If you could only pick one type of "ultralight cordage", what would it be?

The idea behind this is to pick only a single type of line for use in a pocket size survival kit. The goal is to pick a single type to use for fishing, snares, sewing, and other typical light cordage duties when the 550 cord isn't needed. This is also assuming you do not want to use the inner strands of the 550 cord.

The three best options that come to mind and that have been suggested in various posts include: Coat & Clark's Upholstery Thread, Spiderwire Superline fishing line, and Dacron (2) kite string.

I haven't seen true weight limits on the upholstery thread, but you can get the Spiderwire Superline and Dacron kite string tests up to several hundred pounds. The broad range under consideration is 50-200# strengths. For the sake of arguement, consider anything less as insufficient to use as snare wire and anything stronger as too bulky. But if you have a strong argument to make here, you'll probably share anyway.

If other equal quality ideas are out there, include them in your post. My question is, has anyone out there used more than one of these quality options? What are the pros/cons of each? What do you prefer and why?

Thanks as always!
GoatMan

I'd throw type 1 paracord into this group as well. 1/16 of an inch w/100# tensile strength and has five inner strands.

Would have the advantage of being a little more versatile I'd think.

The 100-200# paracord like cordage sounds like it could prove very useful and be worthwhile for hip pack size kits, but it may not fit the bill for a true pocket size kit. It could be wrapped around other objects or the kit itself like true 550 cord, but it is not something I would personally put onto a sewing bobbin. It may also be a bit large for sewing & fishing. The inner strands may work well for sewing, but how about fishing?

The quest for the ideal all-purpose lightweight cordage continues. Specifically interested in the three options I posted on earlier. But thanks for the input!

Paracord is too bulky for pocket carry of enough length to be useful to me. I will EDC 25-50 yards of 120 lb test dacron. It is small enough to use as dental floss (be careful because it's abrasive qualities will cut your gums something fierce if you aren't). It works well for stitching up clothing, leather, plastic, or flesh. It doesn't biodegrade, but it is susceptible to UV decomposition. It doesn't stretch and it doesn't shrink. You can fish with it and it'll handle 200 lb halibut or 70 lb king salmon, yet still be light and soft enough in the water for catching crappie or bass or trout. It is wicked netting and snare material. It works really good as a lashing material for constructing a primitive shelter. It makes a most excellent backing for duct tape.

10 strands of 120 lb dacron yield enough strength to use it as a climbing line, except that dacron has no give to it, so it is a bit hazardous if you slip and free fall any distance, and the diameter of the rope will be too small to grasp properly.

Spiderwire is a lot like Dacron, and I think more resistant to UV and less abrasive. It is also more expensive lb for lb.

I'd go with either one. I just happen to have a lot of the Dacron already on hand.

In fact, I think there are now about half a dozen different synthetics out there that spec out about the same. I guess it just depends on what you are familiar with and what is available.

I grew up using dacron line both for my top end kite flying out at the Oregon coast, and for fishing up at Hakai and the inside passage. Back then, that was pretty much all there was for sportsfishermen. I guess that's why I always go back to it; I know what it will do and am familiar with it. I suspect I would find the others do just as well.

i did a quick ebay search and found 400# monofilament, and 100# monofilament. the 400# doesn't show the actual line, so i don't know how bulky it is.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Ande-400-Lb-Test-Cle...1QQcmdZViewItem

the 100# line looks fairly normal, and for fishing, sewing, lashing, etc, i inagine 100# would be more than sufficient, unless you're fishing for sharks.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Anbe-Monofilament-10...1QQcmdZViewItem

(i am in no way affiliated with either of these sellers; i'm just listing examples.)

400# monofilament is a solid hunk of plastic and does not drape well. Actually, I don't even like 100# mono when I need it to lay flat. It's just not limp enough.

To the original question, I prefer 100# braided spiderwire (or 80# sufix braid, which I just started playing with), you just need to be careful of the mantle. If that frays, spderwire's kernel threads quickly degrade in UV (sufix may have better UV resistance, I'm still testing). These exotic materials are more expensive than dacron, but the cost isn't that significant in the amounts I usually try to have around.

