Spring Paracord Colors

Spring Colors

Cleaning is not the only thing spring brings!

            And, despite what it looks like, rhyming is not the other thing…The main focus of this blog is on spring colors. If you are like me, you may not pay attention to new color additions or to what colors might be popular given what time of the year it is. Camouflage and blaze orange colors are obvious choices for the fall, red and green for the winter holiday season, but what about other times of the year? For guys (I only say this out of experience), it can be easy to forget to try new colors or colors that might be appropriate for the theme during a specific time of the year. Trust me when I say you can make that black and olive drab ultimate survival bracelet anytime, but now is the perfect time to try a few new colors, perhaps even for mother’s day? I am here to provide you with an easy guide to make all your Paracord projects more festive and unique this spring.

Pink Lemonade

            The key is to decide which direction you want to go with the color. There are great options in all our color varieties, particularly with our neon and multi-colored Paracord. Neon might not be the first type of color that comes to mind when you think of spring, but our neon turquoise, as well as the slightly more traditional yellow, blue and green offer a great way to make a bracelet standout. Our multi-colored Paracord offers a departure from traditional spring colors in favor of creative color combinations you might not have considered before. Colors such as ‘Pink Lemonade,’ ‘Confetti,’ ‘Fairy Tale,’ and ‘Carolina Beach’ offer great combinations of popular spring time colors that will bring any project to life. Also, for the hunters, check out ‘Pink Sky Camo’ and other great camouflage patterns for an awesome twist.

  For the more traditional, our solid colors ‘Lilac,’ ‘Turquoise’ and ‘Light Blue’ offer excellent 550 Paracord without the flash of neon or multi. I also want to take this time to give a shout out to ‘White’ Paracord. Perhaps the most underrated Paracord we carry; ‘White’ is an incredible accent to nearly every Paracord color combination and would be a great spring addition. So whether you are celebrating a holiday or simply happy to finally see something green, give our spring Paracord colors a try!

            Thanks for reading, leave a comment letting me know what colors I missed and like our Facebook page for the latest deals!

Paracord Beads, Charms and Accents

Customer Submission

Paracord Beads, Charms and Accents

Be Unique

We frequently receive emails asking how to make Paracord bracelets more unique. Obviously, there are a plethora of different weaves (although not always easy), hundreds of colors (400 and counting) and hardware (buckles, compasses, etc) available to customize your bracelet with. But many of our customers struggle with how to really make their bracelets unique or give more meaning to them. While there is no universal solution to this ‘identity crisis’ we have found that many of our customers are completely unaware of the beads, charms and accents we offer. Thus, I write this blog today to inform you guys of a ‘hidden gem’ of ours: beads, charms and accents.

Customer Submission

Beads

I begin with beads because I know that many of you will immediately dismiss the notion of putting beads on a Paracord project as childish. Well, if you choose to use beads you could make a project for a child with beads on it and I am sure he or she would love it. But, you could also take your Paracord, choose from our beads ranging from skull beads to roses and make yourself or a loved one, one heck of a Paracord bracelet, necklace or lanyard. Beads are a great way to try something new and give your Paracord a completely different look.

Customer Submission

Charms

If I thought you guys were scoffing at the suggestion of beads, I know you will be raucously laughing at the idea of charms. Hey, charms are not for everyone. But, for the individual looking to customize a bracelet for a special youngster in their life or for someone who just wants to express a passion of theirs, charms are perfect. With the ability to choose anything from a dolphin to a Hope Ribbon “Dangle Bead” charm, it is easy to find the right charm for the right passion or cause.

4PawsSpiritBracelets

Accents

Accents blur the line between charm and bead. They offer a beautiful, non-distracting addition to projects, that can really send a message or make it your own. The Infinity Accent shown here offers a very unique, yet easy to achieve look that goes great with any design. Our 12mm and 25mm Spike Studs are a great way to show a little punk in you or give that dog collar you have been working on a fresh twist. Our accents can appeal to every customer we have and are a great way to truly customize your bracelet.

