View Full Version : Paracord
Andrew Middleton
21-10-2003, 12:48
Hello, this is my first posting on this website (any website in fact).
Can anyone point me in the direction of 550 paracord? The stuff I always seem to come across is inadequate "paracord-like" nylon.
Cheers
I've got a couple of different tyupes myself, and I'm not sure which is which. I've got some very flat stuff with fluffy fibres in the middle from silvermans, but it seems cheap and not very wear resistant (it goes all hairy very quickly). I've got some other stuff which seems much better quality but it came bundled with something else.
What exactly is 550 paracord?
EDIT/ reading up, it seems that 550paracord has seven strands inside like this picture...
http://www.equipped.com/GRAPHICS/paracord-sm.jpg
This is definitely different to the stuff I got from silvermans. I too would like to know where to get it from.
Celtic Dragon
21-10-2003, 13:06
Try Attleborough Accessories at www.attacc.com they sell paracord on huge spools.
HTH
Simon
giancarlo
21-10-2003, 13:22
Had a hard time finding that on that site Simon!
this it?
Field line (http://www.attacc.com/acatalog/Attleborough_Accessories_Explo rer.html) (half way down)
only cord i could see on there.. so guess so.. looks good.
most of my paracord is the same cheap stuff which seems to fray with the smallest of use :-x
cheers
Carlo
Celtic Dragon
21-10-2003, 13:29
Aye thats the stuff. Looks like para to me. Aternativly you can find a old chute and get yourself a shelter and paracord at the same time.
Simon
Thanks, but they just seem to have something called "field line" - which I suspect, is the same fluff filled cord I got from silvermans. The thing with the pukka paracord, is that it can be gutted and the insides used for other stuff.
EDIT/ oops, seems we posted the same response while I was looking. Note to self, refresh page before replying. :)
Field line is different to paracord. It doesn't have the inner core. It is not as hard wearing as paracord but a lot cheaper, I got 100m for 12 quid. O.K for practicing with, but I wouldn't push it too far.
Andrew Middleton
21-10-2003, 15:27
Thanks for all the tips. I like the idea of getting an old chute. At least that will guarentee the cord is paracord!
Next question: anyone know where to get an old chute from?
You will have a hard time getting a chute these days, the best thing to do is call all the surplus stores you think you can get to and see what they have. At the moment the French chutes and the Cargo chutes are the only ones about, if your lucky! The other problem with them is that it is illegal to sell them with the para cord still on so it gets stripped off and the main chutes are sold. Your options are to tear the chute apart or try to buy some from somewhere else. I would go for the latter. One of the reasons that chutes are getting rare is that they are being stripped down as they are worth more as para cord and fabric.
The smaller chutes make great shelter for a small group :-D
Justin Time
21-10-2003, 21:29
The bloke at http://www.strikeforcesupplies.co.uk was saying (At the gathering) that he was intending to get paracord in by the spool. It might be worth giving him a ring.
Justin
gurushaun
22-10-2003, 00:48
Try www.paragear.com , they sell all sorts of genuine para cord up to 1000kg and above and all sorts of kevlar and spectra line. They also sell used canopies which you can spilt down into sections, so if one or two people get together they can split the cost of a 'chute. If anyone is interested I'd be glad to split postage on an order, or split a reel of 550. If they only post to the US I also have a brother who lives in Washington DC who can forward anything on.
Cheers
Shaun
I was hoping for something UK based. I hate paying through the nose for shipping, especially for something as vbasic as string.
though this looks OK...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3632007785&category=16042
ChrisKavanaugh
22-10-2003, 23:28
True paracord has a static strength of 550 lbs, 7 inner strands cased in a braided nylon sheath. As a survival item you can remove the inner strands for sewing, fishing,snares and fine lashing. There are many shoddy imitations with solid or braided 3 strand inner cores. If you use it have a care melting the ends. This stuff can readilly drip molten drops onto careless users with nasty burns resulting.
Guys - Most of the so called "paracord" I've ever found in the shops is rubbish. I suggest going to any shop that sells climbing kit and asking for accessory cord.