As for emergency climbing, I keep 300ft of 550 paracord in each vehicle and 100ft in the BOB. I have climbed on it (doubled, short fall only), and the stretch was really important on my test falls. I wouldn't climb on a static line unless that's all there was between my ass and oblivion. I'd probably try to move the attachment point away from my waist. Too easy to break your back with a static line that way.

rabagley - How would you compare the Spiderwire - Superline Ultracast-Invisiband , Stealth, and Ultracast ?

Not having fished all that much, it is difficult to tell what advantage one has over the other. Maybe based my lack of experience in this area, it wouldn't matter.

I like 50# test fishing line; strong, but small enough to carry in a wallet.

Teacher

I've only used spiderwire classic braid and fusion. I like them both. I'm happy to see improvements, but those newer variations you mention weren't available last time I bought for fishing. I just picked up a few reels of sufix braid a few months ago, but have to admit that I didn't even look over at the spiderwire to see if there were newer products.

Even sight unseen, I'd trust that these new things are plenty tough, just be careful about fraying and sunlight. If your use requires the full strength of the line, be sure to tie around frayed sections as soon as you notice the damage.

Just did some quick reading and it looks like the spiderwire ultracast has a tougher and more tightly woven mantle than the classic braid. That sounds like a real improvement to me, but I'd recommend only buying one spool and practicing tying knots in it and using it for some real world tasks before you invest

I have been using spectra cord in my small kits, it is super light and vvery strong. You have to have good knot tying skills and it isn't a replacement for 550 cord for everyday utility use or general camping. But, if you are looking for light, strong & compact cord for kits where space and weight is a premium (like a PSK or survival vest) it works well.

I use Berkiey's GORILLA LINE 50lb.test braided camo line. soft, strong and rolls up small.

works for me

+1 on that.

Although if allowed more than one, some sisal twine is nice. You don't ahve to feel guilty if you leave it in the field, and if it is dry, it makes great tinder.

I have read about Spectra kite string vs Dacron. Spectra is higher end and stronger, but it sounds like it is more difficult to tie knots in. That is the primary reason I felt like Dacron held an advantage over Spectra for small all purpose PSK line.

So thus far, it sounds like Dacron is a good all around line that isn't expensive. Knots well and holds up well, but doesn't resist UV rays for extended life. But for a PSK, the line can always be replaced.

Spiderwire Ultracast Invisibrade has an up on Dacron in that you can get a mostly clear version of it. It may be a bit thinner as well? On the down side, it is much more expensive.

How about the Coat & Clarks thread? Not too many comments there. Anyone know what the true strength is? It sounds like it would knot better than the other two options and be better for sewing, do okay for fishing and snares, and resist UV rays better. Has a good price point.

Any other summaries or comparisons? As you can tell, I'm attempting to build my first true mini/pocket kit. I have my regular personal size kit, but I need to be more select in the smaller kit.

Why not have all 3 on separte sewing bobbins that you see for sewing machines? You can get quite a bit on each bobbin and never know when you have the need for a particular type of cordage. Not to mention that each bobbin takes up next to nothing for space, but that all depends how big your mini/pocket kit will be.

This is how i'm going about my edc survival kit and my urban kit that survives in my edc bag.

Hi Goatman

For the highest strength to weight cordage, I not aware of anything stronger than the cordage produced by flexifoil at
http://www.flexifoil.co.uk/products/lines_options.php?rid=28

I'm not so worried about weight as volume, and it looks like the flexifoil is a bit larger in diameter than the dacron line I am using, even assuming I doubled mine over (to get the 220 lb diameter). It does look like an interesting alternative, though. Would be nice if they gave more specs on the website.

I have tried various types and brands of cordage. At one time I kept a hank of strong, hi-tech fishing line in a pocket. Before that heavy braided mason line and before that 550.

