View Full Version : Why REAL Paracord?
BorderReiver
23-07-2004, 20:19
Just curious,why the insistence on REAL paracord?
It is not being used by us as climbing rope or on a parachute.
Is there any real difference that makes any odds when holding up a tarp or any similar application?(Genuine question by the way,I don't know if there is any advantage in using the real thing) :?:
Just curious,why the insistence on REAL paracord?
It is not being used by us as climbing rope or on a parachute.
Is there any real difference that makes any odds when holding up a tarp or any similar application?(Genuine question by the way,I don't know if there is any advantage in using the real thing) :?:
Good question!
I find two big differences between good quality and poor quality (I prefer to think of it this way rather than real and fake) is that the poor quality stuff seems to unravel easily. But, worse than the fact that the cheap stuff seems to suffer ill effects from abrasion much quicker and become all furry.
The other thing is price ... there can be very little in it between the good quality cord and the poor quality stuff ... so why pay over the odds for rubbish!
In addition to the better wear resistance Adi mentions, the cheap stuff tends to have fluff in the middle, the good stuff has between 7 and 9 inner strands. The inner strands can be removed and used as cordage or fishing line or whatever, effectively turning 10 feet of paracord into 90 feet of cordage, plus 10 feet of paracord sheath which can still be used for the original purpose. The fluffy filler of the cheap stuff is useless.
When you've picked up some cheap stuff from a local camping store ...... and you've picked up some luuuuuuuverly black ... and desert tan .. ( I will be in Qatar in October ... but in a 5 star Hotel..... and not the desert :roll: ) from Joe ...... and you look at the difference ...
"Why?" ..... well you just *know* .. that's all :wink:
BorderReiver
24-07-2004, 15:39
Thanks for that. :biggthump
I now know not to buy the inferior grade cord and why.
Here are some photos of good quality vs. poor quality paracord. The good quality stuff (the tan colored cord) is from Blackhawk Industries while the poor quality stuff is from .... :tapedshut ... my lips are sealed, let's not name names here! :wink:
The first picture shows the outside of the cord. Notice that the Blackhawk stuff has a tighter weave and is thicker than the poor quality stuff.
http://www.bushcraftuk.net/photopost/data/502/2paracord1.JPG
Next is a shot of the cord when cut. The poor quality cord frays easily when cut while the good stuff holds up well.
http://www.bushcraftuk.net/photopost/data/502/2paracord2.JPG
Finally, getting to the heart of paracord. The Blackhawk Industries cord is well made with 9 separate strands inside. These strands are formed from thin cord and the lengths are made knotted together at intervals. The poor quality cord The poor quality cord (pictured bottom) doesn't contain strands as such, more of a pith of fibers that frays easily. Once again, notice how the Blackhawk paracord doesn't fray while the poor quality cord frays almost instantly.
http://www.bushcraftuk.net/photopost/data/502/2paracord3.JPG
Bottom line ... the poor quality cord is really not worth buying for anything that you want to last ... if you just want cheap cord that you are going to use once and cut up or throw away, then it will do, but if you want something that lasts, go for the good stuff.
Blackhawk Industries paracord is available from Jack and Jamie from www.woodlandorganics.com
I just wanted to add that the price difference between a 100 ft (approx 33m) shank of Blackhawk paracord and the "paracord with no name) was just over £3.
bigjackbrass
25-07-2004, 20:01
The other question would be "Why not use string?" Plenty of people do, and certainly a natural fibre twine tends to have advantages over cheap paracord in terms of price, ability to stay tied and biodegradability (for those of you not clearing up after yourselves, tut tut). If you need the strength and versatility of paracord then get the good stuff. If you just need a basic cord then I'd suggest looking at the traditional stuff instead.
The other question would be "Why not use string?" Plenty of people do, and certainly a natural fibre twine tends to have advantages over cheap paracord in terms of price, ability to stay tied and biodegradability (for those of you not clearing up after yourselves, tut tut). If you need the strength and versatility of paracord then get the good stuff. If you just need a basic cord then I'd suggest looking at the traditional stuff instead.
I fully agree with that statement bigbrassjack. I certainly don't waste paracord!
The other question would be "Why not use string?"
I do.....
