Where did paracord handles start and why?

J

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Aug 23, 2003
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I'm curious as to who first introduced paracord handles in knives and what are the practical benefits of this kind of handle. Is it just for the aesthetics or is there a practical reason for paracord for handles? I'm guessing they're more resistant to damage from dropping and impact, and are easier to fix.
 
I don't know when they started but I like to use 'em on some of my tactical knives 'cause #1, they look great, #2, they give a great grip wether your hands are wet or dry,#3, in an extreme condition, you can unwrap the handle and have 10-12Feet of cord to tie something(or someone) up. On my webpage you'll see a good example,,, morrisknivesonline.com .
-Michael
 
I think i remember seeing them on EK knives in the 80's but then i was a youngin then.

Maybe there are others who have the historical details.
 
Roman paratroopers were without work after the truce was signed ending the Gallic wars. There was a huge surplus market in parachutes. The Arabic tent merchants bought up all the canopies to sell to the Bedouins as light weight summer tents. The para cord was left behind in the market places in the venalicium dumpsters. The local sword smiths were pretty much without work, since the supply of unfinished Gladii was huge and the demand was low. They started doing macramé with the free cord to pass the time, when Marcus Ferum hit upon the idea of wrapping the handles with the surplus cord. The idea was extremely popular and most all knives and swords had paracord handles until somewhere in the middle ages when the secret to Damascus steel and the technique for wrapping the handles in paracord were both lost. In the 1940's, British soldiers sitting in the trenches with nothing to do, re-discovered the process and wrapped the handles of their bayonets to make them more attractive and easier on the hands. The skill was quite a mark of pride for the British soldiers, and those who were suffering from battle fatigue and shell shock, and thus unable to maintain their grip while tying the cord,were often referred to as, "Not being wrapped too tight".

Stacy


(This will probably end up in wikipedia in a week or two)
 
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Ek was the first compnay that I remeber seeing use paracord wraps. As a matter of fact, Ek paracord handles were what turned my off of the concept for all time...lol.
 
A custom knifemaker named Keith Nelson used paracord before Ek did. Early 80's. I have one if anyone would like to see a pic.
Practically, it makes for a nice cushioned grip that is naturally grooved for non-slip properties. And, if in an emergency you need a length of strong cord, just unwind it.
The downside is the possibility of corrosion under the cord. I wouldn't use it on anything but a stainless blade.
 
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