You Ain't Messing With My Click: The 5 Coolest Paracord Buckles

You Ain't Messing With My Click

The 5 Coolest Paracord Buckles

Nobody has respect for a cashier. Stick with me; I have a point to make. I spent three years working as a cashier at my hometown Target store. My days were replete with half-hearted conversations, redundant coupon scanning, and the occasional “hey, that’s not that price!!” I was rarely thanked, and seldom bestowed sympathy for my mundane job. However, without me, a transaction could not be completed, a customer could not exit our store, and our company would receive no profit. Likewise, a paracord bracelet is incomplete without a buckle (OK, there’s a few exceptions, but let me make my point). We often overlook the importance of the buckle that will ultimately complete our project. I mean, we don’t call it a “paracord BUCKLE bracelet.” This post is dedicated to the underappreciated paracord hardware out there. The five buckle options discussed below not only clinch and clasp our paracord jewelry, but also illustrate the covert coolness that can be the difference between an ordinary and extraordinary bracelet.

#5: The Aluminum Buckle

I admit to some nepotism, here, as my paracord bracelet—which was finished with an aluminum buckle—is my baby. The aluminum buckle has two main attributes that give it a leg up on its plastic predecessor: first, it’s flashy. The shiny metal exterior helps add a more aesthetically pleasing look to one’s bracelet, and contrasts perfectly with the cordage weaved around it. Second, the aluminum buckle is heavy duty. The durability of your buckle should not be understated. It’s important to have a buckle that can withstand the natural wear-and-tear that will occur during its tenure around your wrist. An aluminum buckle is able to offer longevity. Paracord Planet’s aluminum buckles can be purchased here. 

#4: The Whistle Buckle

Since this blog post has already discussed my troubled past with jobs, it’s time for me to bring up another stint from my past; I used to referee in-house basketball games. Having a hard time retaining my attention during those games, I was often yelled at by parents and coaches. Get your head in the game, Ref!! Blow your whistle. I now hate whistles. However, I will swallow my pride and admit to the benefits of a whistle buckle. While you are out in nature with your paracord bracelet, having a whistle can be a great asset. The whistle buckle can both curb the chances that you or that someone in your group will get lost during a hike through the woods. Paracord Planet’s whistle buckles can be purchased here.

#3: The Reflective Dog Collar Buckle

Do-it-yourselfers have found a real niche in the market for paracord puppy accessories. Harnesses, leashes, and toys are amongst the numerous items that are weaved with paracord. No item is more popular, however, than the paracord dog collar. For those of you who create these awesome collars, I would highly suggest the use of a reflective buckle to conclude your collar crafting. Using this reflective buckle is a precautionary initiative more than anything else, protecting your dog by making him/her more visible on a late-night walk. Make cars aware of your pup’s presence when crossing the street by equipping the doggy collar with this awesome buckle. Paracord Planet’s reflective buckles can be purchased here. 

#2: The Fire-Starter Buckle

When my co-worker first told me that his buckle could start a fire, I thought he was joking. Sure man, I thought, and my buckle can predict the weather. After trying out the flint-rod buckle for myself, I’m a believer. The applications of this flint-rod buckle are infinite! Whether you’re trapped in the middle of the wilderness, or aiming to impress a crush at a summer bonfire, let your buckle help you out. The seven interior strands inside paracord’s outer shell can seamlessly transform into kindling, and your buckle can be used to set that kindling aflame. Before you know it, you will have erected a fire from near nothing, and be able to stay warm in a testing climate. Watch this video to see how it works, and check out Paracord Planet’s flint rod, fire-starter buckles here.

#1: The Secret Handcuff Key Buckle

There’s nothing scarier than a prankster friend who owns a pair of handcuffs. We’ve all had that friend who takes a neighborhood game of “Cops and Robbers” a little bit too far, right? I wish I had a secret handcuff key buckle back then. Whether you’re in a bind like I was, illegally detained, or simply wishing to have a back-up key in the event that your original one goes missing, I would highly suggest purchasing this buckle. The Secret Handcuff Key Buckle takes the cake when it comes to cool paracord bracelet buckles. Watch this video to see how it works, and check out Paracord Planet’s secret handcuff key buckle here. 

