Parachute Cord
Parachute cord isn’t only light and strong (550lb. rating) for its size (5/32” diameter), it’s also more versatile than other types of rope because it can be dissected and parted out, cut and used for its braided nylon sleeve and/or seven separate core strands.
I first learned about parachute cord while doing fieldwork in Venezuela, where we used it to hang our hammocks, and also cut open pieces of it to utilize the inner strands individually for fastening wires to frames in order to sift soil. I saw paracord strands used as fishing line, too.
You can get enhanced grip and a little added padding by using paracord to wrap tool handles. It's also used for making lanyards. I recently inserted a length of ball chain into parachute cord sleeve to make a hands-free flashlight for late-night dog walks. The nylon is a lot more comfortable around my neck than ball chain, and the fit is perfect.
Available from Amazon
Favorite (15)
rob
This stuff is great. The hard part is finding actual military spec paracord, not just nylon cord which is commonly sold under the name of '550 paracord' but is not made to the specifications of the U.S. military and may not be rated to hold 550 lbs... What you want is MIL-C-5040H Type III parachute cord. Genuine 550 paracord is a little more expensive than cheap nylon rope; usually $8-$10 per 100ft. I would not buy from amazon, only because I like to know for sure I'm getting the real stuff. www.bestglide.com has the real deal and will provide certification. Or you could go straight to their supplier, E.L Wood Braiding co. County comm has it too. Obviously if your application doesn't require real 550lb. paracord, say if you're just tying something down, then by all means get regular nylon cord as it's still very strong and versatile.
Julian
http://www.supplycaptain.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_ID=19
THE best place to get the real stuff-
Great customer service!
http://stormdrane.blogspot.com/
An evolving overview of all the things that you can make out of p-cord
Really nice work.
frederick
i just use regular nylon cord now, even when i go para gliding. i even used it for my parachute. hasnt broken yet...!
rob
@ frederick:
... you're joking, right?
Smar Tass
Also works great as a clothesline, cat toy, kite flying device and really heavy puppets.
Sam
I've bought several 100 foot lengths of paracord from county comm. The applications for this stuff seem endless. One of the most prosaic and mundane uses is simply replacing my shoe and boot laces with paracord. The normal laces supplied with footwear will invariably abrade and eventually break...usually when you're running a few minutes late for work and in a hurry! I have had the same paracord laces on my work boots for several years now, with no visible signs of wear.
Alan
For even more Paracord goodness, try 8 strand version. You can get it at http://www.goinggear.com.
I have no idea if adding 1 more internal strand with bring whirl peas but 8 is better than 7, right?
ka
Seriously? Has Cool Tools officially jumped the shark?
Mike D
As others have mentioned, make sure you ask for a copy of the certification that it meets spec for paracord. If your making the decision to use paracord over yellow floatie rope or another type of cord, the quality probably matters for your application. Lots of imitation crap out there on the market.
Russell
I use the nylon stuff to create loops on things that don't have loops (flashlight, lighter, etc.). It is both handy to have extra rope and dampens the noise from my ever growing key chain.
Billy Oblivion
@Ka:
No.
550 cord is second only to 90mph tape (aka Duct Tape) in it's utility. With a leatherman, a box of 90mph tape, a couple spools of 550 cord and some really thick garbage bags you could restart civilization.
dan
see infantry bracelet.
another good cord is lacrosse webbing slightly smaller.
dan
Julian
nice links thx
Jef Poskanzer
Re the ball chain inside paracord sleeve hack, I am unclear on why you didn't just replace the ball chain with unmodded paracord.
George C.
@Jef - Likely because he wanted to retain the easy on/off clasp the ball chain provided.
SemperNutty
Billy Oblivion,
Don't forget your knife and a big ole' can of WD-40....you'll be set for a few generations....haha