This is a bit nerdy but in case anyone's interested :
"Accessory cord" is normally nylon (polyamide) because it will stretch and absorb shock.
Anything 3mm and above is made "kernmantel" style - i.e the white stranded core that provides the strength, wrapped in a woven sheath that provides the wear resistance and handling.
Minimum breaking strengths are typically :
3mm = 180Kg = what I use instead of paracord.
4mm = 330Kg
5mm = 580Kg
6mm = 750Kg
7mm = 1050Kg
8mm = 1400Kg
9mm = good enough to save your neck falling off a rock face
2mm is good for putting lanyards on light stuff like whistles and compasses. It's good for 70Kg though, so it's strong enough to strangle you and too strong to snap bare handed.
Generally you buy by the metre off the roll. Watch out for the price - 40m x 2mm or 20m -30m x 3mm can sell for under a fiver, but some people mark it up pretty heavily.
Exotic spectra or dyneema cord is v dear, but gives an amazing 1800Kg tensile strength in a 5.5mm dia cord which doesn't stretch.
Cheers
I haven't tried this stuff but I noticed that SASS are selling 'paracord' at £24.50 for 100m - it doesn't say whether it is 550.
http://www.sass-kit.fsbusiness.co.uk/catalogue16/Tactical_Survival/index.htm
Look down the page a little on the right - sadly no picture.
Cheers
Steffan
Has anyone heard of a 6 inner cord variant? How is the quality?
I've round someone who gets it directly from the MOD, and he sells it on for about £16 inc. postage, per 200m.
I get good paracord from Army surplus stores (H.M. Supplies). this is the stuff with seven internal strands and is very strong. for thicker stuff (e.g the tarp ridge cord) i go to a local marina store and they have a large selection.
Hope this helps!
Ross :-D
Alick
your post beat me to it.
Accessory cord from climbing suppliers is definetly the easiest way to find good quality stuff.
If you want a choice of colours then there's generally loads to choose from.
I'm not someone who reckons that everything I use should be O.D. so I like to have a few bits of bright colours around me, I always use brightly coloured cord for guy ropes so people dont trip over them - bright lanyards help when I drop something in the leaf litter in the dark as well.
That said you can get some accessory cord in all sorts including black and camo - you might have to look hard for a supplier though
George
I think I may have found a source for the pukka stuff in the UK.
Braided With Thin Inner Cord For Use As Thread Or Fishing Trace
It's not cheap at £4 for 15 metres, but if it's the real deal it's cheaper than importing it.
http://www.the-outdoor.co.uk/ishop/853/shopscr312.html
I'll let you know if it's the 5 strand or 7 strand stuff when it arrives.
What makes you think that's the good stuff compared to any others? I've just had a quick look around and there's others that seem the same but have a 250 kilo breaking strain.
Most of it isn't the 550 cord. It's the stuff with a fibrous inner, not stranded inner. At least this stuff would appear to be stranded. I've been looking for a source of genuine 7 strand, 550 paracord for ages, yeah the breaking strain is quoted as less than 550Lbs - dunno, let you know when it arrives.
Ok. Was just curious because the description didn't seem to be anything special.
I think when someone does find a source that it'll go very quickly when announced on here!
K not sure if its the genuine stuff but I've just bought what was advertised as paracord at http://www.cotswold-outdoor.com/ for £2.50 for 15m
OK, got my paracord from http://www.the-outdoor.co.uk/ishop/853/shopscr312.html today, as a refresher, it was £4 for 15m. It says 50Lb breaking strain on the site, but the packaging says 50kg plus. True 550 paracord has a breaking strain of 550Lb hence the name. Anyway, here's a pic...
http://www.britishblades.com/pics/paracord.jpg
The stuff at the top is what arrived (5 strand), the stuff in the middle is true 550 paracord (7 strand, sourced from the US) and the stuff on the bottom is some cheapo rubbish badged as paracord from silvermans.
The cord that arrived today is way better than the cheapo silvermans rubbish, but not the quality of the true 550 cord. It will do, it's worth knowing about if all you can find is the cheap stuff. I'm still looking for a UK source for real 550 paracord though.
