A Fond Farewell

A Fond Farewell

After four months it is time to say goodbye

Sam                        Jack

            As an intern, it has been my sincere pleasure and honor to be able to blog for Paracord Planet for the last four months. This opportunity has taught me an incredible amount about Paracord, Paracord products and the passion all you Paracorders have. I have been able to interact with fans in a way I never imagined and have had the opportunity to interview the biggest name in Paracord. I always knew my time here was limited, but I never knew I would learn so much. Trying to avoid sounding too dramatic, it has been an amazing experience and I hope I was able to offer some small amount knowledge, entertainment or fun to you the readers on par with what you have given me.

            With all that being said, I am happy to welcome a new intern to the blog who will be taking the reins from this point forward, Jack Yakowicz. Jack is an extremely talented writer with a budding love for Paracord who will bring you creative content on a regular basis. I just wanted to take this blog to thank all of you who take the time to read this, I hope you continue to engage and interact with Paracord Planet through our website, social media and of course this blog; stay tuned for Jack’s debut blog.

Sincerely,

Sam Lastovich

Paracord Hose Weave

Paracord Hose Weave

The latest innovation for your Paracord

            When I sit down to blog every week I try to either think of an innovative or unknown product; or I try to find some idea or concept that is relevant to your life that might just benefit you in some small way (the secret is out…). After scouring the internet for new ideas this week, I believe I have found one that will help you out. The idea is simple and not one bit revolutionary, but it might just save you a few bucks over the years: wrap your garden/outdoor hoses with Paracord. This is a great idea to keep in mind as many of us are dusting off our hoses for the first time this spring.

Image Source: dan_w84

            The knot itself is quite simple and can be accomplished through a multitude of different ties including the Cobra Weave (I have included a link below to the instructables page where user dan_w84 has wrapped a drink bladder tube), but the concept is a solid one and holds various implications. First, it is a good way to protect your hoses which are frequently dragged across rocks, bricks, tar, etc. Hoses are vulnerable to being punctured and torn, particularly the thinner, more flexible garden hoses. Second, it is an easy way to color-code your hoses so you always know what is running to where. Lastly, (this may seem like a cop-out) but depending on the hose and where you are using it you will have a small length of Paracord on you, and that is always a good thing!

Image source: dan_w84

Short and sweet as they say, I hope this blog gives you a little something to do this weekend that might actually make a difference for you in the long run!

Thank you for reading! Be sure to like your Facebook page so you never miss a deal!

 Many thanks to dan_w84 for his inspiration!
http://www.instructables.com/id/Paracord-Drink-Bladder-Tube-Cover/step4/null/

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!

Survival Kit

Survival Kits

They are not just for Preppers anymore

            ‘Preppers’ are one of the hottest topics in the news lately. Some like to make them out to be radicals, others herald them as visionaries. Whatever your stance is on Preppers, one thing can be agreed upon: they are prepared. It might sound ridiculous, but even if you are not stacking boxes of instant oatmeal and toilet paper in your basement to wait out a 30-year nuclear winter, it never hurts to be “Always Prepared” as the Boy Scouts advise us. So what does it mean to be prepared? Being prepared takes on a different definition for everyone, but most can agree on a few essentials stored in a bag to enable you to ‘grab and go’ in a moment’s notice; we will cover those here. *Note this is not a comprehensive list, rather the basics.

Duck Tape®

Perhaps the most obvious of essential supplies, Duck Tape® posses the extreme versatility that makes it a cornerstone of survival supplies. Duck Tape® is fantastic because it is strong, light and waterproof while coming in a wide variety of colors and even sizes. Considered to be the ‘redneck toolkit,’ it is a must of any survival kit and can be conveniently purchased in a wide variety of colors at Paracord Planet.

Knife

It is hard to do much in a survival situation without a sharp knife. The applications are nearly endless from cutting various items to self-defense; knives are a crucial part of the basic survival kit. They can be found at Outdoor Bunker for a very reasonable price.

Flash Light

Flashlights are a survival item that are nice to have, but can be a bit of a luxury. They are not essential, but can really come in handy in a multitude of different situations. The downfall is the batteries; it is a good idea to keep a good supply of these in a waterproof bag, also in the survival kit. It also a good idea to provide a waterproof zip-lock type bag if the flashlight is not waterproof; however this flashlight is, so you need not worry.