I shifted to the fishing line because I was impressed by its strength, lightness and that I could carry a very long length of it. So far so good until one day I had a bit of a pinch. Nothing critical. On a trip to move some furniture in someone else's truck it started to rain. Florida deluges and upholstery don't get along. Soaked stuffing tends to mould.

He had a tarp handy but not a bit of line to tie it with. Figuring this a good time I broke out my line. It worked but it was not an unalloyed success. The line was definitely strong enough. But it was also difficult to cut, even with a nice sharp knife, hard to tie and it was so thin that it sliced into the tarp and skin as I worked to get it all in place with rain softened hands. I certainly had enough, about 50 yards, but would have rather had a tenth as much if it was several times thicker and easier to work with. It worked out and the upholstery stayed dry enough.

But it dawned on me that in a worse, and more critical situation, ease of handling might not be a matter of comfort and convenience. It might be the difference between making it or not.

A quick test:
Get your hands cold and wet. I handle a large piece of ice. Yankees, I suppose, could simply step outside. Then while your hands are semi-frozen reach in and grab you hank of line. Now do some stuff with it. Loop it over a limb while doubled try to use it to assist you in climbing a simulated slope.

Refreeze the hands if necessary and lash a few poles together. Minimum of four lashings. I know you all keep your knife shaving sharp but in a pinch you may dull it a bit. Kevlar can can dull a knife pretty quick. So cut the line with a slightly dulled knife. Using nothing but your hands try to get those bindings really tight.

Again with frozen hands and with time pressure try some knots. Using a vice and pliers check the knots to see how they hold up under pressure.

Try this with Spiderwire or many of the other hi-tech, hi-strength small-diameter lines. You better be wearing gloves with some of these types.

The ability to carry a lot of really strong line isn't necessarily the only criteria. Find your own limits and preferences.

For me 3mm, roughly 1/8", is the absolute low end diameter for such cordage. Your still not going to be able to pull your body weight up even a doubled line without gloves but it is a lot better for being able to pull tight and work with than fishing line. 5mm or about 1/4" is even better but you start getting into major issues with bulk. An on-body kit has to ride without getting in your way or interfering with normal activities.

Kevlar, dyneema and spectra are all very strong but they all have issues. Some won't cut reliably with anything but a dead sharp or special knife or shears. They don't hold normal knots well and even less well when wet. If your going to tie it well and reliably you need to be careful and take your time. Time and care you may not be able to muster in a pinch with frozen hands.

My preference is for nylon or Dacron cord with a tight woven outer sleeve, treated to help keep it dry and hold a knot well. something thick enough to allow me to grip it well with cold, wet hands. Break strength is around 300 pounds, more than adequate for my use. The material cuts easily enough with a less than perfect edge but still resists abrasion and wear.

If you, as I, don't like being cold, put gloves on and then try the same tests. My bet, similar results...won't work. You need larger diameter line to work with...

It is a trade off. I have 550 in some of my occasional EDC stuff, but I always have dacron line handy. It is a PITA to work with as far as abrasion and pinching goes, and it will definitely cut or burn your skin if you are handling it under load, but it will work, and I can carry it with me under most any condition without encumberance.

The bottom line is, it will get the job done. It may not be the most convenient or ergonomic to work with, but it is more likely a normal person will edc enough of it to make a difference where they might not otherwise edc any cordage at all, other than sewing thread or floss. I would not normally carry even 10 yards of 550 in a pants pocket to work, where I could easily carry 25 or more yards of dacron line spooled around the pen in my vest pocket or an old credit card in my wallet and not feel it much different from payday.

Rope, cord, and string all have their place, and each are more suited to different sets of tasks perhaps. I would much rather build a shelter or tie down a load or a tarp on a load using 5'16 polypropylene braid. I prefer 550 for tieing up bundles, lacing up pack loads, and shoe lace fodder. 120 lb Dacron line is good for catching big fish, catching not so big fish, snaring critters, and for making the tip of my finger turn purple when I wrap it around my knuckle a few times

I would not even want to think about having to belay a load using that dacron line and just my hands. It'd strip the skin off before I could get the load to the top, unless I fashioned some sort of grappling system to handle it with easier.