Paracord: must have, can't do without item?

S

shawn79

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...or overhyped fad?


I bet I'm about to get my butt torn into, but I have to ask this. Why do people make it seem as though no kit should EVER be without paracord?
I understand the usefulness of it, it's good stuff and I plan on getting some (I'm not a noob, btw. I know my stuff, this is just a question). But, does every kit NEED to have paracord, or will normal nylon cord work too?
Now, myself, I've used nylon cord, shoe string, rope AND vines (which are really strong if they're alive), no paracord though (which is why I plan on getting some). To me, they're all just as good as the other for what I'd need 'em for.

So I guess my question is: What's the big deal with the stuff? I know it's got a 550 lb tensile strength. I know you can seperate the inner fibers for thread if you have to. Other than that (which is pretty frickin' handy) why's it made to seem that if you don't have it, you're doomed in a survival sitcheeashun?
 
It's a great multi-use cord. It has more uses/weight than other cordage. I don't believe someone will die due to the lack of it, but I think that it will help in many situations that other cordage falls short. Lashing, fishing, burning and fairly abrasion resistant comparatively speaking.
 
When I can afford it I much prefer 3mm accessory cord like climbers use. It's a bit stronger for the same size and is much more pick resistant. You can find it at most outdoor stores, and all that sell climbing equipment but it does run a good bit more cost wise. Because of that I do carry bunches of paracord.

Charlie
 
I've used paracord, but I'm not a huge fan of it. I have a small ball of jute twine in my daypack, and it's worked great for most of what needs a piece of cord to be tied up. Nylon does not hold knots as well as natual fiber twine, and the jute is finer diameter, nice when making a three pronged fishing spear. I think paracord is one of those over hyped items. Your milage may vary of course, and this is just my own opinon from 50+ years of use.
 
Cordage can be hard to come by in the woods. Sure it can be fashioned from any number of fibers, but that takes time. If you need to get a shelter together quickly, several feet of cord can be a huge help. I suppose it doesn't have to be 550 cord, but the inner strands make it so much more versatile.
 
I have said this on other threads, I believe you just can't have enough, especially in a long term Survival Situation. I try to carry as much as the kit will allow, I am waiting on a new kit bag so I plan on increasing the size of 550 Cord I have in it.

RickJ
 
If I had a choice of twine , jute , nylon , banlon , rayon etc etc etc , I would still choose paracord over all of them for the simple fact it is much more useful.

What other cordage ( besides similiarly constructed cord/rope ) can give you 80 feet of relatively sturdy cordage from carrying only 10 feet ?
 
It is strong, compact, versatile (you can separate out the inner strands), and quite inexpensive. I keep 100ft in my pack - cost me $6 and takes up as much room as your fist.
 
There are some musts if you want to call yourself a geardo. :)
A "tactical" flashligt with the latest LED technology that uses obscure batteries that cost about a month salary for a pakistani to replace.
A knife made from some rare material that cost about the years income for a village in Tchad.
Any kind of accessory made of Paracord.
At least three things labelled Maxpedition (or if in Sweden, Taiga).

So paracord is not a piece of equipment, it is a lifestyle, like people walking around in shoes with the same logo as humongous construction equipment. :)
 
Rich_S said:
It is strong, compact, versatile (you can separate out the inner strands), and quite inexpensive. I keep 100ft in my pack - cost me $6 and takes up as much room as your fist.
Click to expand...

Rich hit it, It is more versatile and stronger than most other cords. You also get more bang for your buck.

Right out of the bag you have really strong thicker cordage. Then you have 5-8 thin inner strands that can be used for all sorts of little things like sewing or tying small stuff.

That said, I have all kinds of cords hemp, jute, dental floss etc.
 
I wouldn't put rope/cordage in the top-most priority "must have" list. I'd limit that list to things like basic shelter, first aid, fire starting (lighter, sparker, tinder), signaling (whistle, mirror), knife, ...

In my view, the cordage would go on the next priority of gear that is real good to have that might also include water purification, metal cup, saw, food, ...
 
Have any of you tried artificial sinew? It is more portable, very user friendly, cheap and versitile. It can be gotten in a variety of strengths and lengths up to 150 yards.
 
I've carried paracord/550 cord since my military days. I've never separated the inner strands for anything and I've never used it for anything that exceeded more than perhaps 1/4 of it's carrying capability. 3mm accessory cord is smaller and more than strong enough. Jute twine is more useful when camping because you can leave it to rot. It's a pretty good firestarter too. I also carry some 60lb fishing line which is strong enough for most uses.

Paracord certainly isn't a must have. But it works for sure.
 
nodh said:
There are some musts if you want to call yourself a geardo. :)
A "tactical" flashligt with the latest LED technology that uses obscure batteries that cost about a month salary for a pakistani to replace.
A knife made from some rare material that cost about the years income for a village in Tchad.
Any kind of accessory made of Paracord.
At least three things labelled Maxpedition (or if in Sweden, Taiga).

So paracord is not a piece of equipment, it is a lifestyle, like people walking around in shoes with the same logo as humongous construction equipment. :)
Click to expand...

now that's a good post.

i don't think it's a critical item. it's good stuff, i have the room, and i always have extra from making people lanyards so i keep a few feet of it around. for regular chores, i use twine. in survival, i'd rather have the good stuff.
 
I think the main thing is to carry *some* sort of cordage. I carry paracord in my daypacks and my truck because it's cheap and sturdy. I carry a bit of nylon braided twine in my pocket and belt pack.

My guess is people recommend it for its utility and low cost.
 
relative to other cordage, i don't think it's all that cheap. for we who spend $500 on a knife, $6 is not much for 100ft. may not be the case if you think think of it as lbs bearing/$ rather than ft/$.
 
nodh said:
There are some musts if you want to call yourself a geardo. :)
A "tactical" flashligt with the latest LED technology that uses obscure batteries that cost about a month salary for a pakistani to replace.
A knife made from some rare material that cost about the years income for a village in Tchad.
Any kind of accessory made of Paracord.
At least three things labelled Maxpedition (or if in Sweden, Taiga).

So paracord is not a piece of equipment, it is a lifestyle, like people walking around in shoes with the same logo as humongous construction equipment. :)
Click to expand...

Don't forget... you MUST carry at least 3 knives--two of which must be fixed blades and all of which cost at least $500 each, or you couldn't possibly survive for a night.
 
i think the cost of shipping the stuff is what's getting me. Price looked good at 14 bucks for 300 feet on a spool...but the shipping is 11 or 12 bucks...26 skins is a bit too steep for me. It seems to be that way everywhere I've looked. Then again, most of the places I've looked are just about all on the other side of the country from me. So I guess I'm stuck with nylon and jute and spiderline polyfilament and dental floss for now. Ah well...one of these days, perhaps.
 
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