Paracord

[illini40]

Good morning

I am looking for some help with paracord, and given the audience, I’m hopeful you all may be able to help.

First off, in the spirit of preparedness, I am constantly seeing/hearing that 550 paracord is very useful to keep on hand. Additionally, my young sons are very interested in making “forts” and tents, and paracord and a tarp seem to be a good option for this. Lastly, making things out of paracord just looks like a good fun winter hobby.

Having said all of that, I’m not real experienced with 550 paracord.

A few questions that some may think are silly:

1) Once you cut paracord with a knife, will it always fray and the inner cordage just all start to separate? How do you cut it so that it doesn’t just fall apart essentially (or prevent it from doing that)?

2) Do you have any suggestions on the best knots to use when putting up a lean to or a-frame shelter with a basic tarp? Any resources you would direct me to for learning knots?

3) Any guidance on where or how to start with using paracord to make things (knife loops, braclet, wrap a sheath, etc.)?

Thanks in advance!

 

[eaglewing]

1) the ends need to be burned to stop the fray, melted.

2) truckers hitch

3)

 

[motocrash]

What he said

Home

Animated Knots is the world's leading site for learning how to tie knots of any kind. From Boating Knots, Fishing Knots and Climbing Knots to how to tie a Tie, or even Surgical Knots — we’ve got it covered.

www.animatedknots.com

 

[Steve H]

Wrap electrical tape between the place you want to cut. Then cut between the tape. I use my soldering gun to melt the end. Then remove the tape.

Two half hitch or trucker hitch

Search, good answer from eaglewing

 

[Fueling Around]

1.lots of resources
Fuse carefully. Most cord suppliers use a hot knife to cut to size and fuse the ends in 1 process

2.
Bowline or double half hitch to attach to tarp.
Taut line at the stake end to snug it down

3.
Hobby shops have lots of resources

 

[Brokenhandle]

I'll have to look at some of those sites too...I suck at tying knots.

Ryan

 

[Torch&Tone]

Lightweight rope (cordage) is incredibly useful. Paracord, specifically, is probably a bit overrated & overpriced because of its association with military special operations/commandos (see how many of your internet searches show it wrapped around the handle of a weapon) but works more or less the same as any standard nylon braid.

Other options for finishing a cut end are to whip-finish it with much smaller line - which is a challenge but very satisfying - or to just dip it in glue. There are a bunch of manufacturers and varieties out there; typical practice is to paint a one- or two-inch section, let it dry, cut in the middle, dip the ends, and let it dry again.

As for knots, there are *plenty* of youtube tutorials and other graphic "cheatsheets" like this one.

As for projects, (it might be cliche but) there's a Reddit for that...