Special shoutout to Joe Medina for the photography and editing.

Make sure to like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, add us to your Google+ circles, check out our Pinterest, and add us on Snapchat at "ParacordPlanet." We love hearing from our fans and giving them the opportunity to win FREE merchandise from contests on all of our social media venues! Comment in the section below with any future topics you'd like to see us discuss in our next blog...

Written by: Jackson Yakowicz, P2 Intern

Contact at jacksony@imsetc.com

To read more of Jack's work, view his full blog.

5 Paracord Projects for the Couch Potato

5 Paracord Projects for the Couch Potato

Consolidating your electronic addiction & paracord passion

My reliance on my iPhone is almost embarrassing. This past winter, my mom treated our family to a vacation to the Riviera Maya in Mexico. Most people would have been satisfied with the tranquility provided by the beach waves, but the entire week we were down there I was like an addict experiencing withdrawals. No wi-fi?! No 4G connection?! What was I to do with myself?! Like I said, it’s embarrassing. However, I am not alone in my addiction to technology. The rapidity of life in the technological era leaves us feeling excluded if we can’t see the most recent Facebook posts, or receive texts from friends and family. Here at Paracord Planet, however, we have a company-wide devotion to the great outdoors. Our products are ready to be utilized in an assortment of outdoor adventure and survival situations. To instill in our readers a love for paracord, however, we realize that we have to also succumb to the fact that we’re competing with technology. So, why not consolidate technology and survival gear by introducing you to a few ways you can improve your technological devices with paracord?! Listed below are five great paracord projects for the couch potato to undertake that involve enhancing and protecting their electronics.

#1: Phone Charger Protection Wrap

Image from Life Hacker

“Stay, stay, please, stay,” Jack whispers to his phone. He watches as the lightning-shaped icon blinks on and off. The end of his charger is so badly frayed that it’s a guessing game every morning as to whether or not he will wake up with any battery remaining. We’ve all been there, right?! Nothing is more agitating than an inoperable phone charger, and a $30-$40 replacement fee leaves us feeling hopelessly defeated. Lucky for you, there’s a more cost-efficient route to pursue. Wrapping the end of your phone charger with protective paracord is a surefire way to alleviate any emotional irritation caused by a faulty or frayed charger. Here’s a tutorial on how to create your own phone charger protection wrap. 

#2: Paracord Headphone Sleeves

Image from Instructables

Music brings me sanity. I always have my headphones on me—when I’m at work, when I’m at the gym, and even when I’m trying to fall asleep. The upsetting reality behind this headphone dependency is that I can spend upwards of fifteen minutes in every day untangling the cords I balled up in my pocket. Whether you’re an avid music listener, or occasional earphone wearer, the overwhelming disdain for tangled cords is universal. By encasing your headphones in a paracord sleeve, your day has one less hassle to deal with. Here’s a tutorial on how to create your own paracord headphone sleeves.

#3: Paracord Flash Drives

Image from Load Out

Paracord puts the “flash” in flash drive. Sorry, that was a corny introduction. It’s true, though! Paracord, as bracelet and necklace wearers everywhere have learned, is the recent buzz in do-it-yourself fashion. Why not add some paracord to the outside of your flash drive?! Covering your flash drive in a paracord weave is sure to make your USB harder to misplace, as it adds a more visible shell as well as a nifty hook that can attach to a keychain or lanyard. With just a few feet of spare-a-cord, you can weave your own flash drive wrap. Here’s a tutorial on how to create your own paracord flash drive.

#4: Paracord Phone Stand

Image from Instructables

Here’s a fun one for the smart phone crowd. With the aid of some metal wire (found in a coat hanger, for example), the outside casing of your paracord can be used to make an ever functional phone stand. The paracord shell around the metal wire helps keep this stand phone-friendly, and aesthetically pleasing. Keeping your phone in a stand is a great idea for you to consider at the office, as calls can be seen and responded to with greater ease, and spills and messes are diverted from the direction of your device. Here’s a tutorial on how to create your own paracord phone stand.

