-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is available! Price is $250 ea (shipped within CONUS).
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/
Paracord: must have, can't do without item?
- Thread starter shawn79
- Start date
Have you tried your local army and navy store
mymindisamob
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Feb 1, 2005
- Messages
- 15,217
We don't have any of those. Closest surplus shop I can find is in Virginia, about an hour and a half of driving.
It ain't that I can't do without the stuff, but if it's as handy as most of these folks're singing the praises of I'd sure like to lay hold of some. But, like I said, it won't break my heart the first bit to not have it. The stuff I've got now has NEVER let me down. I'm thinking I'll probably just forget about it until next Christmas or Birthday and then throw hints like a wildman!
Thanks guys...appreciate the help.
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2006
- Messages
- 140
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.
Exactly what I wanted to say:thumbup: Great post from Nodh!!
...otherwise I think that paracord is so popular becouse you can choose between many colours, combine them in your lanyards ...you are always dealing with the same type of cord so the knots are working better than if you had two diferent types ...
mymindisamob
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Feb 1, 2005
- Messages
- 15,217
You don't have to have it, but it is nice stuff. I just envy all you he-men that only need braided chest hair and a sharp rock.
- Joined
- Mar 18, 2006
- Messages
- 520
Anyone looking for a smaller alternative should look at mason's line. It's braided nylon, not twisted like regular nylon string so it's much stronger. One advantage over para is that it readily stretches, good for binding small items very tightly.
For example: tie one end to a post then wind it onto the hatchet handle near the head and hold about a couple of pounds pressure as it's wound on as far as you want. Serve it under at the end. It makes the handle resistant to damage. Do it on a knife handle and it doesn't increase the diameter as much as para. Comes in Hot Pink too or yellow or white. Good stuff.Regards, ss.
For example: tie one end to a post then wind it onto the hatchet handle near the head and hold about a couple of pounds pressure as it's wound on as far as you want. Serve it under at the end. It makes the handle resistant to damage. Do it on a knife handle and it doesn't increase the diameter as much as para. Comes in Hot Pink too
or yellow or white. Good stuff.Regards, ss.para cord is great for lanyards, knife handles etc. but not as usefull as jute or sisal twine for hunting because 1. Its alot more expensive, when you use it to hang deer upside down for skining it gets all bloody and greasy and its too much trouble to clean so you ditch it. also when you do "fun camping" and use it to build shelters, you wast alot of time removing it. with jute, you can leave it for some little kids to play in. 2. you have to carry a lighter to burn the ends and unless you smoke or use a lighter for campfires it becomes all scraggly and unraveled. besides that its inconvenient to keep lighting the end. There are also alot of advantages to paracord, I love the stuff. all im saying is that its probably better to carry jute or sisal.
I have checked some "survival" books (swedish military, swedish civilian and some translated to Swedish) and they all mention some type of paracord. The swedish does mention it because it is good but it is not THE cord. Paracord is not that common in Sweden, and it cost about 3-4 times as much as in the US, blue bale string is more common here.
Ebbtide
Gold Member
- Joined
- Aug 20, 1999
- Messages
- 8,011
I'm not a fan of paracord.
Everytime I needed it the shock absorbing stretch factor worked against me.
I'll take cordage that doesn't stretch any day.
Like this bit from EMS
I also keep all of my old bootlaces, there are a bunch in each pack.
Much handier for tying down tarp ends and such, especially when you don't want to cut your one long cord.
Everytime I needed it the shock absorbing stretch factor worked against me.
I'll take cordage that doesn't stretch any day.
Like this bit from EMS
I also keep all of my old bootlaces, there are a bunch in each pack.
Much handier for tying down tarp ends and such, especially when you don't want to cut your one long cord.
featured are zip ties, wire ties, yellow para cord, red duct tape, but the sisal twine is the one i rely on. for backup in my coat is another section of od paracord and plastic twine, plus there's the wrap from the ranger handle. i also have the navy paracord wrap on my mora sheath.
- Joined
- Feb 25, 2007
- Messages
- 934
As far as cordage is concerned. I think 550 cord is the most bang for the $$$. It is very versatile. In my kit, BOB, PSK.. I also carry Spiderwire, it's very tough stuff.
Also being a duck hunter I carry tarred line in my kits. If you have never seen it you should take a look. It is actually soaked in a pine tar resin. Makes awesome tinder and is strong as well. It was used for ship rigging in the past.
Also being a duck hunter I carry tarred line in my kits. If you have never seen it you should take a look. It is actually soaked in a pine tar resin. Makes awesome tinder and is strong as well. It was used for ship rigging in the past.
- Joined
- Feb 28, 2007
- Messages
- 9,786
(K)not essential, but really versatile. I like to also include some of the basic reflective guy-line cordage because of its compactness and because I have so much of it, I don`t really worry about cutting it for tying things likes tarps and poles etc.
I definately think it is handy to have and have included in my kit once I found a source. I wouldn`t sweat not having it. Just one of those items that you keep an eye out for and when you find some you just buy it out of hand. Cabellas stocks 550 as well as other major outdoor chains. Next time you place an order for something else just include a couple of 100' packs in your order.
I definately think it is handy to have and have included in my kit once I found a source. I wouldn`t sweat not having it. Just one of those items that you keep an eye out for and when you find some you just buy it out of hand. Cabellas stocks 550 as well as other major outdoor chains. Next time you place an order for something else just include a couple of 100' packs in your order.
- Joined
- Dec 29, 2007
- Messages
- 1,990
I carry less cord once I learned how to make it myself in the bush. But, I still carry at least 10 feet.
where do you buy yours at, Smith & Edwards? I grew up in Logan and couldn't pass S&E without going in for a look, at least their old store!
Regards,
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2007
- Messages
- 664
I find paracord somewhat difficult to untie. I guess this can be a good or bad thing depending on the situation.