Is this 550 paracord or a knock off?

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Apr 9, 2010
11
0
Manchester
Is this real 550 paracord? it has seven strands but the strands are not white them are green and very thin, i bought it from a place called nomads travel,

also please could you tell me how to post a picture because i dont know how :(
 

Waldganger

Forager
Aug 13, 2009
190
0
42
Esperance, WA
can't tell you about the paracord, all mine is white inner strands.

to post a picture you upload to a photo hosting account (photobucket or dropshots etc) and most of the time it will give you a link for forum posting.

will look something like this (I have added spaces so it shows up)

[ IMG ] http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/images/misc/bcuklogo.png [ /IMG ]

which shows up as

bcuklogo.png
 

Waldganger

Forager
Aug 13, 2009
190
0
42
Esperance, WA
is this what you bought?
http://www.nomadtravel.co.uk/catalog/view/paracord-8nl

550 paracord is just a specific type of cord. It is called 550 because it has a breaking strain of 550lbs. The cord I linked doesn't say its 550, but does say breaking weight of 220kgs, which is about equivalent.

The website has some fairly decent gear, I'd say the cord is what it says, just not the 550 you are used to.

I test cord by putting a loop in it, throwing it over a tree and putting a loop in the other end, insert pole and keep pulling at it until it breaks or you lift yourself off the ground.
 
Apr 9, 2010
11
0
Manchester
is this what you bought?
http://www.nomadtravel.co.uk/catalog/view/paracord-8nl

550 paracord is just a specific type of cord. It is called 550 because it has a breaking strain of 550lbs. The cord I linked doesn't say its 550, but does say breaking weight of 220kgs, which is about equivalent.

The website has some fairly decent gear, I'd say the cord is what it says, just not the 550 you are used to.

thank you vary much i will begin to test it sometime today
 

lostplanet

Full Member
Aug 18, 2005
2,124
243
53
Kent
If you are looking for US Milspec Type III 550 (3) paracord or paraline, this is what you should get.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parachute_cord

What I have found with the cheaper or copy cord is that once you have tied a few friction knots the outer sheath melts or snags thats why I only buy 550 milspec and definitely lasts a lot longer.

try supplycaptain for real stuff. http://www.supplycaptain.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_ID=19

The stuff from nomad looks like copy loose weave cord.
 
Last edited:

lostplanet

Full Member
Aug 18, 2005
2,124
243
53
Kent
Looks great, what is the shipping though.?

I am pretty sure its $11 for 100Ft Hank so (check!)

OD Green $7.00 delivery $11.00 $18.00 in GBP £11.60

Bit Pricey but genuine article costs sometimes. Buy 2 or 3 hundred feet at a time.

Ore ask around here, bound top be someone with the odd 50Ft spare...
 

Shewie

Mod
Mod
Dec 15, 2005
24,259
24
48
Yorkshire
You can pick up the US spec stuff on ebay for about £5 for 100ft. I know it's the same as supplycaptain sells as I've bought both.
I went through a stage of buying loads of paracord about 12 months ago and tried loads of different sources. The US stuff is okay but not a patch on the proper stuff we used to get over here a few years ago.
What I call proper paracord is much stiffer and durable than the US stuff, less prone to tangling and less stretchy too I've found.

I've still got some bits left which I got from Kev at Endicotts about 3 years ago, I'll try and dig it out and do some comparison pics. The macro is pretty naff on my camera but I'll try and show the different texture and weave if I can.
 

lostplanet

Full Member
Aug 18, 2005
2,124
243
53
Kent
Yea, I agree the stuff the US are selling Isn't Real Real parachute canopy cord. It's commercial nylon cord that has the name and known as 'paracord' but will never be seen on a real parachute. It's a good bit better than the multi strand/fluffy core carp that some outdoor shops claim is Real 550.

000_0063.jpg


aren't the real parachute canopy cord offered by endicotts for, instance, limited length?
 
Apr 9, 2010
11
0
Manchester
i made a bracelet and sold it for 4.50 so i got my money back :) and still got loads o cord left so not bothered :), it does hold alot of weight but not the real stuff gonna order some from the bushcraft store tyvm :)
 

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