Does the 550 always have the denser/finer outer sheath than the 5 strand stuff? Might be an easy way to tell what type it is in the shop.
Does the 550 always have the denser/finer outer sheath than the 5 strand stuff? Might be an easy way to tell what type it is in the shop.
Good question and I think maybe it does. I've a few short lengths of 550, of varios colours (manufacturers?) that have come with bits and pieces. It all has the tighter weave on the outside, it feels quite "round" and firm, compared to the cheaper stuff (which feels a bit baggy and flat). Whether you can reliably tell what it is from that, I dunno. But this stuff that's just arrived, is the best (from the UK) I've seen to date.
bothyman
28-01-2004, 19:58
http://www.camping-supplies-uk.com/survival/bcb-handytoolswhistlescord.htm
This place claims to sell 250kg paracord anyone bought any of it from them.
I bought some stuff and it was not a bit like the older stuff I have .
The Paracord I bought a few years back was a lot thicker, but I can't remember where I bought it.
The new stuff I got looks like it is not even fit to use as a washing line.
If the bcb in the url is anything to go by it may not be what it seems,
as I think that is the same stuff mine is branded as.
Powderburn
28-01-2004, 20:45
Does the 550 always have the denser/finer outer sheath than the 5 strand stuff? Might be an easy way to tell what type it is in the shop.
Good question and I think maybe it does.
I'm not a paracord expert, but all the real stuff I've ever used has the tightly woven outer sheath as shown in Martyn's picture.
The cheap junk is quite common over here, too, so don't feel bad. :wink: I guess we are lucky that the good stuff is fairly easy to find. Just FYI, the last bit I bought a few months ago in a B&M surplus store was $.08 per foot. That should help you guys get an idea if you're paying a fair price when you run across the real deal.
Why do you gents suppose it is so hard to find real paracord on your side of the pond? So many people want it that it makes sense for smart dealers to stock it.
Hmmm intresting Gary has a british army parachute cannopy with some of the lines still attached and these lines have four inner strands and are white with short black stripes
why not forget about paracord and buy static caving rope.
9mm has a breakin strain of 23kN (2.3tonnes) and 8mm around 20kN at 80 -90p per metre.
It also is fairly uneffected by water, pretty abrasion resistant, handles and knots well. Plus you can bung it in the washing machine (on delicated of course).
At that price it might be a better option ... at least you know what you get!!! :-D
why not forget about paracord and buy static caving rope.
9mm has a breakin strain of 23kN (2.3tonnes) and 8mm around 20kN at 80 -90p per metre.
It also is fairly uneffected by water, pretty abrasion resistant, handles and knots well. Plus you can bung it in the washing machine (on delicated of course).
MartiniDave
29-01-2004, 13:39
OK, leading with my chin as usual, and trying not to appear (too) stupid. Where do you buy static caving line from?
Dave
Outdoors shops.
Inglesport (http://www.inglesport.com/srt/ropes.htm) are a good supplier of caving bits.
Up and Under (http://www.upandunder.co.uk/eshop/catalogue/testbs.asp?Manufacturer_ID=41&Activity_ID=27&Description_ID=72) are also good and are very fast on service.
Hitch and Hike (http://w01-0504.web.dircon.net/acatalog/Main_Menu_Beal_246.html) have 8mm static. I've not dealt with them online before but been to the shop and got excellent service there.
You could always try normal accessory cord which you should be able to get from most highstreet outdoors shops, such as Ellis Brigham (http://www.ellis-brigham.com) or Cotswolds (http://www.cotswold-outdoor.com/)
also try:
http://www.berniescafe.co.uk/
Very helpful and if your up that way they do a great breakfast. Fry up , pint of tea and open fire!
I've never been in Bernie's. I always go to Inglesport next door - for food and kit. Maybe I'll try it next time I'm there, esp if they have an open fire!
why not forget about paracord and buy static caving rope.
9mm has a breakin strain of 23kN (2.3tonnes) and 8mm around 20kN at 80 -90p per metre.
It also is fairly uneffected by water, pretty abrasion resistant, handles and knots well. Plus you can bung it in the washing machine (on delicated of course).
