View Full Version : Para cord?
rapidboy
22-07-2004, 23:20
Does genuine para cord have 6 or 7 inner strands?
RB
ANDYLASER
22-07-2004, 23:36
Does genuine para cord have 6 or 7 inner strands?
RB
550 Cord has 7 strands. The Blackhawk cord from ODS has 9 strands.
:super: And it's llllllllllluuuuuuuuuuuuuuuvvvv vvvvverly :super:
but don't let Joe know i said so .. he thinks i have a fetish :naughty:
rapidboy
23-07-2004, 00:09
Ebay seller told me US 550 was 7 and UK was 6.
What's Joe's 9 strand ? Military issue ?
Ebay seller told me US 550 was 7 and UK was 6.
What's Joe's 9 strand ? Military issue ?
I think this 7 strand thing is myth ... the military (US military in particular) use several different contractors for the same item. I think the specification for paracord is more likely to specify a breaking strain, abrasion resistance, diameter and minimum internal strands.
As long as it's strong and doesn't fray all over the place (which the cheap stuff does) I'm happy!
ANDYLASER
23-07-2004, 00:17
Joes paracord is made by blackhawk industries, an American company that supply special forces equipment. Cost is about £10 for 100 foot. Quality is excellent. I have black & green. Joe also has tan coloured as well.
Jack and Jamie at www.woodlandorganics.com also sell genuine Blackhawk paracord.
Keith_Beef
23-07-2004, 10:21
:super: And it's llllllllllluuuuuuuuuuuuuuuvvvv vvvvverly :super:
but don't let Joe know i said so .. he thinks i have a fetish :naughty:
I got some from him, too.
There was a short piece of transparent heat-shrunk (I suppose) sleeve (I think the correct term is 'aglet') on each end of the 100' skein.
I could get some electrician's insulating heat-shrinkable sheath, but is there a better way of finishing the end of paracord?
(if I cut it, that is...)
Keith.
(if I cut it, that is...)
DON'T CUT IT!!!!
:lol: Calm down Boaty ... it's only a commercial :lol: .. cut it with a hot knife .. but not a good one :-P
If I make something that I want to make sure doesn't fray I heat seal the end and then whip it with a length of spiderline fishing line ... seems to do the trick ... that is, if I get around to cutting the paracord!!! :o): :shock: :rolmao:
Cut it by slicing down through it onto a chopping board - it frays less that way than just looping it over the blade. Then just melt the end with a windmill lighter or blue flame torch, failing that, the gas ring. With wet fingers you can taper the end before it sets if you want to.
I find a blue flame torch is so precise I can tie a cord loop using a double fishermans knot, cut the ends as close to the knot as I can get, and melt them flush without damaging the knot or rest of the cord. Neat when you're doing lanyards and stuff.
BTW heat shrink tube is OK but it never lasts long, always pulls off unless you get the version that is adhesive lined as well.
Cheers
gurushaun
23-07-2004, 15:35
The stuff with 7 or 9 strands tends to have mure b*Body* to it as the strand don't tend to move inside the sheath so much (try arranging 7 or 9 10p pieces as opposed to six and you'll see what I mean).
Cheers
Shaun
Keith_Beef
23-07-2004, 15:51
:lol: Calm down Boaty ... it's only a commercial :lol: .. cut it with a hot knife .. but not a good one :-P
I knew I could find a good reason for a hot knife :wink: ;)
Keith.
I always tightly tape paracord with masking tape then cut it on a board through the tape middle. Gently flame the ends and then remove tape. No fray and no big flaming blobs.
I knew I could find a good reason for a hot knife :wink: ;)
Keith.
:rolmao: :naughty: :rolmao:
Keith_Beef
23-07-2004, 21:00
I always tightly tape paracord with masking tape then cut it on a board through the tape middle. Gently flame the ends and then remove tape. No fray and no big flaming blobs.
Well, I cut off a small length to use for something or other...
I used my pistol-shaped soldering gun.
It's one of those with a wire loop that fits to two tubes pointing out the front. The idea is that you can replace the thickish soldering loop with a loop of 16 SWG wire for cutting polystyrene and plastic... or paracord.
It seems to be just the right temperature, too, because I got a very good finish, and no dripping blobs of Greek Fire.
Keith.
Yeah, nothing beats that paracord greek fire! :bu:
I generally just heat up a stanley knife blade and use that ...