Paracord wrapped handles.

G

GREENJACKET

Joined
Feb 23, 2000
Messages
1,363
Tell me something good about paracord for handle material.

I can't think of one good reason for it. If I want some string I'll carry some in my pocket.

Educate me.
 
Greenjacket,

I use to feel the same way about cord-wrapped handles.....that is until I bought a custom, machette with them. The cord wrapped handle is much, more comfortable on my hands than ANY other handle material!
Now, I have even ordered a utility knife with the same handle material.
Also, a properly wrapped cord handle looks very cool! Just my 2 cents.
 
Stiletto Raggio!
Thanks for the enthusiastic endorsment
smile.gif


GREENJACKET
You will have to try it for yourself...

The traditional japanese wrap has a lot of grip, keeps cool and can be replaced to keep it's good looks...

We use a 1/8 poly cord, soaked with a good quality penetrating epoxy...

Take a look here:
http://www.runningdogknife.bigstep.com/item.jhtml?UCIDs=354455%7C354458&PRID=95882

Our cordwrapped knives can be refinished to look like new...A good choice for a using knife, comfortable, lots of grip, lightweight...Cost less than carbon fiber or snakewood...


RE: Using the cord from your knife to make a spear or snare...

I think it's a bad idea to take the handles off of your primary tool...I suggest carrying extra cord as well
smile.gif


Running Dog

------------------
Running Dog Knife Company
mmurphy@premier1.net

www.runningdogknife.bigstep.com
 
I wanted something on a Livesay Woo to add just a touch of "meat" to it, but as it's a neck knife, I didn't want bulk.

I took the nylon threads out of the center and wrapped the handle in the remaining tubing.

Picture with an NRG that has regular Paracord wrapping.

John
 
Larry in NY. What's the grip like when wet? Do you live in a dry part of the USA?

To me they take forever to dry out, and they have more "swidgey give" than kraton (? Cold Steel handle material). They also do not bulk out enough a full tang to fill the hand. When twisting a blade they can turn. When gunked up after a gutting setion they are a devil to clean.

Running Dog. A lot of thought has gone into your knives. I like them very much. You use a better quality cord and the wrap is very neat. OK. I agree they look cool, and I would not argue with the historic arguement that they do provide grip and function as found on swords and such like.
But is the added maintenance worth it? Do you provide your knives with a few meters of spare cord? I know that your corded wrapped knives are an option and that you provide some lovely alternative materials. How far would you go to endorse cord rapped over your other materials?

For a user knife, nobody yet has convinced me of any real merrit. I'm here to be proved wrong.
 
Green...

There is nothing to prove..

You either like cord wrapping or you don't...
It's a matter of taste.

I recently cord wrapped a CRKT Stiff Kiss which was next to useless without it. It's improved the knife 100% and now I enjoy using it..

Cord Wrapping has some merit, although I wouldn't want it on all of my knives it's ok on some...

ttyle Eric...

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Eric E. Noeldechen
On/Scene Tactical
http://www.mnsi.net/~nbtnoel
Custom,Quality, Concealex Sheaths.

Leading The Way In Synthetic Sheathing.
 
Good morning GREENJACKET:

Running Dog. A lot of thought has gone into your knives. I like them very much.

Thank you...


You use a better quality cord and the wrap is very neat. OK. I agree they look cool, and I would not argue with the historic arguement that they do provide grip and function as found on swords and such like.
But is the added maintenance worth it? Do you provide your knives with a few meters of spare cord?

I could...I would if you asked nice
smile.gif


I consider our wrap to be semi-permanent...It can be removed and replaced but should last many years...


I know that your corded wrapped knives are an option and that you provide some lovely alternative materials. How far would you go to endorse cord rapped over your other materials?

I have cordwrap on my shop knife that I use everyday...I find it to be very comfortable...It may not reach the level of g-10 or micarta, but it has a great grip and works well...

You may have only seen bad cordwraps in your time...Our cordwrap doesn't twist or move about, it's locked into the knife by design...

We do a double wrap that is quite filling in the hand, so that's not a problem...Works really good when wet, better than smooth polished handles of wood...I live in the Pacific NW...We get our share of wet hunting weather around here...

The penetrating epoxy keeps the cord from taking up water without being hard and the poly doesn't fray like cotton wrap (although that cool looking too...)

I think the one place I don't really want to use the diamond cordwrap is inside a deer, just because of a chance that you will not be able to clean it out right away...You could always go with a flat wrap this is easier to clean...But with the epoxy soak, they really don't get gunk inside the cords...

Remember, we don't have as many hunters out there as we used to...I will make you a skinner out of a plain bar of steel with no handles if you are worried about contamination...This can be a problem on regular knives with scales and guards...

You need a Talonite camp skinner, methinks...
smile.gif


Like Normark says...It's not for everyone or for every knife...But if you want something lightweight and a little different than what your buddy has, it's a real option...And many of us in the real world use it everyday...

Hope that this has been of some help...If you would like I can show you how we do our wrap...Maybe you could do up an old knife of your own and try it for yourself...

