Paracord knots? Troubles with slipping.

CSG

CSG

Joined
Dec 15, 2007
Messages
1,407
You know, this is really dumb considering I carry paracord in all my packs but how do you knot this stuff without the knot slipping or coming apart. The outer sleeve of paracord is like Teflon! AFAIK, what I have is traditional 550/7 strand stuff that I've bought from the usual suppliers many of us use.
 
When wrapping or making a knot with paracord, get it soaking wet first. Take care to make everything TIGHT. When it dries out, it will stay good and snug. I've wrapped 'hawks and walking sticks like this, and it stays put very nicely.

While the effect isn't as dramatic as with rawhide, it really does help. Although I'm not entirely sure why...
 
i dont usually use the military grade stuff, but the other cheaper 550 chord that dosent actually hold all 550 pounds holds a knot really well in my opinion.
 
J_T said:
Although I'm not entirely sure why
Click to expand...

its because nylon fibers stretch when they get wet, and then shrink when they dry. this is why it is often advised to avoid nylon guy lines for a tarp or tent, to use polypropelyne or other synthetic fibers.

CSG, for general purpose knots, i usually do a backup knot...so if i am tying a loop into the end of a cord, i might do an extra thumb knot with the slack end.

to tell you the truth though, i find 550 cord overkill for almost any task. i mostly stick with something like venetian blind cord or simple cotton mason's twine.
 
siguy said:
its because nylon fibers stretch when they get wet, and then shrink when they dry.
Click to expand...

OK then :) So it is kinda the same as with rawhide. I guess I tend to think of nylon as being pretty water-resistant but that's not really true.

You're probably right about 550 usually being overkill. But I like overkill :D Plus, the whole strip-off-the-covering-and-have-7-thin-strands-plus-the-original-outer-part is way handy. 'Cuz the inner strands are pretty dang strong.

I don't trust cotton undies, much less cotton cordage.
 
Last edited:
So other than pulling really tight, get it wet too?

I guess I'm a good example of needing to practice with this stuff before relying on it. As a day hiker who puts this stuff together, just in case, I really haven't thought about paracord all that much. I use it because it's cheap enough and seems to be "the thing" on forums like this.

I used to use simple cotton packaging twine but *upgraded* over the past year. Maybe jute or twine is all a person really needs to run a line to hang a tarp over and stake out.
 
Well, this came to light when I went to make a simple retention loop for a Mora 860 I just got from Ben's Backwoods. I cut a length of paracord and figured I'd tie a simple square knotted loop. The idea was the cord would go in the sheath belt clip and loop over the knife handle. When I tied the square knot it wouldn't stay tight. I can get some of those plastic dealies to use but I started thinking of things like rigging a tarp and thought that the basic knots I know wouldn't hold tight if a little jiggling loosened them.
 
A square knot will almost always work loose and slip, try a threaded 8. For guy lines and tarps a taunt line hitch is the way to go. I have rigged tarps for week long trips and besides routine tightening, 550 worked great.

A bowline, figure 8, tauntline hitch and a prusik are what I use 90% of the time and I have never had a problem with any of them and 550. Chris
 
I use paracord quite a bit, with several knots styles. In general, I do not have a problem with knots slipping, but I have come across one "knot" problem.

That is with a slip/tension style knot. If you go to hang a ridgeline or clothesline or whatever, and for tension you use this style of knot, and then load the line (clothesline) I find that the knot holds well, but moves the outer sheath with respect to the inner strands and will bunch up and allow the overall rope to sag. If that makes any sense.

My solution is to either use a truckers hitch or a power cinch type knot for the tension in that particular case.

I still use paracord as the "kit" cord, but there are plenty others I like for general use as well.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top