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Have you ever asked yourself why it’s called “paracord”? Why not just call it a commercial cord or a nylon rope?
Since its creation almost a century ago, it has been known by different names: 550 paracord, 550 cords, mil spec paracord, and Type III paracord. It has become popular among various groups, from soldiers to outdoor adventurers to crafting enthusiasts.
In this article, we’ll explore the origins of paracord’s name and the meaning behind it. We’ll also discuss its key features, important applications in today’s world, and more.paracord manufacturer
The Origin of the Word “Paracord”
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Paracord is short for “parachute cord.” There’s a good reason why it’s called that.
During World War II, The U.S. military needed a lightweight cord that was strong enough to ensure the safe and reliable deployment of parachutes during airborne operations. That’s when they developed the first paracord that served as suspension lines for parachutes. These parachute cords are extremely durable because they undergo rigorous testing to meet military specifications.
Once they landed, paratroopers would often cut their parachute’s suspension lines and use them later for other purposes. They were usually used for securing equipment, making camouflage, and repairing gear, just to name a few.
The original military-grade paracord was made of high-quality nylon. Eventually, the U.S. military switched to cords made of the most advanced materials, which are much stronger and more resistant to wear than nylon cords.
Today, the American troops no longer use military-grade nylon paracord for their round-type chutes. However, it’s still regularly shipped to soldiers who are deployed overseas. Other organizations make paracord accessories, such as bracelets, and give them to new recruits, deployed soldiers, and veterans.
As its reputation as a strong and functional utility cord grew, paracord found a new purpose beyond the military. Nowadays, it’s widely used as a general-purpose cord in many camping gear, survival kits, and DIY projects.
The Composition of Paracord Braided Rope
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As we’ve already mentioned, paracord is typically made of nylon. However, polyester may also be used to make paracord. In general, manufacturers and users prefer nylon because it has a higher tensile strength and feels more natural.
Classified as a kernmantle rope, paracord consists of a kern (core) and mantle (outer sheath). The mantle, which is usually made up of several tightly interwoven strands, provides protection and durability. The core consists of strands (the usual range is 2 to 9) that could be removed and used for specific tasks, such as starting fires and creating accessories.
Paracord is available in a variety of colors, diameters, lengths, patterns, and strengths. In terms of strength, manufacturers often refer to it as “Type” or express it in units of weight (pounds or kilograms).
Here’s a rundown of the paracord types based on their minimum breaking strength and strand count:
- Type I: 95 pounds of breaking strength and 1 inner strand.
- Type II: 275 pounds of breaking strength and 5 inner strands
- Type III: 550 pounds of breaking strength and 7 inner strands
- Type IV: 750 pounds of breaking strength and 11 inner strands
In case you’re wondering, the original paracord the U.S. military uses shares a few features with commercial Type III (or Type 3) paracord. Both have a breaking strength of 550 pounds and have 7 to 9 core strands.
The difference is that mil-spec cords have to undergo different tests to be certified military-grade. Due to its strength and reliability, it’s often a suitable option for heavy duty applications. They also have a colored core strand that serves as a manufacturer’s ID.
What Can You Use It For?
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The beauty of paracord doesn’t lie in its name. It’s in its functionality and strength. Almost anyone can use it, regardless of interest, occupation, or skills. Here are just a few ways people use paracord:
Medical Emergencies
- Create a tourniquet to control bleeding
- Use it as a splint to immobilize fractured or injured limb
- Stitch a wound using the inner strands
Survival Situations
- Put up a temporary shelter
- Make animal traps and snares
- Make fishing lines using the inner strands
Outdoor Recreation Activities
- Can replace tent guy-lines
- Make lanyards that you can attach to knives
- Secure camping gear and equipment outside of your backpack
Crafting
- Paracord types with lower minimum breaking strengths, such as Type I to Type III, are often enough for most crafting and do-it-yourself projects. Some of the things you can make out of paracord are bracelets, keychains, necklaces, pet leashes, and other decorative pieces.