Running Dog

------------------
Running Dog Knife Company
mmurphy@premier1.net

www.runningdogknife.bigstep.com
 
I actually prefer a cord wrap handle over
any handle material. It is a comfortable
grip, can be replaced if dirty,frayed,or has
blood on it,etc. Plus it looks cool!

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"ALWAYS WATCH YOUR SIX"
 
Preaching to the choir I suppose- But check the cord wrap on Strider knives. Superb.
Wasn't there a tutorial avaliable for this wrap somewhere?

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Runs With Scissors
AKTI# A000107


[This message has been edited by Rugger (edited 06-29-2000).]
 
I, too, have wrapped my CRKT Stiff KISS knife with the paracord that came in the "kit" with the knife, and it IS an improvement over the "feel" of the naked knife, without adding too much bulk.
smile.gif
.

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Dann Fassnacht
Aberdeen, WA
glockman99@hotmail.com
ICQ# 53675663

[This message has been edited by glockman99 (edited 06-29-2000).]
 
Greenjacket,

A properly cord-wrapped handle will, at all times, be more "grippy" than any other handle material out there.

It isn't about wrapping the handle so you can take some extra paracord with you. That's just an extra benefit. If you need paracord while you're out camping, hiking, or whatever, you can use the wrap on the handle while still having a useable knife.

I'll have to agree with Rugger. Check http://www.striderknives.com and see how Mick and Duane cord-wrap their handles. Heck, shoot them a quick e-mail at striderguys@striderknives.com and ask them for an honest opinion about cord-wrap. Mick even taught me how to do the Strider Knives cord-wrap. Now every tool in my house is sporting cord-wrap.

Of course, I'm a disturbed individual.
smile.gif




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Brian_T
brianthornburg@home.com
 
i like paracord wrapped handles, especially on a knife like the stiff kiss hehe

anyway, do you guys have any problem with the handle rusting on knives like the stiff kiss if the paracord gets wet? do i need to take off the paracord and let it dry off or just leave it on the knife and let the water evaporate

daniel
 
I have two Strider blades on loan, both with cord wrapped handles. With or without water there is no slip on a maximum force stab. The only grip surface that comes close to the same level of security is the checkered steel grip on the Project from Reeves.

-Cliff
 
Running Dog. My aversion to cord wrapped handles is starting to crack. You even have me going on the idea of one of your Gambler's in Talonite for a sailing knife. That if I get to the States this year (by plane).

CRKT's have recently flooded the UK. I have not worked with one, but the ones I have handled have not moved me.

Cliff Stamp. You praise the cord wrap of the Stricker knives highly indeed. A Chris Reeve Project has been my soldiering knife for years. The Striker knives are in the high $$$ league. Does the cord do justice at this level, especially at the work load that these knives are targeted at? Can the higher maintenance be warranted when other materials are available? I'm looking forward to your findings.

Yes, I do need a leason in tying/wrapping, especially in keeping the right tension and finishing.
 
Greenjacket :

Can the higher maintenance be warranted when other materials are available?
Click to expand...

I have noticed no wear on the Striders and have seen wear on Kraton and similar in similar periods of time. Of course G10 and Micarta will not wear either, but they are not as secure. Busse has a new checkering pattern though which might be strong in this regard.

The cleaning if covered in blood or just sap is the only large drawback I can see in regards to a good wrap like the Strider guys do. Comfort is another drawback - but that doesn't matter to a lot of people, if the Project doesn't bother you the Strider's won't.

I don't want to mess up Brian's WB cord too bad but will do soap and oil tests on the other WB and see if it is possible to get it out without removing the cord. After that the next time I am cooking steaks or similar I'll run in the blood and fat and see how the security is effected and how it can be removed.

-Cliff
 
I also have the ol StiffKiss with cord wrap. I coated the tang with Crazy glue before I wrapped it,it`s very secure and fine for a hideout knife. I don`t care for the flat feeling on larger knives but I have 2 knives with cord wrap that do away with that. One is a EDMF TrenchBowie with paracord wrap over a cast aluminum alloy grip. It`s comfy and really takes the shock out of chopping hard woods and the like. The other is a Crisswell Barracuda2. It has a Strider-like cord wrap over G10 scales that are notched to hold the cord along the spine. This grip is super secure and quite comfortable. Yes,it`s a pain to clean blood and fat out of but as long as I try not to get it too filthy it cleans up okay with soap and water. I wouldn`t want cord wrap on a skinning or hunting knife but in it`s place I really like it. Marcus
 
Hello GREENJACKET:

Try it, you'll like it as we say here in the Colonies...

I went to the Strider site and I think we are doing very much the same wrap with different cord and attachment details...

If you look carefully at some pictures of the knives you should be able to figure it out...Best way really is to get about 6-7 feet of cord and on old knife and just sit down with it for awhile...

Running Dog

------------------
Running Dog Knife Company
mmurphy@premier1.net

www.runningdogknife.bigstep.com
 
Originally posted by GREENJACKET:
Running Dog. My aversion to cord wrapped handles is starting to crack. You even have me going on the idea of one of your Gambler's in Talonite for a sailing knife.
Click to expand...

Mike, you do the Gambler in <u>Talonite</u>!!!??

Homina homina hooo-WA!

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iktomi
 
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