Thank you for reading guys, comment below and let me know what bead, charm or accent you are going to use and do not forget to like and submit pictures to our Facebook page!

Paracord Fid (Needle)

Image Source: Paracord Planet

Paracord Fids (Needles)

Making your next bracelet just got easier

At least once a week, I try to highlight an innovative or exciting product; this week I want to call attention to one that is going to make your Paracord projects significantly easier. I know this will simplify your life, because we receive this question on a regular basis: “What is the point of a fid, or needle or whatever you call it?” This is a good question, because if you work with Paracord on a limited basis you may think there isn’t much to it. But the more work you do, the more you understand how a fid can help you. I will provide you with some background on the fid and explain how it can improve your projects for very little cost.

Image Source: Maine Historical Society

Fids are traditionally made of bone or wood--obviously the most readily available materials to people living in the rural parts of the world. The basic idea behind a fid is similar to that of a needle—to enable the individual to weave something that they are otherwise unable to weave with their hands—but with rope or cord rather than thread. This ability is particularly important when working with Paracord, because of how fine the cord is and how tight the weaves generally are.

Image Source: Paracord Planet

So why use a fid? Plain and simple, it will enable you to make Paracord projects you currently cannot and it will make your current Paracord projects easier. Everyday examples of this include finishing your bracelets. Yes, it is a small thing, but tucking the ends of your Paracord back into the bracelet to achieve a clean, professional finish can be frustrating; by utilizing a Paracord fid in your work, this becomes a breeze. Another very real way a fid can help you includes when you want to work that beautiful breast-cancer awareness ribbon into your Paracord bracelet while maintaining the tightness and integrity of the Paracord weave. The fid is great for getting in between the Paracord without disrupting your bracelet. A fid can also be quite beneficial for certain weaves such as the Turk’s Head and other tricky ties. A small tool that can make a big difference.

My hope is that this blog answered any questions you may have had about what a fid is or how to use it; you can find all your fids at Paracord Planet. Feel free to comment any questions you may have or tell us what project you are going to use your fid on! Like our Facebook page for great deals and enjoy your new tool!

The Monkey Fist

Image Source: Troy Criswell

The History of the Monkey Fist

Self-defense essential or handy lanyard? YES.

            You have all seen them. Sometimes with spikes, sometimes a ball bearing, probably at the end of the lanyard; the Monkey fist has a rich history rooted in practicality at sea. Sometimes seen as a self-defense gimmick today, it can be easy to forget where the Monkey Fist came from and some of the practical applications it possesses. I am here to show you a little about this historical knot and explain how it can be useful to more people than simply your friendly neighborhood ninja.

Image Source: Pprune.org

            Like many historical knots, the Monkey Fist began at sea as a way to ease the impossibly hard lives of sailors. The Monkey Fist was traditionally tied at the end of a light weight ‘heaving’ line to enable the sailor to easily throw it on shore or to another boat. The knot was frequently wrapped around a rock or a piece of wood to add weight to make it easier to throw. This simple knot actually significantly changed the lives of sailors, because they had previously been subject to working with heavy, extremely cumbersome ropes that were difficult to throw.

Image Source: Gattling-Gun.com

 Naturally, sailors saw the dual-capacity of the Monkey Fist to also be a weapon, calling it the ‘Slungshot.’ Surprisingly effective, the Slungshot was on a much shorter length of rope than the Monkey Fist and was tied around the hand, similar to the way in which many people wield their Paracord Monkey Fist today. The Slungshot continued to be adapted to fit its surroundings because of its simplicity and was used widely by organized crime up until the depression era; variations included the infamous ‘Black Jack.’

Image Source: Rockclimbing.com

Modern applications of the Monkey Fist are as varied as its history. Today, a Monkey Fist can be found wedged in the crack of rock face for a climber, falling from a plane as parachute pull or simply lying in someone’s purse. The great versatility of the Monkey Fist is what makes it such a great knot that really allows the creator to be highly unique. Whether spikes and golf ball are your inclination or you have a proclivity for steel ball bearings, the Monkey Fist is easy to make your own. The Monkey Fist has also never been easier to tie or customize, check out our jigs and ball bearings to get started today!