Blanket

A survival blanket takes many shapes and forms, but it is best if it light and reflects as much body heat as possible. It seems like a small thing, but having something simple that works in the rain, with or without fuel, to keep you warm can be the difference between life and death. Grab something simple like this to be well-protected.

Water Bottle Filter/Purifying Water Drops

An often forgot portion of a survival kit, a water filter and/or water drops are extremely necessary. No one wants to catch a nasty case of beaver fever and lose what little food they had. Filters and purifiers go a long way towards preventing this and are extremely easy to use. They are even easier to find at Paracord Planet.

First Aid Kit

Another must for a survival bag; a first aid kit such as this provides all the essentials ranging from Gauze to Aspirin. Do not underestimate the importance of bandages and pain relief in a survival situation. They also conveniently come in bags to keep everything together and are available at Outdoor Bunker.

MREs

This category could also be labeled ‘Food’ as it is obviously essential to keep food in your grab and go bag. However, MREs are particularly handy in terms of their convenience, shelf life and variety. They may not be a five star dinner, but they will do just fine in a pinch. Check them out here.

Paracord/ Spool Tool

You all knew it was coming, so I saved the best for last. Paracord is an absolute survival essential, with a list of uses longer than Rip Van Winkle’s beard it is a must have for any kit. Whether you need to fashion a lean-to, tie up a bag or cut down a tree, Paracord can help you. It also comes in a multitude of different varieties from Paracord Planet to best meet all of your needs whether you are looking for true Mil-Spec or Glow-In-The-Dark. It is obviously important to keep several hanks in your survival kit, but do not underestimate the power of a survival bracelet outfitted with a compass, or storage, or a whistle or a light, or all four!

The Spool Tool is another great survival tool that provides an excellent way to store your Paracord while conveniently keeping a blade, and lighter (sold separately) together in your bag. I would recommend it as an essential part of your grab and go bag.

There are many other great additions to a survival kit that I could not fit on this list so here are the honorable mentions:

Sewing needle and thread, Pepto Bismal, Alcohol/disinfectant wipes, a map and bug spray. For a more 

complete list click here.

Let me know what you are going to be building your survival kit with and be sure to 'Like’ our Facebook page to find all the best deals!

750 Paracord

750 Paracord

Paracord Planet

Have you ever just wanted a little more ‘oomph?’

            550 Paracord is great, we all know that, but if you are a red-blooded American like myself, sometimes you just need a little more. Whether it is based on necessity or just peace of mind, 750Paracord has an added 200 pounds of tensile strength to put your mind at ease. The ‘Closer’ as I fondly call it, is one of the most unique Paracord types we offer and just so happens to be one of the best kept secrets in Paracord.

Paracord Planet

            The fundamental difference between 750 Paracord and 550 Paracord is the number of yarns in the cord. 550 Paracord consists of 7 yarns of Paracord, each comprised of 3 strands. 750 is unique in that it offers 11 yarns each made of 3 strands for 200 pounds of added strength. Despite these modifications, 750 Paracord is still only approximately 1/32 of an inch bigger than 550 Paracord, making it surprisingly easy to work with.

Image Source: Outdoor Life

            Ultimately, 750 Paracord is a very unique type of Paracord that can be great to have around. My personal suggestion is to have a length—possibly a hank—in your survival bag. These ‘Grab and Go’ bags are predominantly prepared among survivalists to have the bare essentials at the ready in a moment’s notice. 750 Paracord makes a great addition to survival kits in particular because it pays to be extra-prepared in survival situations.  

            Of course, our 750 cord is not only strong, but also comes in a variety of colors to enable you to use it in your regular Paracord projects. And as always, it will never rot or mildew and it is made in the USA!

Thanks for reading guys, drop a comment below to let me know what you are going to use 750 Paracord for and like our Facebook Page to stay up to date on the latest deals.

Duct Tape or Duck Tape®?

Duct Tape or Duck Tape®?

 The real story behind the world’s handiest product

Few household products have inspired such a following as Duck Tape®, but how did this acrobat of adhesion come about? In honor of the fact that we recently started carrying Duck Tape® I thought I would offer some history behind this utilitarian wonder, and how it came to be the mainstay of junk drawers across America.