#5: Paracord Extension Cord Lock

Image from Instructables

We all remember different things about the day we moved into our college dorm room. Most people remember the long goodbye with their parents, while others remember the battle over who gets bottom bunk. I, however, remember thinking 'shoot, there’s only 2 plug-ins in this entire room.' Extension cords became a necessity for me, which created a set of subsequent issues as these cords would frequently fall out of the plug. I wish I had known then what I know now. Paracord can solve your extension cord headache by acting as a makeshift cord lock. Here’s a tutorial on how to create your own paracord extension cord lock.

Make sure to like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, add us to your Google+ circle, and check out our Pinterest. We also can be found on Snapchat at "ParacordPlanet." On all of our social media locations, we are frequently posting about contests and giveaways, which are major opportunities for you to win FREE paracord!! 

Written by: Jackson Yakowicz, P2 Intern

Contact at jacksony@imsetc.com

For more of Jack's work, view his full blog.

Much Ado With Near Nothing

Much Ado With Near Nothing

Three awesome projects for your paracord scraps

Image from Instructables

Aside from monsters under the bed, the most frightening idea for me as a child was to be forced to eat my entire broccoli. I hated broccoli.  I knew that, my mom knew that, and so did Liza, our trusty old dog who sat under my chair at the dinner table to receive my unwanted food remains. Still, every night there would be a portion of broccoli on the edge of my plate. “Jackson,” she would plead with me, “there are thousands of hungry children out there that would kill for this broccoli right now.” I always imagined that there were thousands of hungry children that would rather have a burger. Regardless, I caught a lot of grief as a child for not finishing my plate. We all have wasteful tendencies, whether it be the wasting of our money, our talent, or our broccoli. My New Year’s Resolution this year was to stop being so wasteful in all aspects of my life; Now, it’s my turn to instill in my readers a sense of frugality when it comes to their crafting. With 100 feet or more of paracord in one’s arsenal, crafters often have the tendency to reach the end of their hank or spool and simply dispense any remaining scraps. Well, in the famous words of a red octagonal sign: “STOP.” The ends of paracord hanks should be utilized, as there are many craft creations that only require inches of cord. Listed below are three awesome projects for you to undertake with your excess paracord scraps.

#1: The Paracord Ring

Image from Etsy

If diamonds are a girl’s best friend, that’s only because the girl hasn’t met paracord yet. Unlike diamonds, you don’t have to put a mortgage on your house to afford a little cord. When you are making a bracelet, whether it is monochromatic or multi-colored, why not save a few scraps to make a matching ring? A paracord finger ring only requires six to eight inches of cord and is remarkably easy to weave. To make your own paracord ring, check this out.

#2: The Paracord Fishing Lure

Image from Paracord Forum

From my previous blog, “Gone Fishing,” you might recall this unique use of paracord scrap for the fisher. Constructing a fishing lure out of the end of a paracord hank or spool is a great idea because of the simplicity. Fray the end of a hank, pull out and spread apart the seven strands composing the inside of the paracord, and run a hook through the makeshift lure. Stow away some extra paracord scraps into your tackle box, and you’ll have a long day ahead of you on the lake! To make your own paracord fishing lure, check this out.

#3: Paracord Lash-Points

Image from Bushcraft USA Forum

There’s a certain beauty that resides in subtlety. A lash-point on the side of a backpack or bag is rarely noticed but highly efficient. With only two to four inches of paracord, you can construct your own lash-point by singeing the ends of the scrap, and stitching the scrap to your bag, making sure to leave gaps. The gaps in this handmade lash-point can be used to hold a carabiner, or simply to have extra paracord on you while you are outdoors. If nothing else, some colorful paracord can add a little pizzazz to your bag. To make your own paracord lash-point, check this out.