EdS, good stuff but a bit of overkill if you only want to tie out a tarp :-D
I bought a few more metres from my local place the other day - 4mm accessory cord made by mammut - a reputable rope maker - 4KN rated which is about the same as 400 Kg - 45p per metre retail. I'm checking to see if they'll let me have it any cheaper by the 150M reel. If you're not hung up on everything being green, this is THE way to be 100% certain about the quality of what you're buying.
Practically, if half a dozen people were interested in splitting a 150 M reel of 3 or 4mm, I wouldn't mind contacting a couple of importers and trying to get picky about the color.
Cheers.
bushblade
29-01-2004, 23:11
If you do a search on ebay for 3mm, 5mm, 7mm or 9mm rope you come up with the green (British Army?) utility rope.
Its not para cord, and only has one braided inner, allthough this can be stripped down if needed.
The rope is of excellent quality, its cheap and comes in 15m lengths.
Its very good for tarp lines as unlike other cord it does not pick up debris off the forest floor while putting up/taking down of your tarp.
I use the 3mm for guy lines and the 5mm for the ridge line.
I also replaced the suspension tapes on my hammock with the 5mm rope.
Hope this helps.
Just a quick heads up.
Following a pretty fruitless search for genuine 550 paracord in the UK ODS is shipping a load over, 100ft skeins in black, olive drab and desert tan. The stuff is from blackhawk industries (http://www.blackhawkindustries.com/product_detail.asp?product_id= 1053&d=) and is the real deal.
See...
http://www.britishblades.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3667
I hope Tony wont mind me posting this, he knows I have no affiliation to ODS, but the pukka stuff is so hard to come by, I thought the members would appreciate a heads up.
the sole importer and distributor of blackhawk industries in the UK is edgar brothers at:
www.edgar-brothers.co.uk
the sole importer and distributor of blackhawk industries in the UK is edgar brothers at:
www.edgar-brothers.co.uk
Not meaning to be awkward, but so what?
the sole importer and distributor of blackhawk industries in the UK is edgar brothers at:
www.edgar-brothers.co.uk
I cant find paracord on thier website. But never fear, I'm sure the paracord police will be around to slap him in irons, so we can all sleep safely! :roll: :lol: :wink:
Not meaning to be awkward, but so what?
it is all ways advisable to buy from the importer/manufacturer if you know who they are
I dont think its on there website, but they are the importers of all things blackhawk so if its sold by them they'll get hold of it for you
it does seem a little extreame to go all the way to the US to get your paracord (the US specification for paracord is different to ours anyway)
if you want real british paracord from a reliable supplier then go to:
http://www.sass-kit.fsbusiness.co.uk/
Personal Pack - 15m: £2.99
Full Reel - 100m: £24.50
Oops, I edited my post while you were quoting me Stuart, sorry.
Actually, in this instance, ODS was asked to bulk supply a number of BB members with US 550 paracord. It would seem there is a demand for it, from this thread too.
Why is it advisable to buy from edgar brothers? It seems like at lot of hassle to ask them to import some just for me, especially if someone else is happy to import some in bulk and send me some of that.
I'm not trying to be contrary, I think I'm just not getting it.
Y'know it seems to me like there's an opportunity here for an enterprising retailer. Blackhawk dont manufacture the paracord, they just re-badge it and retail it. Seems to me like someone could look for a manufacturer of genuine 550 paracord and arrange an import deal easily enough, and at a very competative price too. The bushcraft crowd certainly seem to want the US made stuff. I would think it would sell quite well. :wink:
http://www.vtarmynavy.com/parachute_cord.htm
http://www.georgia-outfitters.com/page65.shtml
http://www.1starmy.com/Secure/ecommerce/details.asp?prdn=2022
http://www.majorsurplusnsurvival.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Produc t_Code=023638&Category_Code=37
http://www.omahas.com/catalog/default.php?cPath=16_79
Stuart,
is the stuff from SASS the real deal..with inner strands n such..
Blimey..this is a lot of fuss over sum string..but i suppose its worth it. If your going to be sold 'parachord'..it might as well actually be parachord..
Cheers,
Lawrence.
