Why Paracord?

K

k-spar

Joined
Jun 8, 2007
Messages
256
I read in an old thread that paracord is the rope of choice, and everyone here seems to pack it. Someone said something about a lot of evidence and reasons for it being preferred, but didn't offer any links or anything. I'm just wondering why it's so great?
 
strength, weight, color options, carrying options.... just a couple, im sure many others will chime in
 
I think that paracord has many useful functions that some other ropes don't. Its thin and has a lot of strength. Its easy to tie and untie and its not braided which means it wont really fray.
 
All of the above are my reasons. But my main reason for using it is because it is easier to tie and hold knots and does not fray.
 
Becuase of its construction. Maybe use it as a whole for higher strenght stuff, or the sheath for lighter lashings, or the inner core string for fishline. Stuff like that. :) Lots of options.
 
10 ft. = 80 ft., VERY stout when whole, and plenty strong when divided. Holds a knot well, and is good for darn near everything cordage related.
My question would be, what is its equal in weight, strength, knot & handling quality, and overall versatility?
 
I have been having trouble finding any paracord locally ever since our Galyan's were changed to Dick's sporting goods. Dick's seems to carry a lot less equipment. So I have been using orange boating cord. It is smaller in diameter then paracord, but not by much and is very strong. Works just as well.
 
razcob said:
I carry it, but I find long lengths easy to tangle.
Click to expand...

Try this: take two short sticks, maybe 3/8" in diameter and make an 'X' shape. Wind the paracord around these. The sticks do not need to be tied together and when you are removing cord the 'X-stick ball' of cord will flop around on the ground but will not roll away, unwinding all the cord or tangling up into a big mess.

thisone-1.jpg


Doc
 
That x stick method looks good, I'll try it. I usually daisy chain the whole thing, but it sucks when you want to just cut off a few feet.
 
Real men use paracord :cool:

It is strong, it knots well, and it can be broken down into eight lengths of cord by taking out the innards, it is relatively inexpensive, comes in colors and, IMHO, it looks cool too.
 
cgusek111 said:
I have been having trouble finding any paracord locally ever since our Galyan's were changed to Dick's sporting goods. Dick's seems to carry a lot less equipment. So I have been using orange boating cord. It is smaller in diameter then paracord, but not by much and is very strong. Works just as well.
Click to expand...

Man, I HATED it when Dicks bought out Galyan's! I loved that place! I don't think the stuff that Galyan's carried was real 550 cord anyway though. I have a bundle that I'm pretty sure that I got there and it only has 2 other strands inside instead of 7, and those 2 are kind of loosely twisted and fuzzy, unlike the pictures I've seen of the real stuff. I haven't been able to find the real stuff locally, even at the surplus store. I think I'm going to order a bundle of orange and a bundle of black sometime in the near future.
 
beckerhead said:
10 ft. = 80 ft., VERY stout when whole, and plenty strong when divided. Holds a knot well, and is good for darn near everything cordage related.
My question would be, what is its equal in weight, strength, knot & handling quality, and overall versatility?
Click to expand...

Dyneema!http://http://www.dsm.com/en_US/html/hpf/dozens_of_reasons.htm

although 500 test pound paracord beats it in price and maybe knot strength, I have a couple climbing slings made from dyneema and its said that some knots slip, like a double fishermans may need to be a triple with a backup/stopper to prevent slipping, but that's if your hanging for your life on it, not securing a shelter...cool stuff tho
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top