There is a lot of crap sold as 550 cord that isn’t actual 550 cord. I order all of mine through Atwood rope company, it’s made in the USA, and seems to be every bit as strong as claimed to be.
I’ve never come across any 550 cord that wasn’t 7 strand, but I’ve been picky about what I buy for a while.
I’ve gotten 5 strand cord before, don’t recall where exactly but I think it was a random Amazon retailer many years ago. I’ve since stopped buying things from random Amazon retailers.
I also picked up some stuff a couple of years ago that is 10 strand paracord. Same 7 strands as normal, but also with a waxed waterproof strand meant for tinder, a strand meant for fishing line and a strand of simple cotton thread for sewing and even wound closure. I got 100 feet of it a few years ago and promptly forgot about it until this thread got me thinking about pararcord.
Sewing is another piece of handy, lightweight kit that’s often overlooked for sexier things like throwing knives. Can you repair your clothes, gear and shelter in a pinch?
I have not seen that type either. But, like Uncle Gabby said, there is lot of crap out there.
Thanks for the tip, not familiar with that company, will check them out.
That sounds like some good cord, if you remember what company you got it from, let us know.
I have a field sewing kit that I have used for buttons and minor tears, but, you are right, I need more practice. Trying to teach myself to sew on a machine, not working out well, will stick to needle and thread.
Was looking at solar ovens a couple of days ago, after seeing an advert.
Never thought about water purification and dehydrating as extra features.
Any here ever use one?
Thought for the day:
**"Moreover, just because the U.S. Military considers something too low tech, hopelessly outdated and no longer popular does not mean that our enemies have the luxury or inclination of thinking the same way. Just because the person shooting at you from the ridge is using a 303 Enfield rather than a more modern AK47 does not mean he is any less of a threat. *Antique tools can still kill you and your friends just as dead as the newest high-tech precision ordinance.
This came up yesterday on a “virtual class”. Don’t show your ignorance about weapons by stating “old bolt action military rifles” are easier to fight against. Yeah, their rate of fire is determined by the skill of the shooter, but, believe me when I tell you, you don’t want to be hit by a British 303.
Training:
bag work, kettle bell carries and katas.
Question of the day:
I have spent some time reviewing some basic wilderness skills during my travel ban. Yesterday, it was using a basic compass along with a topo map. Watched a couple of videos for a refresher, since I have been lazy and using a GPS.
Can you read and use a compass?
note: I don’t think I was clear here. What pissed me off so bad about his statement was there is no such thing as an easy gunfight. Any time you can die, either armed combat or a violent street encounter is never, ever, easy.
Thought for the day:
"I never saw a wild thing sorry for its self. A small bird will drop frozen dead from a bough without ever having felt sorry for itself"
D. H. Lawrence.
Training: slow 3 mile jog around the park trails. Agility drill: The park has 4 tennis courts, one with a solid wooden back stop. I take a tennis ball and throw it like a baseball against the wall and try to catch it one handed on the first bounce. This makes you move forward and back and side to side. Good/ hand / eye training.
Question of the day:
Do you do any agility drills? if so, post them here.
I think it has to do with the explosion in popularity of paracord bracelets. You can buy paracord in various colors at Hobby Lobby, along with buckles sized especially for that use. Don’t know for sure, but I’m betting that’s where we got that particular cord from - my wife went through a short phase of braiding paracord for different things.
Good tip on the 10 strand, never heard of that. I used regular 550 guts as fishing line at SERE in Brunswick many moons ago. Actually caught a couple little brook trout using that with a safety pin. Took some technique though, as soon as you hooked them and got them clear of the water they would flip and throw the hook (no barbs to keep them, obviously). Once they’re hooked, you start pulling them up and then right as they clear the water, you flip the rod (straight-ish branch) toward the bank. They would usually still throw the hook, but if you timed it right they’d land on the ground and you could grab em before they flopped back in the water.
Im getting back into agility stuff after not doing any for a few years. Used to be a soccer player and did agility drills all the time.
Lately I have incorporated some ladder work. Look up “Tanner Speed” on youtube. They have specific drills to teach you the best correct technique/positioning for agility running.
Also been doing some simple vaulting: lazy vault and safety vault. But Im not sure if thats classified as agility?
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Good point, one I had not considered. When I was traveling a lot, I saw those everywhere in a multitude of color schemes. Funny, you could always spot an American contractor going through Dubai , Kuwait, or Jordan international airports by the 5.11 pants and paracord bracelet. Never thought that was too smart, since, if I knew that, so did the enemy.
Ha, talk about a mad scramble, lost three in a row, before I lucked up and got one.
Thank you for the information, will check it out, need something different to do.
Well, I haven’t done any vaults, unless you count a little trail running, jumping over crap in the trail, but, my answer is yes, since, I probably suck at vaulting.
Thought for the day:
“Can’t cheat the grind; it’s knows how much you have invested & it won’t give you anything you haven’t worked for.”
Training: heavy bag work, dry fire practice.
Question of the day:
We all know there a lot of shit bags in this world, but, attacking a 77 year old woman to steal her pizza is just fucking barbaric and senseless. Now, I am certainly not dissing her age, since I have trained both Judo and Kempo under instructors in their 70’s, both men highly trained, mobile, and had iron mental will.
Watch the video, there is a brief pause as she is trying to process what is happening. Now, everyone here, I would assume would be situational aware, since, you are leaving a
business and scanning the street as you exit.
How would you have responded?
Yeah, on my current contract we are specifically told not to be that guy - the contract specifically mentions ‘no 5.11’. But guys still do it.
Honestly, if there was no weapon and the attacker was small (or I was just in a mood) I’d toss the pizza on the ground and fight. If the attacker had a weapon or was a size where I’d get at all hurt in a fight (even if I won), I’d just calmly hand the guy the pizza, go back inside and get a new pizza at employee discount price. I’m more than happy to eat $10-15 if it means I avoid injury or a medical visit in this day and age.
Ideally, I’d see the guy through the door and calmly flick the lock shut, and have a slice right then and there haha.
With emotions being proportional (some kind of psychological thing) and as happy as I am to get pizza (I’m very limited on these things) that dude would have unwittingly unleashed demons. Very hungry demons.
Interesting thing (to me) is that I’ve known several people that have been jumped just outside of shops just like that. The big glass storefront makes it easy to see people handling cash and coming/going with their hands full, and as completely distracted (by food) as a human being can be with their clothes on.
From a predator/prey standpoint, those setups really really suck.
Strength coach talks training with law enforcement guys.
Throw the pizza on the ground? How about throw a hot pizza to the face.
Video is a perfect example of self defense compared to ‘fighting’.
Difference with fighting is that is was a blindsided and instantly viscious predator attack on a prey animal.
Not 2 dudes mouthing, posturing, quickly going through their fight by numbers playbook to determine they will hit and run or stay and slug it out.
Pass over the boxes of pizza immediately, now the tables are turned and his hands are full and mine empty. Now I’d have options. Probably retreat then, it’s just pizza and not worth getting hurt or hurting someone over. If I was that person I’d definitely hand over and retreat inside.