The most wonderful part of paracord is that it is so functional that the possibilities are limitless. That feature is not compromised even if you’re only working with a few inches of paracord. I challenge you readers to cultivate your own idea to make use out of paracord scraps. Shakespeare was on to something: there truly is much ado with near nothing. To participate in contests and giveaways to win free paracord, make sure to like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, add us to your Google+ circle, and check out our Pinterest. We also are now on Snapchat under the username “ParacordPlanet,” and would love to interact with our fans!!

Written by: Jackson Yakowicz, Paracord Planet Intern

Contact at jacksony@imsetc.com

For more of ParacordPlanet, view our full blog.

Camp Paracord

Camp Paracord

What paracord bracelets can teach kids about survival

It’s a Sunday afternoon in early July. I’m in the backseat of a 2002 Dodge Durango as my mom and dad discuss mundane matters in the front seat. I feel an ironic blend of everything—nervous, excited, anxious, ecstatic, fatigued, awakened. We’re driving east on 94 from the southern Twin Cities towards Amery, Wisconsin, home of “Camp Wapo.” This is summer for me. Eleven years removed from my first stay at Camp Wapo, the memories are engrained in my brain indefinitely. Wapo is where I discovered my independence. Everybody has their own camp story. Summer camps began emerging in the late 1880s in North America as a means for children to become more acquainted with nature. Growing exponentially in popularity, the summer camp tradition is as strong as ever today, and programs continue to expand and adapt based on modern trends. When I was attending summer camp, for example, we didn’t have the luxury of paracord during our bracelet making sessions. We were left with measly yarn to braid. Don’t get me wrong, I still tried to woo the ladies with those prehistoric bracelets, but I regret not being able to craft with paracord. The superior look, on top of the infinite survival applications, makes paracord crafting a necessity for children attending summer camp. Listed below are a handful of situations in which a paracord bracelet can teach summer camp attendants about survival in the great outdoors.

Building a Campfire

Image from Kickstarter

I would equate the moment a child learns that his/her bracelet can create a fire to the moment a caveman discovered fire in the first place. Wide-eyed with possible salivation, children will be fascinated to learn that the rope around their wrists has the power to ignite an orange glow. The seven strands inside the paracord shell are perfect for kindling, and the flint rod buckle, as shown here, can create a spark to ignite that kindling. The fire that will ensue will teach children about building a campfire, but more importantly, about surviving in nature in the future.

Rigging a Makeshift Fishing Pole

Image from High Country Bowhunter

If you went to summer camp away from a lake or ocean, did you really go to summer camp at all? Summer camp for a handful of children is the first time they ever learn how to fish. Whether an amateur or self-described pro, making a fishing rod out of a paracord bracelet is presumably a new craft for all levels of fisher[child]. In an actual survival situation, it’s rare that you will have the luxury of a rod and tacklebox to help you gather fish to eat. However, if you have a bracelet you are able to construct lining as well as make bait out of paracord. With paracord, a branch or woodblock, and a hook, you have all you need to catch some dinner. Summer campers will love this fishing lesson! 

Being used for First Aid

Image from Team OTG Survival

The first real injury that I witnessed was at camp. A group of us guys from the same cabin were playing some soccer in our free time one afternoon. Ben, a member of this cabin gang, went to retrieve the ball and ended up tripping on a stick, nearly impaling his chest. The stick was sharp enough to cut him up pretty good, and we rushed him over to the counselor to tend to his injuries. If we had had a paracord bracelet, we would have been able to treat the injury a little better right then and there. The first aid uses include, but are not limited to, building a splint, sewing a wound, making a tourniquet, and constructing a stretcher. Camp-goers should learn just how useful their paracord bracelets can be in the wilderness when a first aid kid is not available. 

Summer camp is not only a time for fun and entertainment, but it's also an opportunity to capitalize on children's fascination. Allow paracord to make your camp experience a fun and informative one! Make sure to like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, add us to your Google+ circle, and check us out on Pinterest! ALSO, we are now on Snapchat, under the username "ParacordPlanet." For opportunities to win free paracord products, make sure to check out all of our social media outlets!!

Written by: Jackson Yakowicz, Paracord Planet Intern

Contact at jacksony@imsetc.com

For more of Jack's work, view his full blog.