Thinner Alternative to 550 Cord?

Instead of paracord, which is great but over the top for most uses, I carry nylon net making cord. It's used (in the UK at least) for making gill netts and rabbit nets. It's about 1/16" diameter. I don't know its breaking strength; I cannot break it by hand but certainly wouldn't abseil with it! For most uses, it's great. A large spool that weighs about 2.5 lbs cost me around £12 ($18 or so)

It doesn't have internal strands though, not being kernmantle cord. If you wanted internal strands for potential fishing line etc, then I would just carry a small spool of line. If you really want kernmantle construction for the abrasion resistance though, you will have to pay for something like REI's I think.
 
What Raymond suggested or there is some pretty tough braided fishing line on the market these days though none with internal strands.
 
Look up Ultimate Survival Cord, no internal strands but it's strong and much smaller than paracord. There's also a 900 lb version and some Kevlar twine that's 200 lb test. None of these take knots that well, they're kinda slick, they are kind of expensive as well.
 
I use spectra, dyneema, and technora in tree climbing for prusik cord and throw line. Those materials are amazingly light and strong and most are hollow braids so you can make some nice splices.
They're good only in certain situations though. Like Foxx said, they're slick so they don't hold knots easily. The braid is fairly open too, so while the material's abrasion resistance is good the fibers can sometimes be easily picked out and broken if rubbed on things like sharp rocks. About the only thing I use those types of cord for outside of climbing is stringing up food in a tree. It's a lot easier to pull the slick stuff over a limb. Basically they excel in weight, tensile strength, and sliding along (not sideways) surfaces. It might be what the OP is looking for but I think there are better all around options, especially when you factor in the cost.
If you do want something like ultimate survival cord you could get Zing-It throwline which is much cheaper and comes in high visibility colors.
 
The two previous answers are on the money. Kevlar thread is about $12 a 100yd spool & rated at 90lb test. I use spectra at anywhere from 100lb to 180lb test. Bowfishing line is super heavy duty spectra at over 200lb test. But for a pocket survival kit, you can't beat floss! The sample you get from your dentist is enough to build a shelter with or fish, but not for both.
 
oguruma said:
I am looking to get some thin cord for a pocket survival kit. MSR makes this http://www.rei.com/product/829843/msr-ultralight-utility-cord-kitstuff, but its $20 for 50 feet so that's more than I'd like to spend. Anybody know of some thin utility cord (not twin or bank line)? Preferrably with interior strands.

-
Click to expand...

REI is expensive. Shop elsewhere if you just need general commodities.

You can buy 100 feet of 550 paracord from that online 'bay site for $9.98 delivered. You can buy 100 feet from that 'mazon place online for $7.98/delivered.
 
Countycomm sells 3/32" nylon tether cord that may be what the OP is looking for. 300 ft. spool is $8.95.
 
I've found 1/8" (3mm) solid braid nylon cord to be a very useful alternative to paracord. The big box hardware stores should have it so it's easy to find. No internal strands, but I do think solid braid is more durable. Mason's line is also handy, but has too much stretch for me and doesn't knot well (too slippery). If you go too much smaller in diameter, it gets too hard to untie the knots imo.
 
Blue Sky said:
I've found 1/8" (3mm) solid braid nylon cord to be a very useful alternative to paracord. The big box hardware stores should have it so it's easy to find. No internal strands, but I do think solid braid is more durable. Mason's line is also handy, but has too much stretch for me and doesn't knot well (too slippery). If you go too much smaller in diameter, it gets too hard to untie the knots imo.
Click to expand...

I really don't care for the braided cordage just because it doesn't seem overly durable in terms of keeping from coming unraveled.
 
just pull half the inner cord out, it'll make it pack tighter :)

the inner cord makes for good stitching thread too, especially after a rub with beeswax.
 
I don't ever have unravelling problems, but of course I'm melting the ends a little after a cut. The solid braid always works well for me. Maybe we are talking about different things.
 
Have you looked at the thinner Type I paracord? It's about 100lb test with inner stands. ~$7 for 50ft.
 
http://www.rei.com/product/716686/pmi-utility-cord-3mm
Thats basically what I carry, also the non-cored 2mm stuff. Seems to do the job for most things and takes knots much better than 550, but still thick enough to handle with chilly hands. Regardless of what you get, you are going to have to spend a bit for good cord. In my experience, it is a case of you get what you pay for.
 
Check out New England Ropes Mini V rope, its a vectran core double braid, 2mm line has a tensil of 270# and is about $0.35/ft. at most marine retailers. There is also 3mm and 4mm size too. The core is 12 starnd braid, splice with a brummel splice and whip the cover at the thoat of the splice. Holds knots well. Sheave size should be about 8:1 for max life.


-Xander
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top