Image Source: ParacordPlanet.com

Thank you so much for reading, whether you enjoyed it or hated it feel free to leave a comment below or share with your friends. And as always, ‘Like’ our Facebook page for all the latest deals and Paracord news!

Author’s Note: The Monkey Fist is also said to get its name from the way a Monkey Strikes

The Top 5 Ways to Store Paracord

Frederick of Paracord Planet

Keeping it Simple: The Top 5 Ways to Store Paracord

Paracord can be a little tricky to handle at times, today I present you with the top 5 ways to store it

You love having Paracord with you in the field, but how to properly store and travel with it? Paracord is obviously one of the best survival tools to have on hand, the only problem with carrying Paracord is how likely it is to get mixed up with any knives, food or other tools you might have in your pack. Trust me when I say it is not fun to have to try and ‘quick deploy’ some hideous tent stake-Granola bar-Paracord combination. To make it a little more fun, I employed a ranking system along 4 dimensions: time to store, time to deploy, ease of redeployment and aesthetics (we Paracorders are a stylish bunch) on a scale of 1 to 5, 5 being the highest. These methods are ranked from 5 to 1, with 1 being the overall best method.

Image Source: Trekker Outdoors

The Paracord Donut

Time to Store: 3

Time to Deploy: 4

Ease of Redeployment: 2

Aesthetics: 5

Score: 14

The Paracord donut comes in at our 5^th spot mainly because of the time it takes to store and redeploy it. The donut knot is a very good way to store Paracord in terms of both speed of deployment, and aesthetic appearance once finished. However, the chief problem is wrapping the donut initially and re-wrapping it once deployed. It is easy to imagine trying to use this method in the field and getting your Paracord caught on a variety of branches, leaves and rocks. If you are looking to store your Paracord in this way, click here.

Image Source: Wikipedia

Fast Rope

Time to Store: 5

Time to Deploy: 4

Ease of Redeployment: 5

Aesthetics: 2

Score: 16

Also known as the ‘Quick Rope,’ the Fast Rope method of storage is the king of simplicity in the Paracord world. No complicated weaving pattern here, simply extend one hand and do a figure eight pattern between your thumb and pinky finger. Although this method is simple, it does not look particularly good and is much more prone to snagging and accidental deployment than other methods of storage. Instructions on how to make it are provided by YouTube user WheeliePete.

Peanut Butter Jar/ Pop Bottle

Time to Store: 3.5*

Time to Deploy: 5

Ease of Redeployment: 5

Image Source: Field and Stream

Aesthetics: 3

Score: 17

The peanut butter jar method may have won out entirely if not for two factors: preparation and aesthetics. Using a peanut butter jar or pop bottle to store your Paracord is a great idea, but not quite as simple as tying a not. You are definitely going to want to clean the containers out thoroughly beforehand to prevent your Paracord from becoming a sticky—although tasty—mess.  Furthermore, to make the jar as effective as possible you must drill a hole in the lid/cap which can be a pain if you do not have a drill in addition to the likelihood of you breaking a cap before you get it right. The last aspect is appearance, obviously no one really wants a glaring peanut butter label in the field with them, but with a little additional preparation and some camouflage Duct tape, your container will look right at home. Idea Credit: Jim Ratermann.

The Daisy Chain

Image Source: aplusssurvival

Time to Store: 4

Time to Deploy: 4

Ease of Redeployment: 5

Aesthetics: 4

Score: 17

This method is also mentioned in our Shock Cord blog post as great way to store Paracord while making a usable storage chain out of it. The Daisy Chain ranks #2 on our list because it is a nice, simple method that can be made and deployed quickly while looking rather stylish. The main disadvantage is similar to that of the quick rope in which you still risk it getting caught and tangled on things in the field or in your pack. Overall, the Daisy Chain represents a great storage method with simple and straight forward instructions by Reality Survival.

