Comments

1. David Deitsch says

   May 16, 2014 at 3:35 pm

   Great project;thanks for sharing. I use a lot of paracord with my gear, but paracord does have the tendency to get slippery when wet or sweaty. A useful alternative is rubber. It stays “grippy” when wet and absorbs shock better than paracord. I use surgical drainage tubes called “cigarette drainage tubing,” which is available from medical supply vendors (no prescription necessary). Or, I get a bicycle inner tube, slice it into long strips about 1/4 inch (6 mm) wide, and wrap the tool handle as indicated in your tutorial. Two cautions apply: do not use rubber if you or someone in your group is allergic to latex, and understand that rubber is less durable than paracord, and will have to be replaced eventually if the tool is used often or stored under harsh environmental conditions. Rubber is gripper, paracord is more durable. Which is best depends on how you plan to use the tool.

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   • Stephanie says

     May 19, 2014 at 8:07 am

     Cool. Thanks!

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2. tirod says

   August 9, 2023 at 5:08 pm

   I’ve done this with a knife or two, of recent note a new hunting knife I purchased won’t get paracord – it will get soaked in blood making for a messy situation, it will stink once bacteria bloom in it, and it’s unsafe around food prep in camp. That knife will get Talon grip material on that, not a porous, absorbent and unsanitary handle.

   Of course, once contaminated, using that same cord as an expedient ridgeline, or shoelace, it’s not going to be pleasant with any nearby insects attracted to it. Same with any other normal foods, too.

   For hunting and food prep, it’s better to have handles appropriately fabricated which don’t promote disease or become an attractive nuisance. And if in bear country, it’s not wanted to have blood attractant strapped onto your body, altho your fellow hikers won’t mind your voluntary sacrifice. Think twice about what knife could be improved with paracord – and that goes to any knife that is exposed to salt water, too. Its just more work every time you need to flush all your equipment, unwrapping it every time to prevent corrosion isn’t a plus.

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