Paracord drag handle? (ALICE frame)

C

Clead

Joined
Dec 7, 2006
Messages
148
I'm sitting here in my hotel room having been unsuccessful at trying to find a how-to for making a 550 drag handle for a pack frame. After I had to lift my loaded ALICE pack out of the truck onto a luggage cart by its frame, I decided a drag handle would be a nice help. and I of course have a large hank of 550 with me. So... what's the best knot to use, and the best way to attach it to the frame? I'm thinking any single loop of 550 would be a little flimsy for attaching, so maybe a sinnet around the frame and back onto itself? I'm not all that handy with 550 knots yet, I just read a lot... I've made a couple types of bracelets, but I couldn't do it from memory, so please keep it simple for me. :o
Duncan
 
I never seemed to have any trouble picking it up by either the shoulder strap or picking it up under the padded part that rests against the top of you back. :D
 
Usually that's the same way I would pick it up as well, but it was stuck in the middle of some other gear with only the top exposed..... and it would be a good way to store paracord on it permanently too. :D
 
Sinnets, braids and chains work fine for handles, the pic shows one that I was planning to use as a drawer pull, a three strand sinnet is made and fold, the ends are joined with a six strand diamond knot, then a star knot and finished with a rosebud knot (too complicated for your purpose I guess).

Here's two pages that show how to make a sinnet and a chain:

http://www.animatedknots.com/crowns...ge=LogoGrog.jpg&Website=www.animatedknots.com.

http://www.animatedknots.com/chains...ge=LogoGrog.jpg&Website=www.animatedknots.com.

Macrame knots also work well, here's some:

http://www.elainecraft.com/instructions/var1.sq.html

Not long ago I uploaded a video to youtube showing how to make a four stranded finger loop braid, it's done with yarn but works with paracord too. If you like the technique you can tie small loops on the ends for your fingers instead of folding the cords so as not to get it too thick.

Luis


Click to enlarge
 
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I have an ALICE pack, and improvised a very simple, very strong grab handle using some stray nylon accessory straps I had hanging around. I simply worked it around and through the T-part of the top of the frame, then tied it in a knot. Voila, instant grab handle. The T of the frame helps keep the loop from disappearing behind the upper padding. I don't have it handy, but the strap was probably a foot long or so to start. The loop formed by the knot is pretty much a standard-size haul point.
 
I had this strap sewn for me, it was just some webbing that's parent device got trashed. It's simple (just goes around the "T") and any drycleaner should have someone who can do it for next to nothing.
You can see it in the picture, its a different shade of OD than the rest of the pack.

 
Thanks for the web suggestions guys. I might give that a try, but I've been on a solid multi-purpose-item kick ever since I read John McCann's "Build the Perfect Survival Kit".
So any way to carry more paracord built into my gear is a big plus.
 
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