The Spool Tool from TricornE

The Spool Tool

Time to Store: 5

Time to Deploy: 4

Ease of Redeployment: 5

Aesthetics: 5

Additional Functionality: +5

Score: 24

One of our favorite products here at Paracord Planet, the Spool Tool is a great addition to any Paracord arsenal. Ok, so I may have cheated in creating a new ranking dimension just for the Spool Tool, but as the author and fan of the Spool Tool, I can do that. Not only is it extremely easy to quickly wrap your Paracord around the quality-constructed tool, but it also looks sharp and keeps everything neat and tidy. In the spirit of equality I did take off one point because it doesn’t deploy quite as quickly as some of the other methods, but it is still rapid. The Spool Tool receives its bonus because it possesses lighter storage, a cutting blade, fusion notches and a handy spot to clip a carabineer. The Spool Tool is the ultimate mobile Paracord storage method.

Feel free to comment below with your own ranking or tweet us @ParacordPlanet using #ParaStorage to tell us what method should have won. As always, ‘Like’ our Facebook page to stay up to date on our latest deals and giveaways and visit Paracord Planet for the best Paracord available.

Shock Cord

Shock Cord from Paracord Planet

Shock Cord

Finding flexibility in an uncompromising world

            Do you ever find yourself wishing your Paracord were just a bit softer or more flexible? One of the most common complaints we hear about Paracord is how it can be uncomfortable to wear at times, especially for young children. Additionally, customers often request a greater range of flexibility, explaining that while Paracord strength is tremendous, it does not offer much ‘give’ which can make it tough to work with both in the field and when making projects at home. So this week seems like a great week to highlight a Paracord product that has been one of the fastest trending subjects in the Paracord World lately, Shock Cord.         

Shock Cord is becoming increasingly popular as Paracorders are realizing all the possibilities this cord possesses. Shock Cord, which is also known as Bungee or Elastic Shock Cord is anywhere from 5%-25% smaller in diameter than standard 550 Paracord, thus it feels roughly the same to work with only ‘tighter’. Like most Paracord, it is surrounded by an abrasion, mildew and UV resistant Nylon sheath; the difference lies in the core. The heart of Shock Cord is a rubber core that provides approximately 100% elongation. The ‘bounce’ is clearly the most noticeable difference between standard Paracord and Shock Cord and can be just what is needed at times.

The famous 'Paracord Pete' of Paracord Planet

One of ‘those times’ is with a hammock. Paracord hammock’s are notorious for being a somewhat uncomfortable to lie on, the lack of flexibility in the Paracord can be harsh against the back. Similarly, Paracorder’s sometimes enjoy finding an old chair with the bottom worn out and replacing it with Paracord. In both these instances, Shock Cord is the ideal substitute for Paracord; Shock cord still possesses strength while its rubbery nature makes it far more comfortable to put weight on.

Frederick is being tied down with Shock Cord

The uses of Shock Cord go far beyond relaxing in the sunshine, if you enjoy camping, Shock Cord can be a great addition to your pack. Shock Cord is frequently used to make additional storage on packs, while storing extra cord through a daisy chain, which is essentially adding more loops to your pack; perfect for storing water bottles or a hatchet (Video Credit: Reality Survival) . It can be further used in camping to stow cargo whether it be in a canoe or at a campsite. And if you plan on hitting the water, sailors utilize Shock Cord all over the boat from stowing gear to tying down essential ropes.

Shock Cord has also found its way into the hearts of the brave Men and Women who serve this country. Members of the Military commonly use Shock Cord in their Boonie hats to hold foliage or ammunition in place. And to maximize the uses of shock cord, it can be a great replacement for the uncomfortable drawstring found in sweatpants, athletic shorts and other pants; shock cord will give you form-fitting comfort.

Image Credit: Stormdrane

So if you guys are ready to try a new cord that is changing the game, pick up some Shock Cord from the best retailer around Paracord Planet and our unparalleled selection of over 30 Shock Cord colors. As always, be sure to like our Facebook Page so you never miss one of our daily flash sales and please leave a comment letting me know what you are going to use shock cord for!