All the Paracord i have had from SASS in the past have been the real stuff
they have a very good reputation so i would be very suprised if they ever sent out fake stuff
All the Paracord i have had from SASS in the past have been the real stuff
they have a very good reputation so i would be very suprised if they ever sent out fake stuff
Their pricing is a bit crazy though - it is cheaper to buy 7 personal packs (£20.93 for 105 metres) than it is to buy a full reel (£24.50 for 100 metres)!!
All the Paracord i have had from SASS in the past have been the real stuff
they have a very good reputation so i would be very suprised if they ever sent out fake stuff
Their pricing is a bit crazy though - it is cheaper to buy 7 personal packs (£20.93 for 105 metres) than it is to buy a full reel (£24.50 for 100 metres)!!
:lol: good point, No idea why though
Just to add to the comments on SASS - I've bought and used quite a lot of their kit over the years and found it fantastic; my wee brother used to live in Lancaster and reckoned they were nice people to boot :-)
(errm, no not "to boot" as in the verb... :shock: )
There's a guy on ebay selling alot of genuine cord for cheap. I normaly pay around £10ish for 100 meter spools. This is considerably cheaper. If anyone wants to buy it and distribute it, there's a modest profit to be made:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&categor y=588&item=2241459428&rd=1
All the Paracord i have had from SASS in the past have been the real stuff
they have a very good reputation so i would be very suprised if they ever sent out fake stuff
Stuart
Does it have seven inner strands? This is the genuine issue 'paracord'. There are others with six inner strands etc but this is not as strong.
I recently liberated quite a bit of parachord from an old British cargo chute... its white, and has 5 inner strands as apposed to the usual, i thought, 7...
Whats going on?- i know its real, just why less or more strands?
Cheers.
yes the SASS stuff is absolutly genuine ever time i have had some off them it is the green severn strand type
The cargo chute stuff is also genuine paracord and has 5 inner strands and is white with short black lines on it
the cargo cord is stronger i belive than the green type, but is also for a larger diameter
remember that there are differant types of genuine paracord!!!!!!
they dont you the same cord on cargo chutes as the use on personel chutes
warthog1981
14-06-2004, 19:40
yes the SASS stuff is absolutly genuine ever time i have had some off them it is the green severn strand type
The cargo chute stuff is also genuine paracord and has 5 inner strands and is white with short black lines on it
the cargo cord is stronger i belive than the green type, but is also for a larger diameter
remember that there are differant types of genuine paracord!!!!!!
they dont you the same cord on cargo chutes as the use on personel chutes
i orderd some and its only got a breaking strain of 20 kilos on the back of the packet wish hadent botherd ordering it now :-( :-( :-(
Ive sent SASS five :banghead: emails enquiring about their paracord, and they never even bothered to reply.
I've never tried e-mailing them, there always helpful on the phone though
bushman762
04-07-2005, 19:22
There's that many posts on this I'm getting confused just going through them all...could someone please tell me...did we finally find a source to get some decent paracord? and if so, could I have the details please?
Best Regards,
:confused:
Moonraker
04-07-2005, 20:19
There's that many posts on this I'm getting confused just going through them all...could someone please tell me...did we finally find a source to get some decent paracord? and if so, could I have the details please?
Best Regards,
:confused:
ExtremeOutdoor Gear - 100ft of High Quality Paracord £9.31 (http://www.extremeoutdoorgear.co.uk/100ft-high-quality-paracord-p-6470.html?osCsid=092ba8d1afb98 92ea3d2fc2f95b3f02e)
bushman762
05-07-2005, 14:03
Thanks for that!
Best Regards,
:)
ExtremeOutdoor Gear - 100ft of High Quality Paracord £9.31 (http://www.extremeoutdoorgear.co.uk/100ft-high-quality-paracord-p-6470.html?osCsid=092ba8d1afb98 92ea3d2fc2f95b3f02e)
That's the one I bought too. 550 cord marketed by Blackhawk industries in the States.
http://www.blackhawkindustries.com/product_detail.asp?product_id= 1551&d=
Joe also has a link on his site to the British Blades Forum discussion about this product so you can get a few more ideas about it.