I've had a 20ft length of para cord in my pack for about 4 years now and its untouched.... string (cheap coconut fibre twine from wilko's) does everything just fine..... you can also fray it to make good tinder.... and for £1 for a massive ball of the stuff you can't go wrong.
Ed
MartiniDave
26-07-2004, 09:33
Baler string! Excellent stuff. Strong, variety of colours and cheap (free for second hand bits!).
Dave
Just curious,why the insistence on REAL paracord?
I've just discovered that real paracord (thanks Jack and Jamie :wave:) is far easier to knot and braid than the cheapo stuff - here's a fob I made from a single piece of paracord and a marble:
http://boaty.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/fob.jpg
Other reasons to use the 'real' stuff. The inner of the naff stuff pokes through the sheeth far too easily (no good for cammo) and its NOT at all weather proof.
I ran out of twine so had to use paracord to tye up my grape vines.
The good stuff is still going strong after a few years (and grape vines ain't that light).:biggthump
The rubbish (high-street camping shop) stuff rotted through and dumped 45 foot of vine on my back. NOT FUN!!!!:rant:
bushblade
26-08-2004, 14:28
There is actually a lot more cordage to be had out of the 550 paracord than just the inner strands. The outer sheath is made up woven twisted fibers rather than woven bundled fibres like on other cord (this is also why it resists fraying) this means the outer sheath can also be striped down and used (makes exellent thread for sewing).
But does anybody actually strip down their paracord to use? Would you, for regular everyday bushcrafting?
Has anyone tried stripping down paracord? I have, but you can't just remove one strand at a time, say for fishing or clothing repair, try to remove one and the whole let ends up coming out.
I don't think 550 cord is suitable for the regular everyday bushcrafter, its more suited to emergency survival kit type use.
The other cord is perfectly good if you don't intend to strip it down, for hoochie guy lines and such.
I think if you're doing this stuff regular its a much easier life to just use plain old 5mm rope for ridge line (whatever half decent brand you fancy) 2-3mm guy lines and spares/extensions, and seperate fishing kit and repair/sewing kit.
For just a general do it all multi purpose hank I'd reccomend carrying some of the black kevlar line available from point north. Its very thin so you can carry a lot of it in a small hank, its very strong with low stretch. Its good for everything from emergency guy lines and washing/drying lines, to fishing lines and snares. And you will use it as a regular bit of kit. Its also pretty cheap.
bigjackbrass
26-08-2004, 18:50
For just a general do it all multi purpose hank I'd reccomend carrying some of the black kevlar line available from point north.
How well does the Kevlar line hold a knot? A few years ago a company in the US was marketing Kevlar shoelaces guaranteed never to break, which was fine apart from the fact that they were exceptionally difficult to keep tied. Does the Point North line fare better?
How strong is paracord, I mean the real stuff.
Is the 550 in the name related to the breaking stain?
Will it hold up a hammock?
Could you tow a car with it?
Are there any recommended knots to use with it? as it appears slightly slippery.
Real paracord has a minimum breaking strain of 550 lbs ... remembering that knots and so on can reduce this significantly. Also, real paracord isn't slipperly at all and takes most knots really well.
Towing, probably not. Hammocks, yes.
TheViking
26-08-2004, 20:05
Hi...
In my hammock there's real paracord. It's green all over and this way, makes perfect camouflage in a treetop... :D :wink:
towing a car with it ? i certainly wouldn't do that ! i have seen a special car towing cable brake even though there wasn't that much force applied to it. Those things are far stronger and actually ment to do that ! ( towing cars that is )
Paracord, purlon line, field line, nylon line from BQ etc etc - in my opinion its all the same at the end of the day! :yikes:
Before I am burnt at the stake let me explain. :shock:
Like the knife debate the best 'string' in a emergency is the string you have on you - so by this reckoning the best idea is to carry 550 Paracord (as we have seen it has many uses) but as Will wisely points out who uses it every day? Bit like owning a 4x4 just for the school run. A good woodsmen builds a shelter that doesn't need cordage, so what does he need top notch paracord for? In the Army we used bog standard green string for most things and this was just fine but most squaddies still carried a roll of paracord or similar on them 'just in case'- in case of what?.
