Paracord is a reliable type of rope with unusually high tensile strength. This means it can support a significant amount of stress in the form of stretching and load bearing before it can sustain damage. It’s made of nylon, having multiple strands for added durability. You can buy the best paracord 1000 ft spool wholesale; it’ll be worth every penny.
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Origins of the Paracord
Paracord was originally developed for military purposes by the US government during World War I. Its durability and reliability were so effective that the soldiers who used it on the battlefield quickly found ways of repurposing them. From their original uses as suspension lines, they became essential for tying equipment and as a tourniquet.
Once it was made available to the public, the army began to sell its surplus of paracord, thereby enabling more and more people to experience its durability.
Today, there are numerous manufacturers of paracord, offering these high-quality ropes to people at reasonable prices.
Different Types of Paracord
The original type of paracord used by the military is the 550 paracord; this is considered the traditional, standard paracord. This type of paracord is made of nylon. It consists of 7 inner strands enclosed in a nylon (or polyester) sheath. The combination is responsible for the 550 paracord’s immense rigidity and strength. Its tensile strength is 550 pounds though the safe threshold for supporting weight is lower than that.
Other types of paracord include:
I) Enhanced cord: Unlike the standard 550 paracord, this one has 11 inner strands enclosed inside its sheath, conferring upon it a tensile strength of 750 pounds.
ii) 650 paracord: Unlike all the other types, this type of paracord doesn’t have any inner strands. It’s simply a hollow sheath, giving it a flat appearance. It has a 300-pound tensile strength.
iii) 425 paracord: With 3 inner strands that provide a tensile strength of up to 425, this type of paracord is smaller than the standard 550 one.
iv) 325 paracord: This type is smaller than the 425 paracord. While it also has 3 inner strands, its tensile strength is between 300 and 325 pounds.
Others like the 275 paracord and the 95 paracord are smaller than the rest, having tensile strengths of up to 275 and 100 pounds respectively.
Uses
Given its tensile strength, the paracord has long been a key tool for survivalists and anyone with a love for the outdoors. It’s still used by the military for parachutes and other rigorous endeavors. However, its civilian use is now so prevalent that there’s a whole niche that focuses on producing it in abundance.
Paracords are now available for sale at numerous business establishments, both physical and online. This means that the average Joe can purchase and repurpose it for a wide range of uses. For example, gun enthusiasts have found that paracord can be ideal for making reliable gun slings even for large firearms.
Dog owners also make leashes using paracord. Usually, those with few inner strands like the 325 paracord are ideal for such purposes.
Having a paracord is now standard for nearly anyone going camping, rock climbing, or engaging in any outdoor activities. It can come in handy in such environments.
People now make belts and bracelets from paracords. In addition to selling such items to make money, items like belts also appeal to survivalists. A belt made of paracord can come in handy should you need rope. It can be used to rappel from some surfaces given its reliability.
Paracords have also found uses as lanyards, bottle carriers, and so much more.
What Makes Paracords so Durable?
A key factor that makes paracord so reliable is its composition. Nylon, the material from which its inner strands are made, is a polymer with a highly-ordered molecular structure. This characteristic alone gives it a tensile strength comparable to materials like steel. The woven sheath around the inner strands provides incredible resistance against wear and other ill effects of natural elements like sunshine.
Even a paracord with few strands like the 275 type can still provide significant durability.
Paracord Accessories
Several accessories go with paracord, the most common being buckles. Such buckles can be made of metal or plastic. Other accessories include:
- Spools
- Hooks
- Rings
- Loops
These are usually to help the paracord serve a particular function. For instance, paracord buckles help to provide secure closure when using these ropes for things like rock climbing.
All in all, paracord can be useful in a wide range of situations given a little creativity.