a mass of kinks in your kit.

Third, it is incredibly strong, especially for its narrow diameter. This is 60- or 80-pound-TEST cordage (with a practical breaking strength much higher than that) that's not a whole lot thicker than dental floss. It's really great for wrapping and carrying wherever, because you can get a great amount of very strong, usable cordage into a VERY small package.

The strength can be detrimental in some respects. For example, it's VERY hard to break with your hands, just in case you happen to think about doing that. It can give nasty friction cuts in a hurry, if you're trying to pull it apart. Count on using a knife if you want to cut it. (You WILL try to have a knife with you, won't you? This is BladeForums, after all. )

I often keep some wrapped around a card in my wallet. Another thing I'll do is to tape a couple of fishhooks, and maybe a wide-eyed needle or two, and maybe an X-acto blade to a knife scabbard, Bic lighter, or whatever, and then wrap a layer of braided fishing line over that. I usually finish it off with a layer of masking tape, just to hold the layer of wrapped line in place, keep it from getting tangled or unwrapped, but still leave it easily accessible.

I also do the same wrapping thing sometimes with paracord. When possible, I also make braided lanyards, over-the-shoulder loops, etc. out of paracord or the like. I even have taken to replacing my shoe and boot laces with paracord (though I've found it's hard to keep them from coming untied unless I remove the inner strands from the paracord first). Not only does it keep me from breaking a shoelace, but it also leaves me with a couple of lengths of serious cordage wherever I go. You can even get away with this on dress shoes, in some situations.

 

[macgregor22]

If you go to Klippe and look at my psk in the psk thread you will see all the unique places I store paracord.
my hat, psk, box lanyards, shoe laces, wrapping
everywhere!
I have even added more since I took those pictures

 

[bearthedog]

Braided and used as a belt!
Survival belt.

 

[jdm61]

One kind of cordage that I think is under-appreciated for wilderness / survival use is braided fishing line. (I gratefully acknowledge forums member MRostov as the person who clued me in to its existence.)

Berkley and Spiderwire both have versions of this stuff. You can get them at Wal-Mart. (It's cheaper from online sources, I gather.) The Berkley stuff comes in, I think, 60- and 80-pound test strength.

It has two very significant advantages over other kinds of cordage or fishing line. First, unlike monofilament line, it is constructed kind of like actual string. Therefore, it is easier to tie, etc. Second, unlike monofilament line, it doesn't take an instant set and turn into a mass of kinks in your kit.

Third, it is incredibly strong, especially for its narrow diameter. This is 60- or 80-pound-TEST cordage (with a practical breaking strength much higher than that) that's not a whole lot thicker than dental floss. It's really great for wrapping and carrying wherever, because you can get a great amount of very strong, usable cordage into a VERY small package.

The strength can be detrimental in some respects. For example, it's VERY hard to break with your hands, just in case you happen to think about doing that. It can give nasty friction cuts in a hurry, if you're trying to pull it apart. Count on using a knife if you want to cut it. (You WILL try to have a knife with you, won't you? This is BladeForums, after all. )

I often keep some wrapped around a card in my wallet. Another thing I'll do is to tape a couple of fishhooks, and maybe a wide-eyed needle or two, and maybe an X-acto blade to a knife scabbard, Bic lighter, or whatever, and then wrap a layer of braided fishing line over that. I usually finish it off with a layer of masking tape, just to hold the layer of wrapped line in place, keep it from getting tangled or unwrapped, but still leave it easily accessible.

I also do the same wrapping thing sometimes with paracord. When possible, I also make braided lanyards, over-the-shoulder loops, etc. out of paracord or the like. I even have taken to replacing my shoe and boot laces with paracord (though I've found it's hard to keep them from coming untied unless I remove the inner strands from the paracord first). Not only does it keep me from breaking a shoelace, but it also leaves me with a couple of lengths of serious cordage wherever I go. You can even get away with this on dress shoes, in some situations.

What in the hell is "cordage"? Is that like signage? How come "cordage" means STRING and signage means signs, but garbage does not refer to clothing? As for fishing line, the breaking strength is generally exactly what is says on the package or slightly LESS, because if it isn't, your world line class record bass or sailfish goes out the door. Braided dacron line has generally fallen into disfavor for fishing. Also, ANY fishing line will break at considerably less than it's rated strength if abraded in even the most slight way. If you could find some dacron line that was in the 400 pound range, then I would say use it. Otherwise, it isn't worth the weight savings. The strongest fhsing line is the heavy fluorocarbon stuff, but it is still monofilament.

 

[stingray4540]

I have a 2" long braided lanyard that has a carabiner on one end, and my key ring on the other, this way I can clip my key to my belt loop and they hang inside my back pocket. Approximately 2feet of 550 paracord is in that 2in. braid, so if you include the inner strands, I have about 14 feet of string/cord that is on me all the time.

 

[tknife]

I get about 20' or so and wrap it around itself and throw it in my pack. I carry 550, and jute cordage. I also have some sheaths wrapped with it, but it's harder to get at.
Floss is another excellent thing to carry. I found little three packs at the 99 cent store. I popped them out of the plastic case, and it's a convienient little spool.

 

[jdm61]

So where does one buy "cordage"? At Xtreme Cordage Depot?

 

[1_BIG_BUNKER]

One kind of cordage that I think is under-appreciated for wilderness / survival use is braided fishing line. (I gratefully acknowledge forums member MRostov as the person who clued me in to its existence.)

Berkley and Spiderwire both have versions of this stuff. You can get them at Wal-Mart. (It's cheaper from online sources, I gather.) The Berkley stuff comes in, I think, 60- and 80-pound test strength.

It has two very significant advantages over other kinds of cordage or fishing line. First, unlike monofilament line, it is constructed kind of like actual string. Therefore, it is easier to tie, etc. Second, unlike monofilament line, it doesn't take an instant set and turn into a mass of kinks in your kit.

Third, it is incredibly strong, especially for its narrow diameter. This is 60- or 80-pound-TEST cordage (with a practical breaking strength much higher than that) that's not a whole lot thicker than dental floss. It's really great for wrapping and carrying wherever, because you can get a great amount of very strong, usable cordage into a VERY small package.

The strength can be detrimental in some respects. For example, it's VERY hard to break with your hands, just in case you happen to think about doing that. It can give nasty friction cuts in a hurry, if you're trying to pull it apart. Count on using a knife if you want to cut it. (You WILL try to have a knife with you, won't you? This is BladeForums, after all. )

I often keep some wrapped around a card in my wallet. Another thing I'll do is to tape a couple of fishhooks, and maybe a wide-eyed needle or two, and maybe an X-acto blade to a knife scabbard, Bic lighter, or whatever, and then wrap a layer of braided fishing line over that. I usually finish it off with a layer of masking tape, just to hold the layer of wrapped line in place, keep it from getting tangled or unwrapped, but still leave it easily accessible.

I also do the same wrapping thing sometimes with paracord. When possible, I also make braided lanyards, over-the-shoulder loops, etc. out of paracord or the like. I even have taken to replacing my shoe and boot laces with paracord (though I've found it's hard to keep them from coming untied unless I remove the inner strands from the paracord first). Not only does it keep me from breaking a shoelace, but it also leaves me with a couple of lengths of serious cordage wherever I go. You can even get away with this on dress shoes, in some situations.

I agree with this completely about braided line.


This is what I do to carry extra line all the time.

I cut two 5 foot lengths of 550 cord for my boot laces. Then I pull out all but one of the inner cords. I will then take my 35 pound test braided fishing line and coil it up in 5 foot loops. I do about 3 complete loops and I have around 30 feet of uncut fishing line. Each loop is a 10 foot circle.

I take the last inner cord of the 550 and tie it to my loop of braided fishing line and pull it through so it is on the inside of my 550. I make sure I tie off the inner cord right where one of the ends are at on the fishing line so when it is pulled through, I have an end of fishing line sticking out on each end of the 550 cord.

Untire the inner strand of 550 cord. Then on each end of the fishing line I will put a split shot sinker, and tuck it back into the 550 cord sheath, and melt it closed.

I do this with both laces, but in the other lace, I use 200 pound test Dracon line. It is about the same size as an inner stand of 550. You can get 25-30 feet of it inside.


I have also taken fish hooks and put them inside clear tape. I space them so they line up INSIDE inbetween your boot eyelets. I put two on the INSIDE of the eyelet flap of each side of each boot so I have eight hooks. Then I put a piece of duct tape over the clear tape to hold them in place, and run the 550 through the duct tape and eyelets, and lace up my boots. Once your boots are laced up the small hooks are sandwiched between two pieces of boot leather, and tape.


I do this because I don't care for the inner strands of 550 for fishing line as it is to big for me, and I don't like to tie it together. Also, I want real fishing line and heavier line that is one piece. I now have a small complete fishing kit if I ever need it, hooks, sinkers, and line.

I have opened up my laces after a year or so of wearing my boots everyday, as that is the only shoes I own, and the line in both laces were fine.

 

[Return of the J.D.]

What in the hell is "cordage"? Is that like signage? How come "cordage" means STRING and signage means signs, but garbage does not refer to clothing? As for fishing line, the breaking strength is generally exactly what is says on the package or slightly LESS, because if it isn't, your world line class record bass or sailfish goes out the door. Braided dacron line has generally fallen into disfavor for fishing. Also, ANY fishing line will break at considerably less than it's rated strength if abraded in even the most slight way. If you could find some dacron line that was in the 400 pound range, then I would say use it. Otherwise, it isn't worth the weight savings. The strongest fhsing line is the heavy fluorocarbon stuff, but it is still monofilament.

