Cordage as a Multitool

[Swiss Guy]

I was inspired by the Knot in October GAW thread to create a thread about the use of cordage (and knots, of course!) in creative ways. I always have a 15 foot (4.5 meter) hank of paracord on me because I find it useful for many different things. In fact, I think of cordage as another type of multi-tool because of how much utility one can get out of it.

Here are a few things I have used my pocket paracord for:

1) I have used the paracord to make an impromptu leash for a stray dog so I was able to bring it back home.
2) During a get-together with family, I used the paracord to tie open the back door so that the food could easily be brought out. The wind had kept slamming the door closed.
3) When refilling my propane containers, I use the paracord to tie the containers down in the back of my SUV so they don't roll around.
4) I have used it to tie one end on my belt and another on a chain link fence at the top of a hill while planting things for my wife. << not recommended, but it did keep me from sliding down hill.

This is MultiTool.org so I am curious if anyone else uses paracord in interesting ways to warrant referring to it as a type of multi-tool. Please share.

[Aloha]

  I carried cordage and it was quite helpful.  I used the hank I had to tie down a sofa I was helping a friend move.  I stopped for some reason as I was slimming down my carry.  This year however I decided to carry a hank of cordage again.  Its reminded me how useful it is.  I've tied down items when at the fleamarket.  A hank of cordage along with a couple great knots and you've got a powerful piece of kit. 

How do you carry your cordage?   

[Swiss Guy]

Great uses! 

I wrap up my paracord using the fast rope method.

Here is a video showing the method:



You are absolutely correct about knowing the right knots. If you aren't familiar with the more common knots, cordage is less useful.

After watching me use my cordage so often, my girlfriend asked me to show her how to tie some knots. I taught her the bowline and alpine butterfly because those were the ones I was using at the time.

I had set up a clothesline to spray our camping clothes with permethrin. I created the alpine butterflies to hold the hangers and keep the clothes from sliding together. After I showed her how to tie the alpine butterflies, she tied the rest of them. 

[Aloha]

That's great.  Always nice to hear others interested in knots. 

[mzil]

I learned how to make the fast rope (originally carried by the samurai police in old Japan and used to secure/arrest bad guys, i.e. it was what they used before the invention of handcuffs) and thought to myself: "This would be so much better if you carried it on your wrist as a quick-deploy EDC/survival bracelet!" . . . so I invented one:

A. It re-constructs in literally one minute.
B. Unlike woven bracelets it deploys into ready to use, un-kinked cordage in literally 5-seconds. .
C. It requires no tools nor a plastic buckle you need to buy first; it is just 100% paracord and nothing else.

Here is my quick, one-minute long video tutorial (the refresher course version) but I recommend watching one of my full length Youtube Howto's if you actually want to make one (to get some details/pointers so your bracelet comes out lump free and without snags/knots during deployment):


I later came up with a high-capacity version for people who want to carry an unlimited amount of cordage. I call that advanced version a "Mega Bracelet":

[cody6268]

I've used it as a pull rope to remove a fallen tree from a fence. I first tied it onto the tree with a hitch.  Need a slight lift to keep it from hooking onto the fence, so I found a high tree limb, tied the rope through the lanyard hole on my folding saw, and threw the folding saw (acting as a weight) over the tree limb (with no damage to the saw). Secured the rope to the J-hook bolted into the winch mount of the UTV, and yanked the tree limb off the fence. The tree limb probably weighed a little over a hundred pounds. The stuff's been used on camping trips to repair a busted folding chair, and a clothesline. If I need thinner cord for whatever reason, I just yank out the innards.

We have a property boundary that's been giving us a headache. The owners of the property next to us claimed a right of way they didn't have, and they used a surveyor who, from talking to other surveyors in the area, is known as an idiot; who quite frankly, ignored every word in the deed and placed stakes wherever the property owner wanted NOT where the deed specified; and they would remove stakes placed by our surveyor. They kept yanking the orange tape off the pieces of rebar that marked the line. Took the paracord (I almost always buy orange colors, since the primary use of it is knife lanyards) and when new rebar was put in (to replace wood they'd yanked out after a survey) I wrapped it in paracord. No problem since.

[Swiss Guy]

I learned how to make the fast rope (originally carried by the samurai police in old Japan and used to secure/arrest bad guys, i.e. it was what they used before the invention of handcuffs) and thought to myself: "This would be so much better if you carried it on your wrist as a quick-deploy EDC/survival bracelet!" . . . so I invented one:

That is a great idea for keeping fast-deploy cordage. I am going to have to try that.

I've used it as a pull rope to remove a fallen tree from a fence.weighed a little over a hundred pounds.

The stuff's been used on camping trips to repair a busted folding chair, and a clothesline. If I need thinner cord for whatever reason, I just yank out the innards.

Making a broken chair functional again--awesome! Those are the kinds of things that make one realize how useful having cordage can be.

Thanks for sharing.

[Aloha]

I've seen many of your videos MZIL.  Good stuff and thanks for the reminder.   

[ReamerPunch]

 
I've done a quick release bracelet and have adopted various other tips and tricks. Thanks, Mzil! Big fan of your work.

[pfrsantos]

I've seen many of your videos MZIL.  Good stuff and thanks for the reminder.   

+1

Thanks for sharing!

I've done a quick release bracelet and have adopted various other tips and tricks. Thanks, Mzil! Big fan of your work.

Again, +1

Glad to see you back in MTo!

 

[mzil]

Thanks everyone!

My Mega Bracelet design (good for carrying large quantities of paracord) of course can also just be kept unfastened in a straight line, just like any fast rope bundle, and stuffed in your bag. You can think of it as a fast rope bundle (aka a Hayanawa) that additionally has a secure attachment loop at one end and a quick deployment rip cord knot on the other end. Fasten one to the other and BINGO: you have a bracelet.

For people who want a small version there's also my Parafob (PARAcord keyFOB) design. Because you can tug on its loop without having it deploy it works as a zipper pull, key ring fob, or a multitool/knife lanyard. Small ones of ~5 feet, or so, deploy in a flash when you quickly need a short length of cord: