Got Paracord?

[pfrsantos]

Thanks, it looked that way, just wanted to make sure.

 

 

[Stormdrane]

Thanks, it looked that way, just wanted to make sure.

 

[pfrsantos]

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Thanks! I was thinking about having something to give it more weight, maybe a metal nut, the same diameter as the stopper knot. It would be hidden inside the weave.

Have you tried something like that? Does it work?

 

[Stormdrane]

Thanks! I was thinking about having something to give it more weight, maybe a metal nut, the same diameter as the stopper knot. It would be hidden inside the weave.

Have you tried something like that? Does it work?

 

I've used ball bearings of various sizes for cores, golf balls, and even a pool cue ball, just depends on the cord, the knot and whatever size project you're doing.

[pfrsantos]

I've used ball bearings of various sizes for cores, golf balls, and even a pool cue ball, just depends on the cord, the knot and whatever size project you're doing.

I've used a metal ball, from a broken mechanical mouse, in a monkey fist and it worked great. I thought of the nut, to use with this herringbone knot.

[Stormdrane]

I've used a metal ball, from a broken mechanical mouse, in a monkey fist and it worked great. I thought of the nut, to use with this herringbone knot.

I'm not sure how the shape of the nut will affect the shape of the herringbone once it's tightened up.  You might need to stick something firm through the nut, that will stick out a bit on either side of the nut, so that it would be of a a similar profile to the lanyard knot that the nut would be replacing as the core.

[pfrsantos]

I'm not sure how the shape of the nut will affect the shape of the herringbone once it's tightened up.  You might need to stick something firm through the nut, that will stick out a bit on either side of the nut, so that it would be of a a similar profile to the lanyard knot that the nut would be replacing as the core.

I thought about a nut the size of the initial stopping knot. Passing the loop through the nut, so it sits against the stopping knot, inside the weave. When you tighten the knot, the weave would keep it in place.

 

[Stormdrane]

I thought about a nut the size of the initial stopping knot. Passing the loop through the nut, so it sits against the stopping knot, inside the weave. When you tighten the knot, the weave would keep it in place.

 

Try it with different size nuts, tie/untie to make sure the finished knot gets the shape and covers the core to your satisfaction. 

[pfrsantos]

Thanks. I'll try to make one to use as a keyring or lanyard.

 

[n4vgm]

No pics as I am at "work" but you can use your imagination! What I have been using paracord for lately is to replace the elastic ear loops on masks with top/bottom ties. the elastic loops just do not fit me right and bother my ears. Wearing glasses likely doesn't help either. I actually sew them on myself.

I have found that 15" per side for the top and 13" per side for the bottom work great for me and my wife but YMMV. And for some reason the black cord stays tied while grey or OD seem to slide loose. 

And, of course, I melt the ends before sewing and I darken the white center threads with permanent marker so I do not have four dots on the corners of my mask. Some things are just not acceptable with mask fashion!

[Wspeed]

Great idea for the mask

[Scorpion Regent]

No pics as I am at "work" but you can use your imagination! What I have been using paracord for lately is to replace the elastic ear loops on masks with top/bottom ties. the elastic loops just do not fit me right and bother my ears. Wearing glasses likely doesn't help either. I actually sew them on myself.

I have found that 15" per side for the top and 13" per side for the bottom work great for me and my wife but YMMV. And for some reason the black cord stays tied while grey or OD seem to slide loose. 

And, of course, I melt the ends before sewing and I darken the white center threads with permanent marker so I do not have four dots on the corners of my mask. Some things are just not acceptable with mask fashion!

It sounds to me like you need a more reliable knot.  Which one are you using? 

[Essexman]

More dog leash work......woof

 

 

[Stormdrane]

[Stormdrane]

[pfrsantos]

That's your new favourite combo? Nice looking lanyards! What knots are those?

 

[Stormdrane]

That's your new favourite combo? Nice looking lanyards! What knots are those?

 

Two-strand gaucho knots, finished with a two-strand footrope knot with the SAK and lanyard/diamond knot with the Kershaw Emerson.  I can see enough to manage tying them, lol... 

[pfrsantos]

Two-strand gaucho knots, finished with a two-strand footrope knot with the SAK and lanyard/diamond knot with the Kershaw Emerson.  I can see enough to manage tying them, lol... 

Those gaucho knots have different sizes, right? Found a tutorial in YouTube, for 2 strand 4 bight. Is it just a question of having more twists when you start, 3 or 4 or more, instead of just the 2? Or do you need an even number?

 

[Stormdrane]

Those gaucho knots have different sizes, right? Found a tutorial in YouTube, for 2 strand 4 bight. Is it just a question of having more twists when you start, 3 or 4 or more, instead of just the 2? Or do you need an even number?

 

If this is the one you're following, you can make a longer version by increasing the number of initial wraps around the dowel/mandrel and do the same under/over pattern with the working ends. 

Beyond 3,4,5 wraps it becomes more difficult for me to keep the knot straight and lined up (tying around a Bic pen), so I tend to keep these two-stranded gauchos short.

[pfrsantos]

If this is the one you're following, you can make a longer version by increasing the number of initial wraps around the dowel/mandrel and do the same under/over pattern with the working ends. 

Beyond 3,4,5 wraps it becomes more difficult for me to keep the knot straight and lined up (tying around a Bic pen), so I tend to keep these two-stranded gauchos short.

Yup, that's the one! Thanks for the tips! Now I just need to get some paracord and a couple of hours to try these new ones.

 

[Sos24]

My first try at a water bottle holder.  It is functional, but didn’t come out as well as I wanted. 

[MadPlumbarian]

My first try at a water bottle holder.  It is functional, but didn’t come out as well as I wanted. 

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Not bad, I like it!
JR

[Sos24]

Not bad, I like it!
JR

Thanks.  I think the next one will be better, but I am waiting on the shockcord.

[MadPlumbarian]

Thanks.  I think the next one will be better, but I am waiting on the shockcord.

That’s normally how it works, you get a brain fart after looking at what you did and make something a little better.. and so on.
JR

[Sos24]

That’s normally how it works, you get a brain fart after looking at what you did and make something a little better.. and so on.
JR

Yes, it is.  That is the way it has worked with the harness and dog leashes, I’ve made as well.

[pfrsantos]

Yes, it is.  That is the way it has worked with the harness and dog leashes, I’ve made as well.

The good thing about paracord is that you can untie it and redo your work, avoiding the mistakes and making a better version of your first try.

 

[Sea Monster]

Essexman - inspired by your work, I had a crack a paracord dog lead (I normally splice them out of old anchor ropes), and whilst it was a success and I'm happy with the end result - the damn thing took me just over an hour.

Do you have a jig set up, or some secret technique to hasten the process?

[Essexman]

Essexman - inspired by your work, I had a crack a paracord dog lead (I normally splice them out of old anchor ropes), and whilst it was a success and I'm happy with the end result - the damn thing took me just over an hour.

Do you have a jig set up, or some secret technique to hasten the process?

Thank you for the kind words. Yes they take far too much time to make! I don't use any jigs for them, when making the main weave of the lead I clip the lead up on a wall and work downwards, but others I know weave on their lap whilst watching TV. The four cord weave doubled up as shown above seems to be one of the quicker weaves. Other 8 cord weaves take much longer. The knots at the start and end don't take too long, practice makes it quicker. I normally make a batch of leads, maybe 4 of 5 in one go which helps with the muscle memory.

[Sos24]

Leashes definitely take time.  This one is a multifunctional one that I did over the course of a week.  I am one who does them while sitting watching TV in my lap.

This one was my last one, done for a friend a few weeks a go.  I will be starting another one later this week.

[Sea Monster]

Thank you for the kind words. Yes they take far too much time to make! I don't use any jigs for them, when making the main weave of the lead I clip the lead up on a wall and work downwards, but others I know weave on their lap whilst watching TV. The four cord weave doubled up as shown above seems to be one of the quicker weaves. Other 8 cord weaves take much longer. The knots at the start and end don't take too long, practice makes it quicker. I normally make a batch of leads, maybe 4 of 5 in one go which helps with the muscle memory.

Ehh, might be a one off then, unless some desperately wants one for a birthday present or something.
"Upcycling" a piece of old cordage costs me far less, and takes about 10 minutes