The braided lines are still pretty impressive as a way of keeping a good deal of string in a tiny space, and therefore keeping it in situations in which you'd usually be without any. I originally kept regular monofilament in my small survival kits, but never yet found a way to keep it from taking a permanent set. (Suggestions welcome, if you know of good ways.) I also find the braided stuff somewhat easier to tie and work with. For what it's worth, the general lack of water--and, therefore, of fish--where I live means that I'd be likeliest to use whatever string I had for one of the other million miscellaneous uses, than for fishing. Might happen, but I'm likelier to be using it to build a snare for rabbits, lash an arrowhead to an arrow, or something like that, than to fish with it.

I'm not surprised that abraded fishing line has a lower breaking point. But it's still going to do better than yucca fiber, or whatever else I'm going to have to use if I don't have some with me.

 

[Return of the J.D.]

Very clever, 1BB!

 

[jdm61]

The braided lines are still pretty impressive as a way of keeping a good deal of string in a tiny space, and therefore keeping it in situations in which you'd usually be without any. I originally kept regular monofilament in my small survival kits, but never yet found a way to keep it from taking a permanent set. (Suggestions welcome, if you know of good ways.) I also find the braided stuff somewhat easier to tie and work with. For what it's worth, the general lack of water--and, therefore, of fish--where I live means that I'd be likeliest to use whatever string I had for one of the other million miscellaneous uses, than for fishing. Might happen, but I'm likelier to be using it to build a snare for rabbits, lash an arrowhead to an arrow, or something like that, than to fish with it.

I'm not surprised that abraded fishing line has a lower breaking point. But it's still going to do better than yucca fiber, or whatever else I'm going to have to use if I don't have some with me.

Unfortunately for the average woodsy chap, monofilament is probably designed to take a set and lock up. That is a desirable feature when tying fishing line knots. The 200 lbs dacron would be a better option than the 60 for most applications. As for abrasion. I have seen 200-400 pound mono leader line used for teaser reals snap after being abraded by 20 pound line. To me, the attractive thing about paracord is that if you need some small string, you already had a bunch of it inside the sheathing of your big string. The bad thing about nylon rope, etc that I learned in the miltary is that when it gets wet, it can stretch, sometimes a LOT as in the case of the standard green military rappelling rope.

 

[1_BIG_BUNKER]

Very clever, 1BB!

Thanks. I don't post much unless I have something that might be of interest to everyone.

I am not sure if anyone cares, but I will also pull through a five foot piece of braided wire leader for snares. I have a small loop on one end that is already made before I pull it through. I figure two five foot lengths of braided wire can't hurt to have.

Although when you take it out, it is not nice and straight anymore. It does have some bends in it, but still in good useable shape.

 

[mtnfolk mike]

i carry my cordage wrapped in a butterfly choil, like you would wrap a climbing rope... i also carry a small bundle of jute twine.. man, i love the stuff...:thumbup:

 

[storl]

Thanks. I don't post much unless I have something that might be of interest to everyone.

I am not sure if anyone cares, but I will also pull through a five foot piece of braided wire leader for snares. I have a small loop on one end that is already made before I pull it through. I figure two five foot lengths of braided wire can't hurt to have.

Although when you take it out, it is not nice and straight anymore. It does have some bends in it, but still in good useable shape.

Got any pictures of your super boots for us visual learners? I like your thought process.

On another note, I picked up several spools of Kevlar thread from County Comm. It was cheap, and seems to be pretty nice. It is, of course, ridiculously strong. I haven't had a chance to try using it on a trip yet, but I would imagine that it will perform well.

 

[Dannyboy Leather]

The braided fishing lines have been used for cordage long before many of us were born. It wasn't at all unusual for craftsmen to wrap some of their tool handles with braided fishing line for gripping or repair, and saturate it with a coat of varnish for moisture protection. Traditional archers have used braided fishing lines for archery cordage for as long as history books have been around. Even after the braided line has been varnished (some will epoxy coat the line), it is easy to strip it off and single it out for other uses.

I wrapped this bamboo backed bow handle with 100-pound braided dacron then set it with epoxy. Can't hardly beat it for a gripping surface. Lousy photo but you get the idea.

 

[One more time]

Some of the best braided cordage for quantity and cost is to buy a Berkley fly line, leader, backing spool, at places like Wally World or K-Mart. The spool will have a 7.5' long leader, about 30' of Wt 6 or 7 fly line, and 100 yards of 18# test braided backing. The price is less than $20. I have, on occasion, bought the kit for less than $10.

You can also find the yellow or orange "Batter Board" trolling braided line at good fishing shops in 150-300' lengths 80# test for around $7. This is great braided line and I use it for everything. It would work well wrapped around an Axe Handle for visibility (as well as other items like a knife handle).

OMT

 

[kenk]

I just cut a 100' hank of countycomm.com paracord into six 16+ foot lengths and then wrap them around my palm to create six fairly compact bundles and store them in a ziplok bag. I find the 16' lengths very handy for all sort of things. I'll also usually carry 6-12 of the 16' lengths - usually the orange stuff - and one or two 50' length of heavier 3/8" nylon cord.

 

[morph]

for paracord, i have 11 or 12 ft made into a bracelet and 50 ft that i carry coiled up in a cardboard slim jim cylinder.