Whipping twine for survival?

[FoxholeAtheist]

One of the things I've seen mentioned several times is that twine/cordage is an awful damn handy thing to have in a survival situation. Many people suggest that the inner cords of 550 cord are a good solution, but what about whipping twine? For those of you that aren't familiar, "whipping" is when you wrap the end of a piece of rope in small twine to keep it from fraying in use. (You have to do this with natural cord, though with synthetics most people just use a lighter to melt it...also known as "butane whipping") Whipping twine is waxed so that it keeps a knot well and is also more weather-resistant as water can't soak into it. Having tried to tie things with small diameter nylon twine (like in 550) I know this stuff is a pain in the ass to tie with since it's kind of limp and very slippery. On the othe hand, I've used waxed polyester twine and it's VERY nice to tie with.

Marlow makes 4 different sizes #2 (20lb break), #4 (40lb), #8, and #16 (150lb) in a variety of colors (if that matters to you.) Marine suppliers (like West Marine) also usually have some other types of waxed cordage in addition to whipping twine.

Source...

http://ca.binnacle.com/online/Dept.asp?dept_id=9160

 

[tknife]

Looks like it would work pretty good. Thin and strong line can be used for so many things. Another cheap alternative is waxed dental floss. If you pop the spool out of the big plastic case, it's a nice and compact little package. It's really strong too. Try breaking it in your hands, and it'll probably cut into you pretty good before breaking! The wax seems to help it hold a knot like glue too.

 

[Thomas Linton]

Waxed dental floss is GREAT stuff - strong enough to tie the frame for a brush shelter together. Add a needle with a big enough eye, and it'll fix a hole in a tent/pack/pants.

 

[mooseman]

I have used waxed whipping twine as utility cord since my days in the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets. It is great for whipping, and as a very heavy thread ( I have used it to sew many "sailmakers sheaths" from heavy canvas). It is VERY strong for its weight. About its only drawback is trying to find it.