Sam Gravestock considers the uses of para cord.
Para cord is not the most exciting item of kit. It will never attract the excitement of boots, bergens, tarpaulins or knives (oh how people can get excited about knives!).
Para cord is one of those unnoticed, underappreciated items of kit, sat quietly in the side pocket of bergens, unthought-of until you need to tie something. Then you reach for it, use it and lob it once more into the bergen pocket.
But what is para cord? Traditionally it is the cord from parachutes, (clue is in the name really isn't it).
It is usually green (good outdoors colour until you fall over it). The thing that makes it so special is that it has an outer sheath and then it has internal finer cords inside the sheath. This gives the cord more strength than some available. It also allows for those who feel the need to remove the inner cords from the outer sheath layer to utilise the finer inner cords for more detailed cordage use.
Para cord is always there handy for pegging a tarpaulin, making a lanyard for knives, compasses and spark sticks, or suspending a billy can over a fire. It can be used for lashings to create assorted camp furnishings and tools.
The inner cord as I mentioned earlier can be stripped out of the outer sheath giving fine thinner cordage. This can be used to make items that need a finer cord, such as nets for fishing or ferreting (note apart from survival situations fishing with a net is illegal in the UK). They can also be used for fishing lines or fine lashings to create fishing hooks. Braided together, several inner cords can be used to make survival items like slingshots and bolas (again please note in the UK apart from in survival situations bolas are illegal).
Para cord lends itself to elaborate braiding or knot work. Making a stronger tarpaulin ridgeline, belts, bracelets (a modern fashion item with certain bush craft enthusiasts - I have three).
Something I have seen but not had call to use myself is using the outer sheath with the inner cord stripped out to hold glasses. Simply threading the empty sheath onto the arms of the glasses, then using some inner cord whipped around the outer sheath to hold it in place.
The Para cord I was provided with to review came on a simple plastic frame which fits nicely into thigh pockets of combat trousers, easily into webbing pouches, jackets and various other quick access storage areas. The real merit in my opinion of the storage frame is that it keeps the Para cord neatly stored but unlike hanking the end result does not fall into the nooks and crannies of pack pockets resulting in the desperate one-handed search whilst holding a flapping tarp.
Word of advice - when cutting Para cord it is a good idea to melt the ends you have cut. This will seal the inner cords onto the outer sheath and prevent it fraying or working loose.
So in conclusion para cord is one of the mort unsung, unnoticed heroes of the kit list, lying in wait until needed. And at the prices available you would be a fool to forget to pack some.
You can buy para cord directly from this site. Now also available on larger reels and as bracelets.
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November 2011