The Paracord Olympics

The Paracord Olympics

Wishing you could do an Olympic event? Now you can with our Paracord Olympics!

            Every two years the world is blessed with what is arguably the greatest sporting event on our planet, the Olympics. Tomorrow, the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi begin and it forced me to think about what events I would most like to compete in. Naturally, when you have Paracord woven (pun intended) into your life as much as I do, your thought lines converge and I began to wonder what Paracord Projects were analogous with specific Winter Olympic events. Here are a few of the best. (If you are looking for some patriotic Paracord kits, look no further than right here!).

Olympic: Figure Skating 

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Paracord: The Celtic Heart Knot (TIAT)

   

Image Source: AP/ TIAT

            Although figure skating is not my personal favorite, according to a recent poll by US News Figure skating is the most watched sport in the Winter Olympics. With that in mind, I do think figure skating is incredibly elegant and graceful. Figure skating takes strength, but also extreme muscle control and grace, somewhat akin to the Celtic Heart Knot by TIAT. This knot can be tricky, but don’t go Tanya Harding; if you pay careful attention to the instructions you will come away with an elegant knot that is great for a necklace or bracelet. Try our Rose Pink, or any of our other 300+ colors!

Olympic: Speed Skating 

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Paracord: Quick Deploy Bracelet

   

Image Source: AP/Para King

            Watching Speed Skating with Apolo Anton Ohno has to be one of my favorite Olympic Activities. If you have never had the opportunity to watch, it is somewhat akin to sprinting in track except that the athletes all share one lane and have giant razor blades attached to their feet. It is an awe-inspiring combination of strength and determination. Ohno is one of the most decorated speed skaters in U.S. Olympic history and has been in his fair share of spills, but he always comes out on top. That is where I drew the comparison to a Quick Deploy Bracelet, the one pictured here is created with 100% Paracord Planet Paracord by the Para King and can be fast and taken apart faster to have a large amount of Paracord readily available in an instant.

Olympic: Biathlon 

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Paracord: Making a Gun Sling

  

Image Source: Ammoland/TACummings

            The Biathlon has to be one of the most unique events in all of sports. Born of Northern European hunting tradition, the discipline combines the endurance of cross-country with the precision of a world-class marksmanship competition. I found its closest analogy to be that of crafting a Paracord gun sling (video from gearsNtools). Similar to the cross-country aspect of the Biathlon, creating a Paracord rifle sling creates an incredible amount of patience in pursuit of a bigger dream. They also draw on firearm technology in that the Biathlon uses some of the most precise firearms in the world and slings serve to protect and make using your firearms as comfortable to use as possible. If you do endeavor to make a gun sling, keep in mind the cross country aspect of the Biathlon and stay patient, the results will be well worth it.

Olympic: Hockey 

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Paracord: Monkey’s Fist

  

Image Source: Sports Illustrated/Para King

            Few events in Olympic history are as iconic as the moment pictured above, The ‘Miracle’. In 1980, viewed as unimaginable underdogs going into the Semifinal against the seemingly unbeatable Russians, Team USA came up with one of the greatest upsets in the history of modern sports. Team USA went on to win gold and as sports so often do, the significance of the victory transcended the game and had major political implications as the U.S. was still in the middle of the Cold War. Just as Hockey is a game of intricate play design and huge hits the Paracord Monkey’s Fist represents both skill and power. Designed to emulate the unique way in which monkeys whip their arm when striking, the Monkey’s Fist is more than just a neat key-chain, but a capable self-defense weapon in dangerous situations. The weave is not overly difficult to do, but the project is far easier to complete with a Monkey Fist jig from Paracord Planet where you can find all necessary supplies, including ball bearings (The pictured Monkey's Fist is created by Para King using Paracord Planet Paracord).

