Dumb para cord question

[Ace of Spades©]

Since its the night for pretty common sense, yet dumb questions, heres is mine.

I just got my hands on about 100 yards of OD para cord and want to put some of it to use, but I don't really know for what. So here is the question : "What do you use para cord for?"

Ive seen pics of M16's with para cord raped around the front site and other ones were SF have a good sized roll of them attached to their harness', but I'm not sure whats their point. Any one care to explain?

[dodger_me]

Shelters,lanyards, slings, general tieing needs

[Kimbo]

it's mainly for utility purposes so anything that you can dream up it's used for. ie: impromptu weapon slings, lanyards, tying scrim or cammo to a weapon or yourself, a belt, tying down equipment on your person so it doesnt rattle, making shelters, tying bad guys up, tourniquet, boot laces, keepers so you don't drop equipment, trip wires, and finally decoration as it just looks cool.

[jaymz1911]

LOL we just used to call it "dope rope" so you can tie kit to your self so you don't lose it....

[SlowEddy]

This Might Help

http://www.instructables.com/id/EL5S...S32O/?ALLSTEPS

You wrap it around anything you can so that it's there if you need it.

[Barf]

I always keep some around for utility purposes, so it's there if you need it.

The thinner variety makes for great garrote material.

[HellRanger]

I use it on standard Vertical grips, for... well... a better grip.

[GraveTech]

I use it mostly when camping... it has a million uses... clothesline, tieing things onto the outside of your pack, keeping your canoe down in a windstorm, keeping things IN your canoe, hauling your food 15-20ft in the air... tonnes of uses. Just watch out pulling it around rough objects, it may start to fuzz fast.

[Lerch]

I like to put my seamanship to work and tie pulls for zippers and other bits. If you ever look into it, Google 'boatswain's braid/knot' and see what you can find.

Otherwise I liked to wrap the stock on my rifles and create a loop to attach slings.

[CDN_Stalker]

You can also make it thinner by removing all the strands from inside of the sheathing, melt the ends with a lighter to prevent unravelling, and use it that way. I tend to use it for lanyards to hold my compass, lighter, etc. on me without loss. Most creative use I have done is put a piece of tie wrap through the sheathing, melt both ends to make a ball, then clamp it under the endplates of my MP5 mags to make very useable cheap magpuls. AND, I've threaded the outer sheathing around split key rings (like the one on a mini Maglite I have) to get rid of that chrome look. Para cord (or 550 cord as it's very well known as also, due to it's spec 550lb strength) is so useful it's uses are almost endless, kinda like tie wraps (for attaching gear to your webbing or other) and duct tape.

[Drake]

If you want to have a bit of fun with your new rope, you can try reading the US Army FM 5-125 (Riggings); chapter two shows you how to make a variety of knots and explains their uses. Some are quite useful, actually, for a variety of very common applications.

[ThunderCactus]

anything and everything you might ever need cord for lol

[Ace of Spades©]

Thanks for all the info guys. I made a nice lanyard of sorts for one of my folding knifes (yes I have multiple ones...) Sort of an E&E style thing were its going to be attached to my gun belt and then with a velcro loop, attached to my leg, so its still there if I have to ditch both my second and third line...

[TokyoSeven]

Well since nobody else posted it. I might as well. I apologise because I simply could not resist, and no its not the god damn cat video.

YouTube - Boondock Saints - Rope