Test your knowledge of Paracord with our list of interesting facts!
- Paracord was first used by the U.S. Military.They would use it for many applications such as attaching equipment to harnesses, tying rucksacks to vehicle racks and for securing camouflage nets to trees or vehicles. However, it's most popular use was it use as suspension lines for parachutes for US paratroopers during World War II.
- Paracord Planet carries paracord that is made of Commercial Grade nylon parachute rope developed to U.S. Military specification, designated Type III MIL-C-5040. This designation means that our paracord has tensile strength of 550 lbs (minimum breaking point). Paracord Planet paracord is composed of seven (7) two ply yarns (kern) with the sheath (mantle) composed of 32 woven strands. The seven inner cords have a tensile strength of 50 lbs each or a total tensile strength of 350 lbs with the covering sheath a total tensile strength of 200 lbs – 550 lb. total minimum tensile strength or 550 CORD!
- Did you know that you can cut paracord without a blade? Yup. Paracord can be cut using nothing but itself and some elbow grease.
- Paracord's first recorded use in the United States was during World War II, where they used it for many of the uses that the military continues to use paracord for today.
- Did you know that a Basic Cobra Bracelet contains over 70 feet of usable cord? Its true! Each bracelet contains about 8-9 feet of #550 paracord which in turn contains 7 individual strands of cord inside. When you add it all up its about 70 feet. A King Cobra Bracelet contains over 120 feet!
- 550 Paracord is the most common paracord used. In addition to the facts listed above, it's also rot, mildew, mold, and UV fading resistant.
So what can you use paracord for?
Paracord can be used for crafting, survival situations, and everyday necessities:
- Crafting: bracelets, key chains, necklaces, belts, rings, and a ton more
- Bigger projects such as DIY hammocks, water bottle slings, chairs, and steering wheel covers
- Catching food: fishing line, lure, and traps
- Injury: arm sling and securing a splint
- Replacement clothes: belt, shoelaces, and zipper pulls
Kernmantle:
- PARACORD or parachute cord is a 'kernmantle' type of rope constructed of nylon.
- The word 'kernmantle' is a Germanic word but it is also used in the Middle English language of the 12th and 13th centuries.
- In Middle English two words are used – the 'kern' and the 'mantle'.
- The word 'kern' means the central part of something or, for example, the central part of a seed (kernel).
- The word 'mantle' means a sheath or a covering of an inner core – an example would be like the 'mantle' is the cocoon for what is to become a butterfly.
- Hence the words 'kernmantle' and 'kernmantle rope'.