Why paracord???

[cbl51]

Okay, I have to admit that I am stumped by the obsession with paracord these days. I admit I'm an old fart, and never used the stuff for the simple reason it wasn't around for most of my life. When we went camping we just took a ball of jute twine with us, and it did all we needed to do with anything involving cordage.

I tried a bit of the paracord stuff, and to me, I found it very flawed. It's slippery and doesn't hold knots well. It's fat, and can't be used for fine stuff. It doesn't serve worth a darn as tinder when you unbraid it and fluff it up a bit like jute twine. It's not bio degradable so you can't leave it behind tried to stuff. And mostly, it doesn't absorb glue, so you can't use it for cord wrap handles like jute twine. And it's way to skinny to take advantage of it's supposed 550 pound breaking point. It's not like your going to use it to climb with. I don't think all the lean-to frames I've made for tarp shelters on overnight camping trips ever approached 50 pounds, let alone 550.

Epoxy impregnated cord wrap handle.


I tried to like the stuff, but just can't. It seems like yet another over priced "tactical" accessory for would be outdoors men to buy at over inflated price points.

So, why?

[Dragon Lord]

I think it's practical and usefull to have the 550 pounds resitent cord just in case.  It can be stored easily and I think is good for handles.  That said I also think jute is good for some task but the soft touch of paracord made it great for bracelets and handles.  Paracord may not be perfect bot it's really good and not so expensive IMO. 

Also it comes in colors that can match your needs or desires.  There is even one with a fire starting cord called firecord is a kickstater founded proyect.

In the worst case you may not like it but you have an option if you need it.

[ducttapetech]

While I love nature cordage, I love paracord.
It last a lot longer than nature cord, and can used over and over again. Like on my tarps and other gear. Also, paracord is not a new tacticool invention. It has been used since WW2.

[Aloha]

Ahh paracord.........  Love the stuff.  I would agree the tacticool aspect is probably what made this cordage popular.  I do like how inner strands can be removed and used apart from the cord.  All the strands can be removed and the sheath/casing is now flat and pliable.  The inner strands now can be used for fishing line, dental floss, sewing thread, and so on. 

I like the strength 550lbs simply for the ability to pull, haul, secure items that could and possibly would stress other cordage.

In a survival scenario the bright colors available ( most use camo  ) are easily seen by whomever might be looking for you.

Now dont get me wrong I do love me some JUTE  .  I only carry jute in my fire kits and have several hanks in my camping gear.  There are many crossover things you can do with jute vs paracord and yes I love the fact that jute will break down if left in the woods.   

[SAK Guy]

I like paracord for neckers, lanyards etc.

[Aloha]

I've been seeing a lot of bank line love lately too.  I haven't gotten any but I'm an equal opportunity cordage user. 

[ducttapetech]

I've been seeing a lot of bank line love lately too.  I haven't gotten any but I'm an equal opportunity cordage user.

Me too. My grandfather sweared by the stuff.

[SAK Guy]

I forgot to add that I like 3mm accessory cord as well.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

I like paracord as an emergency accessory and for lanyards ect, but for camping/bushcraft I prefer jute because of its ability as tinder and because of its biodegradable nature

[SAK Guy]

I like paracord as an emergency accessory and for lanyards ect, but for camping/bushcraft I prefer jute because of its ability as tinder and because of its biodegradable nature

LOL!  These days, if I'm off in the woods building shelters it will be an emergency!   

[cbl51]

I can't fit 30 yards of paracord in my Altoids survival tin.

[Aloha]

But what about this way to carry both    One of own Storm is the man!!

[Aloha]

Ok so I realize Storm is a master at paracord and I'm all thumbs myself so how about a simple way to have 2 C's of survivability on you.

Paracord and a water bottle.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

I like paracord as an emergency accessory and for lanyards ect, but for camping/bushcraft I prefer jute because of its ability as tinder and because of its biodegradable nature

LOL!  These days, if I'm off in the woods building shelters it will be an emergency!   

To be fair I mostly stand and watch my boy built stuff these days

[Aloha]

I like paracord as an emergency accessory and for lanyards ect, but for camping/bushcraft I prefer jute because of its ability as tinder and because of its biodegradable nature

LOL!  These days, if I'm off in the woods building shelters it will be an emergency!   