Duck Tape® is entrenched in anecdotal evidence referencing its original use as ‘duct’ tape and how similar the name was to the ‘duck’ animal and so on, but here are the facts. The first ‘duck tape’ was in fact strips of cotton duck cloth—a thick woven cloth made of cotton—that had a variety of applications from reinforcing shoes to wrapping steel cable. In fact, the cables of the iconic Brooklyn Bridge were first covered in linseed oil before being wrapped in duct tape. Adhesive tapes were used throughout the early 1900s but Revolite, know today as Permacell—a branch of Johnson & Johnson—was the first to create and adhesive version of duck cloth, for medical use.

Duck Tape as we know it today was created by Revolite after a factory worker suggested soldiers in WWII needed a tape to waterproof their ammunition cases. President Franklin D. Roosevelt required the tape keep moisture out while also capable of being torn by hand. Johnson & Johnson met this challenge through the use of duck tape with waterproof polyethylene on one side and gray adhesive “Polycoat” on the other. Macgyver’s best friend quickly became one of the most popular and practical products in the military, used to repair everything from vehicles to weapons. Some of the name confusion comes from the military nicknaming the product “duck tape,” no one can ever be sure if it was a result of the waterproof characteristics of the duck animal, its base of cotton duck tape or the military amphibious duck vehicle. Regardless, the name stuck!

After WWII the ‘duct’ vs. ‘Duck’ confusion centered on contractors using modified versions of duck tape for heating and cooling ducts. The tape was modified from its traditional military olive drab to the iconic gray color most of us think of today to match such ducts. In 1971, the rights to Duct Tape were purchased by Jack Kahl and he rebranded the product as the Duck Tape® we know today. Since its rebranding, Duck Tape® has become a national fascination, offered in over 20 colors and patterns. Paracord Planet is proud to offer this innovation icon in a variety of colors, styles and sizes on our website. Who knows, it may just got perfectly with your next Paracord project?

What is your favorite Duck Tape® style? Feel free to comment below and let us know! As always, be sure to our ‘Like’ our Facebook page for the latest Paracord—and now Duck Tape®--sales and news! Plus check out our HUGE variety of Duck Tape®! 

Polyester Paracord

Image Source: Paracord Planet

Polyester Paracord

This week we breakdown Polyester Paracord, is it really just an afterthought to Nylon?

            I have written about unknown and misunderstood products in the past, but perhaps none are quite as maligned as Polyester Paracord. Polyester has long been considered the black sheep of the Paracord family with no real home, always playing second-fiddle to Nylon. The general public assumes Polyester Paracord must in some way be inferior, but today I will explain that although they have their differences, it is how you use the Paracord that determines its value. You may want to start adding Polyester to your Paracord adventures immediately.

Image Source: Camping Life

            So what are the real differences between Polyester and Nylon Paracord? The first characteristic Paracorders notice when working with the two cords is the difference in feel. Many users believe Polyester is ‘rough’, making it less comfortable to work with. I am not here to say anyone is incorrect in feeling this way, only to point out that my marketing intern hands have no problem working with it. There is a difference in the material texture, but in my opinion it is slight and certainly does not impair the use of Polyester Paracord.

            Another difference the user will notice is the ‘stretch’; this is not necessarily a negative characteristic, in fact, depending on how the cord is being used, it can be a definite positive. Nylon has far more ‘give’ or stretch than Polyester; thus both are highly practical, depending on the situation. In instances where elasticity is a necessity such as mooring lines on a sailing vessel, Nylon is preferred. On the contrary, when hoisting supplies as most campers do to keep them away from bears; Polyester Paracord is preferable because it will not stretch out overnight.

            The last key difference between Polyester and Nylon is the price. Both cords are extremely competitively priced from Paracord Planet with Nylon at $9.25/100 ft hank and Polyester costing $8.49/100 ft hank, but Polyester has the added incentive of saving you around $4 every 500 feet! Add the price difference to the fact that like Nylon Paracord, Polyester Paracord does not rot, and you can begin to see the merit of Polyester.

Image Source: Paracord Planet

            Ultimately, when choosing your Paracord it is imperative to have a clear picture of what you intend to use it for. Paracord planet offers eight different types of Paracord ranging from standard 550 Nylon to 550 Polyester and Micro Cord so you will be properly outfitted for every project. It is important to keep in mind the weight tests of each Paracord you are considering as well as the difference in elasticity to make sure you will not be surprised by anything. Make sure you think of Polyester when considering your next Paracord Project!

Please comment below with your thoughts on Polyester or any other type of Paracord you like to use and be sure to ‘Like’ our Facebook Page to stay up to date on all the best daily deals!