Lashings

fedaykincmndr

fedaykincmndr

Joined
Aug 3, 2004
Messages
971
I just had an epiphany. I'm wearin' some shorts that have all those strings an such on them and I was just thinking; if you were wearing a pair of pants that had drawstrings on them when you were hiking, backpacking, or whatever those strings could be used as lashings. Just thought I'd mention it in case no one had thought of it and it might be a way to carry a little extra cordage without realizing the weight.
 
Good Idea.

I have made a habbit of replacing all the laces on my boots, drawstrings on coats, basically all clothing and gear that has non bungee cordage - all with 550 paracord. Never had to use it, but its there if I ever needed it. Replaced all the bungee cords on my hydration pack with black surgical tubing with jute twine threaded through it for strength and emergency tinder

I'm a big fan of that sort of thing
 
If you're wearing clothes, there's always the less obvious cordage.
Webbeltcordage1-IMGP0112.jpg
Cordage made from an unravelled web belt.

Denimcordage1-IMGP0116.jpg
Cordage made from a piece of denim (could be the couple inches you cut off the bottom of your pant legs).

BTW, both these cords successfully made fire on a firebow.

I also have replaced my boot laces and cord in my Tilley with 550. And while I'm on the subject, a lot of people make lanyards for their SAK's etc. Why not use jute and you always have a ready supply of tinder?

Doc
 
fedaykincmndr said:
...I was just thinking; if you were wearing a pair of pants that had drawstrings on them when you were hiking, backpacking, or whatever those strings could be used as lashings... .
Click to expand...

Yeah, but how cool will it be when my shelter is up but my pants are down?!? :D

Seriously, you have a good point, as does Doc. Surely, a torn-off strip of pants can be a good bandage, tinder, etc. as well. Clothes are cheap in the larger view.

Like digispam and Doc_Canada, my bootlaces/drawstrings etc. have already been replaced with 550 cord for strength and utility. I haven't been able to light 550 with a ferro rod, but it can produce a flame and burn long enough to help start other tinder; better than holding your Bic down in the tinder pile, anyway. Of course, protected jute like was mentioned, would be much better in that respect, I'm sure. There's also pre-waxed candle wicking at craft stores, multiple uses there.
 
Digispam, good idea with the stuffed surgical tubing. I love the really stretchy stuff. I think surgical tubing has some pretty practical survival uses such as making projectile weapons, trap springs or even a tournequette.
Cool thread though making the not so obvious more obvious.

-Lindey
 
Man. Howd you do the chordage from the belt and jeans. I mean, how do you weave that chordage?
 
Fiddleback said:
Man. Howd you do the chordage from the belt and jeans. I mean, how do you weave that chordage?
Click to expand...

I'm on my way to the doctor's, so I didn't have a lot of time to find something, but this should get you started:

http://www-users.cs.york.ac.uk/~mjf/bushcraft/cordage.html

http://www.motherearthnews.com/DIY/1983-01-01/Making-Natural-Cordage.aspx

http://www.nativetech.org/cordage/

http://www.arthurhaines.com/reverse-wrap-cord.htm

http://www.wildwoodsurvival.com/survival/fire/bowdrill/strings/fastbowdrillstrings.html


The technique is called 'reverse twist cordage' and it is how we make cord, rope, string, etc. You can also find instructions in any archery book that teaches you how to make a Flemish bow string. It is really quite simple, once you get started and practice will change your first attempts, which usually look like s**t, into nice looking, strong cordage.

BTW, I had a passing look at the instructions and the splicing technique in most, if not all of them, sucks. So if you want to learn a better splicing technique than "fan the end out". let me know.

If you have any questions, just ask.

Doc
 
Great thread guys. A lot of good-to-know info. I hadn't even considered the idea of making cordage from a piece of denim, never mind how to do it. Thanks.
 
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