To be fair I mostly stand and watch my boy built stuff these days

Love it. 

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

I like paracord as an emergency accessory and for lanyards ect, but for camping/bushcraft I prefer jute because of its ability as tinder and because of its biodegradable nature

LOL!  These days, if I'm off in the woods building shelters it will be an emergency!   

To be fair I mostly stand and watch my boy built stuff these days

Love it.

Meh, its time the next generation pulled its weight

[NKlamerus]

This thread is awesome.

I love the look of natural as well. But I also love the utility-ness of paracord.

It REALLY becomes a debate when you throw in zip ties

[ironraven]

Can 550 cord actually take 550 pounds? Yes. Slowly. Static load only. Be careful with your knots- I've had it break at the knots a few times, including the last time I used it for rigging a hammock. That being said, for it's size, for it's price, it is extremely versatile. In it's class, we've got clothes line (cotton or mystery fibers), jute and sisel cord (no where near as strong, but they have a very valid place), and then way over there in the more money than it's usually worth class, you've got accessory cords for climbing and sailing, aramid cordage (kevlar, etc), and then wire rope.

Some people get too fanboy over it, for various reasons. Doesn't change that it the light cordage equivalent to duct tape and any multitool you can name. Can you do better? Yes, yes, yes, every day, yes. But are you likely to carry better when you aren't planning on it? Nope. It can't replace real rope, just like a multitool can't replace a full tool box.

I carry some and a partial roll of duct tape in my bag every day. And I have to restock them both every couple of months.

[ducttapetech]

I have one more reason......Stormdrane.

[Sparky415]

Why Paracord? .... More important than that, wheres the 10'' missing off the end of your machette gone? 

[pfrsantos]

Why Paracord? .... More important than that, wheres the 10'' missing off the end of your machette gone? 

Where do all machete blade points end?...

Show content

[Aloha]

Why Paracord? .... More important than that, wheres the 10'' missing off the end of your machette gone? 

Where do all machete blade points end?...

Show content

 

[cbl51]

Why Paracord? .... More important than that, wheres the 10'' missing off the end of your machette gone? 

It got cut off by an abrasive wheel on a saw with lots of coolant running on it. It made it into a nice little bush clever for camp use. Kindling, brush, ham, whatever. Had to be small enough to fit in a day pack, out of sight. The squared end is good for some digging and rooting around under logs for bugs, worms and other fish bait. I call it my bush wacker.

[pfrsantos]

Why Paracord? .... More important than that, wheres the 10'' missing off the end of your machette gone? 

It got cut off by an abrasive wheel on a saw with lots of coolant running on it. It made it into a nice little bush clever for camp use. Kindling, brush, ham, whatever. Had to be small enough to fit in a day pack, out of sight. The squared end is good for some digging and rooting around under logs for bugs, worms and other fish bait. I call it my bush wacker.

Oh, I see. It's a jewish machete, then?...
 

[Sparky415]

Why Paracord? .... More important than that, wheres the 10'' missing off the end of your machette gone? 

It got cut off by an abrasive wheel on a saw with lots of coolant running on it. It made it into a nice little bush clever for camp use. Kindling, brush, ham, whatever. Had to be small enough to fit in a day pack, out of sight. The squared end is good for some digging and rooting around under logs for bugs, worms and other fish bait. I call it my bush wacker.

 

 

[Obi1shinobee]

I can't fit 30 yards of paracord in my Altoids survival tin.

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Nice set up

[SAK Guy]

I like it on sheaths too!!

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

I like it on sheaths too!!

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Yay another Trail master fan

I've had my carbon V one for about 20 years

[SAK Guy]

I like it on sheaths too!!

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Yay another Trail master fan

I've had my carbon V one for about 20 years

They are awesome knives!! Mine is a first gen Carbon V too. The TM is so well designed that it's very light in the hand for a big knife. My orig handle is getting slightly loose....I'll need it fixed someday.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

That always was a fault with them I seldom get to use my big knives anymore, but I would love to use this ole girl again

I quite fancy putting a sandbar stag handle on mine one day