Now to training - bow drill cordage, I have seen students use many different types of cordage for this and ALL the paracord types have worked as far as I can recall theres a little stretch ect but thats all part of the course and would happen with leather too. People often (probably through sales burb etc) over estimate the strength of cordage they need after all your not going to use it to climb Everest. Incidentially going back to Will's point again - here (on bow drilling) people are often reluctant to use their cordage and on most of the courses I've worked on its been necessary to supply them with some (never thought about it before but that must say something - back to the 4x4 thing probably).
However while paracord (or similar) has great strength and versatility which is good in an emergency it has one property that makes its not so good in general usage - is doesnt rot. I've seen many a tree scared by old cord still wrapped around it and apart from being a bad example of 'the craft' its also an eye sore and an insult to Mother nature.
The answer - unlike a knife Paracord (in all its guises) isn't expensive so it doesn't hurt to buy the best but I would suggest you buy your 10 -15m and then keep it in your possibles pouch or pocket for that just in case scenario - while for the rest of your training (if you must had string) go to the garden centre or similar and purchase a few rolls of string made from natural materials which will decompose if lost or forgotten in the field. This is weaker - yes - but in its weakness lies its greatest strength for it will teach you to use it correctly, it will improve your knots and lashings and ultimately not being a by product of the petro industry it is actually friendly to old mother nature and lets face facts the old girl needs all the help we can give her these days!
Tantalus
27-08-2004, 09:03
nice point gary and i gotta say i agree with you
Tant
Some very sensible replies so far with some very valid points ..... but B&Q nylon isn't as nice to cuddle and stroke :naughty:
I don't have a paracord fetish,
I don't have a paracord fetish,
I don't have a paracord fetish,
I don't have a paracord fetish,
I don't have a paracord fetish,
Towing a car? .. at 550lbs . it better be a very small light car ....... perhaps an Elise? ... although to risk a Lotus with a test like that would be entirely your own responsibility :o): ... of course you could always twist a few lengths of paracord together
Paracord, purlon line, field line, nylon line from BQ etc etc - in my opinion its all the same at the end of the day! :yikes:
It would take a braver person than I to jump out of a plane with a parachute that was connected to me using B&Q cord!
Paracord is that - mil-spec cord. I think we only really worry about using it here in the UK because of the price. The thing that paracord (real not cheapo stuff) gives is consistancy from one piece to the next.
The mil-spec for paracord is MIL-C-5040H and you can access details on the spec here (Type III are references to paracord):
http://assist.daps.dla.mil/docimages/0001/65/44/5040H.PD6
OK ok - not for parachuting! :o):
But for MOST bushcraft applications! :nana:
Towed a car with a lot less, even towed a car with a hazel bond :shock:
All you have to do with cord, is to double and double and so on, then you have cord that will tow tons!
What's a hazel bond Jack?
bigjackbrass
30-08-2004, 13:47
What's a hazel bond Jack?
I'm guessing it's not James Bond's wife.
bushblade
02-09-2004, 12:04
How well does the Kevlar line hold a knot? A few years ago a company in the US was marketing Kevlar shoelaces guaranteed never to break, which was fine apart from the fact that they were exceptionally difficult to keep tied. Does the Point North line fare better?
Sorry I have not replied sooner, I don't have a computer at the mo.
I have not had any problems with knots in the kevlar line, I think it could just be the white inner strands that are kevlar.
Thanks for the comments Gary, very well said. No I don't use it every day but I think you get the point, just regular use.
550 is nice but not essential, and as for parachutes not every parachute is rigged out with 550 line, there is a huge variety of rigging line available many of which has no inner strands at all.
OK ok - not for parachuting! :o):
But for MOST bushcraft applications! :nana:
Given that in bushcraft terms, split down bits of strigy tree root and twisted nettle stalks do the job, I would think anything resembling string would be an improvement. :wave: :o): :wink:
monkey boy
11-11-2011, 22:05
i just use the 99p store para cord for setting up my tarp and other camp crafts i may need cord for, if it ties nots and keeps good tention, does the job i want it to do then its good, some times i like to make my cord at camp out of willow or nettles, i keep the good stuff for long journys to places im unsure of but for weekend trips and overnite stay, cord is cord