orange 550 cord ?

[CShepherd]

If you search for Kevlar rope or spectra cord you should get a bunch of hits.

The kevlar and spectra cord, while very strong is difficult to knot and very difficult to cut. You also can't burn the ends like you do on ordinary nylon rope. You have to cut the inner kevlar or spectra strands a tad bit short then burn the outside sleeve in order to stop it from raveling. It is some extremely strong stuff though.

I looked up Bluewater 3mm accessory cord and it's rated at 400lb breaking strength. Their 4mm is rated at 900lb breaking strength. The difference is the extra inner strands on the 4mm. At REI.com you can get 30 feet of 4mm for $5.95. The 3mm is available in a 50 foot hank for $6.95.

Granted, for the majority of uses, the good ol' 550 paracord will be more than adequate, and especially for disposable uses it is great. If it is something that's going to see a lot of abuse, then go with the 3-4mm accessory cord. It will really last. It's also easy to find really neat, and bright, colors in the accessory cord. Climbers tend to bright cord for some reason.

Charles

 

[GibsonFan]

I mean no offense, Charles, but you're rapidly talking me out of even looking into high-end climber's cord. Double or triple cost, harder to knot and cut, can't be easily sealed up with a small flame, and did I mention cost? That's a whole lot of serious "negatives".

Granted, for the majority of uses, the good ol' 550 paracord will be more than adequate, and especially for disposable uses it is great.

I'm pretty firmly in the "majority of uses" camp. Can you tell me why I might ever need the really high-end stuff? I have plenty of 1/2" nylon rope and tow-straps for the heavy lifting. I'm not messing with you, this is an honest question. I've never had any 550 fail on me, but then again, I don't use it to climb mountains. I have, however, suspended and bounced my fat 220# self from the rafters of my garage with it and it didn't fail. I think it may have stretched a bit. It made a rather painful mark around my waist and nether regions, but hey, I got over it.

You are definitely correct that 550 isn't terribly abrasion-resistant, and it does get kinda ratty with "normal" outdoor use. This raises questions in my mind about it's long-term durability. Still, even ratty "pilled" 550 hasn't failed on me so far. Does that really make a difference when it's used to lash together a lean-to, for instance?

Color me "unconvinced"... so far.

 

[cz75b]

Guys,

Do one of you have a source for REFLECTIVE paracord? I need some with reflective trasers in it. Colour isn't important.

Thanks,
CZ

 

[CShepherd]

I mean no offense, Charles, but you're rapidly talking me out of even looking into high-end climber's cord. Double or triple cost, harder to knot and cut, can't be easily sealed up with a small flame, and did I mention cost? That's a whole lot of serious "negatives".



I'm pretty firmly in the "majority of uses" camp. Can you tell me why I might ever need the really high-end stuff? I have plenty of 1/2" nylon rope and tow-straps for the heavy lifting. I'm not messing with you, this is an honest question. I've never had any 550 fail on me, but then again, I don't use it to climb mountains. I have, however, suspended and bounced my fat 220# self from the rafters of my garage with it and it didn't fail. I think it may have stretched a bit. It made a rather painful mark around my waist and nether regions, but hey, I got over it.

You are definitely correct that 550 isn't terribly abrasion-resistant, and it does get kinda ratty with "normal" outdoor use. This raises questions in my mind about it's long-term durability. Still, even ratty "pilled" 550 hasn't failed on me so far. Does that really make a difference when it's used to lash together a lean-to, for instance?

Color me "unconvinced"... so far.

Actually I would talk you out of the spectra or kevlar cord in a heart beat. That stuff was $1.50 or so per foot last time I priced it and it is a pain to work with. The only practical purpose it has is for slinging chocks for climbing. On the other end, the normal accessory cord like the 3 or 4mm from bluewater is great stuff and not nearly as expensive.

I carry mostly paracord due but do plan on upgrading sometime soon to the accessory cord. Just a personal decision anyway.

Charles

 

[RokJok]

... high-end climber's cord.... harder to knot and cut, can't be easily sealed up with a small flame...

Normal non-kevlar/Spectra climbing cord is made of braided nylon. It will form and hold a knot fine (assuming right knot for the job). The ends will readily melt in a flame to keep them from fraying/unravelling, just like 550 paracord. As noted, the diameter is smaller than paracord and the abrasion resistance is a lot higher. However, climbing accessory cord does not offer the versatility and ease of extraction offered by 550 paracord's seven inner strands.

 

[nemoaz]

That stuff was $1.50 or so per foot last time I priced it and it is a pain to work with.

About .17 a foot here at Summit Hut in Tucson. They do mail order as well. I don't know why you think it is a pain. I have some on my key fob. It is just as easy to work with as 550 in my opinion... just smaller, lighter, and stronger.

 

[CShepherd]

About .17 a foot here at Summit Hut in Tucson. They do mail order as well. I don't know why you think it is a pain. I have some on my key fob. It is just as easy to work with as 550 in my opinion... just smaller, lighter, and stronger.

I was referring to the spectra/kevlar cord for that price. There's no way you got it for .17/foot. Must be regular accessory cord which would run that and is my preferrence.


If any of you are looking at accessory cord at a climbing shop, the easiest way to tell the difference between regular accessory cord and spectra/kevlar is that the spectra/kevlar cord is only availabe in 5mm or larger and it is extremely stiff. Really takes a good pull to set a knot in this stuff.

Charles

 

[nemoaz]

If any of you are looking at accessory cord at a climbing shop, the easiest way to tell the difference between regular accessory cord and spectra/kevlar is that the spectra/kevlar cord is only availabe in 5mm or larger and it is extremely stiff.

OK. Mine is 3mm and very pliable. Obviously not spectra. If they had 2mm, I would have gotten that just to try it some.

 

[CShepherd]

2mm is great stuff. Plenty strong for most applications in a survival situation and a good bit smaller than 550 paracord. I've had hit or miss luck finding the 2mm though.

Now that we've had all this discussion about it, and an apology to the original poster looking for orange 550 cord for hijacking the thread, it's got me wanting to run to the local supplier and get a bunch of 2, 3, and 4mm accessory cord. Might have to go at lunch tomorrow.

Charles