Tactical and Military Operations
- Make tactical bracelets (also called survival bracelets) that have several built-in tools for navigation, signaling, and survival
- Secure supplies and equipment to military vehicle racks or backpacks
- Wrap around the handles of tools and weapons to increase grip
- Securing camouflage nets to trees
- Make a ghillie suit
There are so many other ways you can use paracord ropes. This is by no means an exhaustive list.
The Emergence of Specialized Variations
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The steady demand for paracord throughout the years has led to the development and production of specialized paracord variations. The emergence of specialized paracord types has expanded the potential uses of the already versatile paracord. Let’s take a look at some examples of specialized paracord types:
Conductive Paracord
Conductive paracord is made specifically for do-it-yourself electronic projects, such as creating circuits. In its core, you’ll find a strand with electric conductivity properties (usually a copper wire). This means it allows electricity to travel through it.
Reflective Paracord
Reflective paracord is able to bounce back light rays because reflective fibers are woven into its outer sheath. This makes it a valuable item to have when you or other objects need to be visible in low-light conditions to stay safe.
Fire-Starting Paracord
Fire-starting paracord includes a paraffin-coated strand that easily ignites to get your fire started. It’s your best companion during situations where you need to start a fire as quickly as possible to stay warm, cook meals, and send signals.
Glow-in-the-Dark Paracord
Glow-in-the-dark paracord glows at night because it contains materials (like phosphors) that absorb and emit light. This makes the cord visible in the dark. Like reflective paracord, this type of paracord would be helpful for finding or identifying objects or gear, such as backpack straps and tent guy-lines, at night.
Micro Cord
The micro cord is thinner (0.05 inches thick) than Type I paracord. It has a minimum breaking strength of around 100 pounds. While it’s thin and consists of fewer strands, it’s still useful for many lightweight, non-critical tasks, such as crafting, securing small objects, and sewing.
These are just a few examples of specialized cords. When choosing which ones to buy, make sure to think about the features that best align with your customers’ needs and intended activities. This will help ensure you always have the right services and paracord products in stock.
What’s a Good Paracord Manufacturer with Great Customer Service?
Source: Baiyuheng Outdoors
Determining a “good” paracord manufacturer can be subjective. It depends on the specific needs and requirements of your customers.
As a seller, you need to consider the following when choosing a paracord manufacturer:
- Experience and industry reputation
- Customer feedback
- Certifications and registrations
- Services (e.g., customization)
- After-sale customer support
- Warranty and refund policies
This process can take time and effort. But if you do it right, it can save you from an expensive mistake.
There are hundreds of reputable paracord manufacturers out there. Most businesses source their paracord products from China due to their quality and affordability.
So, if you need a good suggestion, here’s one: Baiyuheng Outdoors.
Company Profile
Baiyuheng Outdoors is a reputable manufacturer of all kinds of outdoor and survival gear. The company’s facility is based in Jiangmen City, China. Aside from their production staff, they also have a dedicated research and development team that ensures their products are a perfect blend of functionality, quality, and aesthetics.
Here are a few good reasons to choose Baiyuheng Outdoors:
- Customization options
- Genuinely listens to their customers’ needs
- Has a friendly and knowledgeable customer support team on standby
- Provides extra services, such as free product photos and samples
- Ships orders on schedule and directly to your mailing address
- Has a low minimum order requirement
Best Paracord Product
Baiyuheng Outdoors has a wide selection of paracord types on their website and e-commerce marketplace accounts. One of them is the Bengku 550 Paracord. This is a nylon cord that’s 4 millimeters thick and has seven inner strands. Like most 550 cords, it can hold up to 550 pounds of static weight, making it suitable for most outdoor and home uses.
Conclusion
In conclusion, paracord is short for parachute cord, a term first coined during the Second World War. Throughout the years, paracord has been called by different names, such as 550 paracord and Type III cord. Whatever name you give it, the fact remains that it’s one of the best tools you can have in your outdoor and survival product catalog.
