Paracord

gregncat

gregncat

Joined
Sep 7, 2010
Messages
205
I'm looking to buy some Paracord, But I've got no idea what's good quality, and by what manufacturer. I don't want to shell out $10 for 1000ft on eBay and find out it's not worth a dime. Know what I mean? If it dosn't do what I want it to do, then it's not worth anything. I only need it for bushwacking. Building shelter, hanging food from trees Etc. Etc. But it needs to function in a cold Canadian winter.

Any direction/information would be helpfull.:D
 
As long as it is 7 (or even 8 strand) strand Mil Spec that is what you want. The prices range from 5 cents/foot to 15 cents/foot.
Look for online retailers that provide details on what you are buying. call them and ask questions if it makes you feel better. If you end up buying something and it turns out to not be what you want, you can always return it. It does not merit losing sleep over $10, now if it was $100 then I'd be concerned..
 
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See there you go, I had no idea about strands or specs. Thanx

But I totally see your point! I'm not going to be upset over $10.
But when you've been humpin through the bush all day and you can't set up camp cuz your cord keeps breaking? 20 feet of usable paracord would be almost worth it's weight in gold. (especally if it's raining) Know what I mean?

Thanx for the help, I'll look for some good cord online
 
Id like to know where you eventually order from. Being a fellow canuck our sources are limited, please share when you figure it out.
 
HardTripper said:
Id like to know where you eventually order from. Being a fellow canuck our sources are limited, please share when you figure it out.
Click to expand...

Just go to ebay.ca and search "Paracord"
Got 100 feet 7 strand 550 type 3 for $11 delivered
 
I understand the need for good cord for emergency use, and I agree a small 20' scrap is worth more than 1000' cheapo cord. Try checking out a local hiking or mountaneering store in your area. Find out what the brand of the 7 strand cord they use is, and search for that name online. That is if the store itself is not reasonably priced.

Try a google search for "7 strand paracord", the click on the "Shopping" tab at hte top
left. It will list some retailers in your area or that sell online. You could also try shopping on the worlds largest auction site for colors and styles (5 strand, 7 strand, 8 strand). Countycomm also has some good stuff, not sure if they ship to America's Baseball cap though.
 
Make friends with a supply sergeant and have him hook you up with one of their 1000" rolls
 
where abouts in ontario are you? I buy it at 2 places locally.

This is the stuff I get:
550 7 strand type 3
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I get all mine from knivesshipfree.com really great site, $5 shipping to Canada and they have lots of great stuff. I love the blaze orange for lanyards on my hunting knives :)

MTguy: Where do you get locally? I'v been looking for a while.
 
Cheaper thandirt .com has 1000 feet spool for 40 bucks and its good stuff seven strand but they only have a few colors
 
Ah the two places i've got it from were in peterborough and oshawa. Army surplus store in peterborough is cheaper being $6.40 for 50ft and $11.70 for 100ft, but the last time I went they only had OD and woodland. I believe they had some 600ft rolls of OD but I don't remember the price. Kind of expensive compared to some online sources though.
 
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A company called Best Glide sells actual mil spec paracord at decent prices
No affiliation just a satisfied customer
 
Paracord (or paraline as it is often sold) comes in different breaking strengths. True 55O cord also comes in different types. Mil-spec comes in 6 varieties, ranging from 95 lbs breaking strength to 750 lbs breaking strength. The more easily found civillian versions of this come in a couple types as well. 550 cord can only be deemed "mil-spec" if it is quality control checked every 20 feet I believe, whereas the civilian stuff is checked every 100 feet or so. Same stuff, different certification process.
550 cord is by far the most popular, and has an outer sheath with a breaking strength alone of 330 lbs. Each inner strand being around 33lb breaking strength. The other commonly available paraline is 650 cord, which actually has a breaking strength of around 450 lbs. It is made up of 4 strands, usually fuzzier and more yarn-like than the 550 strands.
Either of these types is usually more than enough for camping purposes, and I wouldn't be too worried about getting "bad paracord". Unless you're lifting vital equipment or people with it, just the gutted sheath alone is going to be able to handle most stuff.
Hope you get a good batch in your order, and have fun playing with it. It's like duct tape for me, I use it for everything.
 
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