para (550) cord

tuckerha · Jun 25, 2009

I love this stuff and usually have a reel around the house. I keep about 20 feet of it in my truck and on hiking trips. Works great for making temporary shelters and such, much like Treemanx was talking about in a post here as well. Curious if there are any other good uses anyone has found. My latest and greatest experiment last weekend was using about 50 feet and making a sling for my hunting rifle. That way, if I am out hunting and need rope, it's readily available. Any other Good ideas or uses out there?

treemanx · Jun 25, 2009

Yeah, this stuff is so useful, everyone who goes into the wild should pack it. What makes it so versatile is its strength, 550 pounds if you buy the real stuff, and it gets that strength from the seven or so white inner cords. You have all the uses of the main cord, and then can pull out the inner cords to make smaller snares, fishing lines, heavy sewing thread, the uses for this stuff is endless and very well worth having.

BlvdKing · Jun 25, 2009

I can't find any real 550 cord locally anymore, where do you get yours?

treemanx · Jun 25, 2009

Youve probably been going to the Army Surplus in Boring? They used to carry it all the time, but lately havent had any. They do, however, right now, have a full parachute with the cording attached. Not only is the cord good to use, but if you know someone who sews or a business that does sewing, take the parachute in to them and have them make you some under shirts and pants out of it. Parachute silk clothing is one of the warmest, most cofortable things you can put on. It lets your skin breath, but keeps you warm. That is an Army secret I learned from my bro, who is a Special Forces guy.

As far as getting just the paracord locally, you might try Andy and Baks, but your best bet is off the internet. I got a bunch from friends that are former military and bought also from the surplus in Boring, and I still have PLENTY left. But like I said, you best bet is off the net. Just be SURE that they tell you that it is REAL 550 cord, and not the Mil Spec fake stuff. You should be able to buy it in lenghts from 25 feet to rolls of 1000 feet.

tuckerha · Jun 25, 2009

I have a reel from years ago from when I was deployed that I found in my footlocker in the garage a while back. Forgot it was there until recently.

I picked up some made by blackhawk, but I have yet to see if it's the real stuff or not.

coctailer · Jun 25, 2009

It's good for making slings in the field.

durango#95 · Jun 25, 2009

Is there any way to tell just by inspecting it if is the real 550 or not?:huh:

NorthernBornRebel · Jun 25, 2009

coctailer said:
It's good for making slings in the field.

You've been going to those arts and crafts classes again, haven't you?

MarkSBG · Jun 25, 2009

ah macrame, what can't you do?

But seriously, that is a great looking sling and I love the idea of having it available and functional at the same time.

treemanx · Jun 25, 2009

durango#95 said:
Is there any way to tell just by inspecting it if is the real 550 or not?:huh:

They are both pretty much look exactly the same. If your used to seeing the 550 cord, you might be able to recognise the fake stuff just by the way it feels.

Vstromvoyager · Jun 25, 2009

The stuff is great! I bought a package on line of all different colors and have made key chains and "survival bracelets" for my friends and family. That way you always have a 10 to 20 foot piece on you every where you go. And the 2 tone ones look pretty cool.

Redrum · Jun 28, 2009

didn't the army surplus store in Boring close????

treemanx · Jun 28, 2009

Redrum said:
didn't the army surplus store in Boring close????

No, they are still there. They used to be in Damascus for a lot of years, and alot of people thought they closed when they moved from Damascus to Boring. But they are actually doing really well right now, everytime I go in there, they are packed.

tuckerha · Jul 11, 2009

Absolutely great for making slings. That's what I use on my SKS on the top. Has at least 30 feet of 550 cord in case it's needed.

Sun195 · Jul 13, 2009

When used w/ ball chain, it's good for neck lanyards. Just pull the internal threads out of the paracord, thread the ball chain where those internal threads used to be, and you've got a comfy neck lanyard that will break-away if needed but isn't cold/annoying/noisy like ball chain alone.

treemanx · Jul 13, 2009

Sun195 said:
When used w/ ball chain, it's good for neck lanyards. Just pull the internal threads out of the paracord, thread the ball chain where those internal threads used to be, and you've got a comfy neck lanyard that will break-away if needed but isn't cold/annoying/noisy like ball chain alone.

Thats what alot of the Army guys do with their dog tags. They'll put the para cord on the necklace, then put the rubber bumpers on the tags, then tape the tags together with a dark colored tape. Keeps them from shining or jingling and making themselves a target.