Olympic: Curling 

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Paracord: Ultimate Survival Bracelet

  

Image Source: CBS

            Alas Curling, one of the most maligned sports in the Olympics for being simply put: ‘strange’. As a native Minnesotan, Curling holds a special place in my heart (Minnesota is a Curling powerhouse!), I myself have never participated, but respect the sport and those athletes that participate in it. People may not see the connection between Curling and Paracord, but trust me it is there. Curling is very unique in the range of skills is requires, teams must be athletic enough to push the rock precisely down the ice at a specific target, but must also have an excellent grasp of strategy and tactics. Curling simply has so many variables ranging from strength to knowing how hard to sweep to which rocks to aim for, that you really need to be prepared for anything. That is why it compares favorably with the idea of the ultimate survival bracelet. Pick Paracord, your array of survival buckles such as a compass, whistle or storage container from Paracord Planet and any Paracord weave you want and make the Ultimate Survival Bracelet so you will always be prepared. (And try Curling!).

I hope after reading this you feel inspired to take on some of these Olympic challenges, maybe while you cheer on Team USA? As always, please like our Facebook page and comment with the Olympic Paracord challenges you are taking on! Let the games begin!

The Jig is Up

The Jig is Up

Why using a Paracord Jig might be just the thing for your next Paracord Project.

Every week I try to highlight a product that is either new, innovative or something I think is being overlooked, this week it is Paracord Jigs. Whether I get asked directly or see it on the internet, people are wondering if they should be using a Paracord jig or if it is just for the experts/professionals out there. That decision is of course up to you, but I will highlight some of the utilitarian benefits of Paracord jigs and explain why they are appropriate for everyone to use.

For those of you who don’t already know, a Paracord jig looks like this:

The jig is designed to help assist in making different Paracord projects by holding cord in place so you are free to use both hands. The jig also has a ruler which enables you to get the exact right amount of cord for your project. I am a bigger guy with bigger hands and when I work with Paracord it can look like something out of Of Mice and Men; the Paracord Jig provide a nice stable base from which to work. Having made Paracord products both ways, I have found using a jig makes a world of difference for me.

Although they may be a slightly price-prohibitive compared with other Paracord projects, Jigs are also extremely versatile and if you plan on Paracording into the future I strongly suggest picking one up. Whether it is a bracelet, gun sling, or monkey’s fist, Paracord jigs can make your life a lot easier and more organized. If you plan on doing any sort of professional Paracord projects, even if it is just selling bracelets at school, I strongly encourage you to grab a jig to really make your measurements as precise as possible. Paracord Planet has a great selection and happens to be having a sail currently going on, so hop over and find the right jig for you!

As always, be sure to check Paracord Planet's Facebook page for the latest deals, share and comment and let me know what kind of amazing projects you have made with a jig!

Knottology Illuminator: Lighting up Your World

Knottology Illuminator: Lighting up Your World

How a little buckle can make a big difference in your Paracord world.

As I was struggling to see the keyhole of my home and had to first pull off my gloves in -20 degree weather and then fish around for my phone as my fingers slowly lost feeling, I thought to myself: There has to be a better way. Upon returning to work the next day I was looking through some of the products and realized the answer was right in front of me, the Knottology IlluminatorBuckle. This little buckle incorporates a light into a standard metal buckle for one terrific tool.

Completely unobtrusive, the Illuminator is only slightly larger than a standard buckle and possesses a surprisingly bright 15 lumen LED light. The light can be easily accessed from a button conveniently located on top of the buckle that can be pressed by even the most heavily gloved hand (trust me!). Housed in a sturdy, water resistant metal body this little light can handle any adventure you can, yet it is still practical for everyday use (such as saving a few fingers). As a hunter I am also thrilled about having a small convenient light when I need it, especially as I fumble around my pack for my flashlight.

I personally plan on incorporating this into my next Paracord bracelet as well as my key lanyard. I appreciate the fact that the Illuminator is available in three different colors (Silver, Gun Grey and Black) from Paracord Planet, making it easy to incorporate into almost any color scheme or camo pattern.

At $10.99, the mighty little Knottology Illuminator Buckle is a product I have become fascinated with and believe should be incorporated onto pretty much every Paracord anything.

As always, be sure to check Paracord Planet's Facebook page for the latest deals, share and comment!

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