Survival Tarp

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pikey30

Joined
Sep 9, 2004
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I'm looking for a large piece of nylon, thick silicon impregnated nylon, or some other lightweight, tuff, water proof material that I could make a survival tarp out of. Does anybody know where I might be able to find one? While I'm here I have also been looking for some good references on natural camouflaging techniques and scent hiding. What is the best twine or string to buy for cordage? Also, since this is a knife forum I wanted to say I just got my Northstar and it has quickly become my favorite blade, my VTAC handles most of the chopping (these two will be paired together for a while until I can afford a Linger WSK). Thanks in advance for any help.
 
If you aren't looking to use natural material for cordage, parachute shroud line is a pretty good way to go. I carry both 7 strand or 4 strand 550# line in my various kits, coats and vehicles. If you wanted to use twine, I've heard that Jute (?) is the way to go, but I've never used it.

I like the NorthStar too. Great little knife for outdoors work.
 
For what it's worth, I use 550 and Jute. Jute is Cheap, light, and easy to disasemble for some GREAT firestarting material.
Mike

I am SOOO tempted to get a Northstar, but I want to hold one in my hand before I buy, and no one that I know of carries them here in San Diego.
 
I've noticed that the handle design makes power cutting a bit of a chore, but overall I really like the performance of the NorthStar. Now if I could receive the new sheath so I can carry the blade, I'd be real happy. :D
 
lumpymike1 said:
For what it's worth, I use 550 and Jute. Jute is Cheap, light, and easy to disasemble for some GREAT firestarting material.
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That's exactly what my instructor, Bob Collins, said in my course on "Wilderness Survival: The Skill the Survive." He runs Earth Star Wilderness Survival Classes. We used Jute during our firestarting class to help get our fires going. Carry a small coil of it with you. You won't regret it.
 
Aside from weight, what advantages does a silnylon tarp offer over a cheesy $20 nylon tarp? I'm considering one for my BoB.

So far, I've been able to find that they're 3-4x more then cheesy nylon tarps.. and if the only advantage is weight, I think I'll opt out.
 
what advantages does a silnylon tarp offer over a cheesy $20 nylon tarp?
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Well, since I've only read about syl-nylon tarp, but have never actually used any, take this with a grain of salt :footinmou But, from what I've read, sil-nylon has awesome tensile strength. as in, can't-tear-it-apart-with-your-bare-hands strength. It is also much less bulky than regular tarp, saving a lot of space. However, it's just as prone to melting as regular tarp. In a nutshell, it's more packable, lighter, and stronger; as you noted, it's also a lot more expensive.

For cordage, I love 550 cord. It's the stuff used to hold paratroopers to their chute. If you do opt for 550 cord/paracord (same object, different names), make sure you get actual mil-spec cordage. It has a tensile strength of 550 pounds when whole. It is composed of a wound/braided outer sheath that has a 200+ lbs. tensile strength and seven thin inner strands with tensile strength of 35 lbs. each. Those inner strands are actually comprised of even smaller strands... 550 cord is multi-functional, both in whole form and stripped down into its inner and outer pieces.
 
HK2001 said:
Aside from weight, what advantages does a silnylon tarp offer over a cheesy $20 nylon tarp? I'm considering one for my BoB.

So far, I've been able to find that they're 3-4x more then cheesy nylon tarps.. and if the only advantage is weight, I think I'll opt out.
Click to expand...

The lack of noise in the wind is enough for me to pay 10X what a cheapo plastic tarp is. ;) Not to mention the huge weight and MASSIVE! bulk differences.

Skam
 
I too carry 550, jute, and have a Northstar. Northstar is a great bush type knife. However, I am still waiting on the replacement sheath. I hear they are close.
 
finally a topic I can answer without even trying... tarps and material...
been working in a tarp factory since april '03.

We have those cheap 8x10 8oz ones that you'll find for $5-6, our standard tarp material(agriculture sales make up 90% of sales) is 10oz 80 weave coated nylon.
I've got a 12x25 tarp of the 1080 material in my trunk with 500lbs rope in the hem, gusset/loop every foot. Plenty of rigging options, and as long as you don't cut or punch a hole in it will keep you more than dry. The 12x25 lets me make plenty of shelter options. Only ran me 30cad with employee prices.

We sell everything from 8oz to 28oz material, mesh/canvas/nylon/pvc/neoprene.

If weight wasn't a concern, I'd take neoprene for my camp tarp. But the 18oz material(2yrdx1.15yrd per kg) adds a good deal of weight. It's "fireproof", and nearly puncure proof. The only way we can join pieces is epoxy, since the 1300deg F heatgun doesn't touch it.

If weight was a concern, 14oz material is more than enough.

inlandplastics.com , we've got 4 locations in the US, custom build any tarp that you give the stats for.
 
try walmart bargain bins. every now and again I run across 1.9oz ripstop sil nylon for a buck a yard... compare that to 5.99 and up regularly priced.

Halcon
 
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