I like zip ties for some things. For one, they stay and do not quickly lose strength, even in a lousy environment. Two, you can get them tight, and once they are tight, they do not slacken. And for somethings they are relatively quick, compared with the right knot. For instance, a couple of the garbage zip ties could do what a tying turkshead could do and save you a few hours.

However, and I am not putting down the zip ties or anyone, but



this tells me that knot-tying is an area in which a lot of people could improve their proficiency. I cannot imagine the time it would take me to work with zip ties and get that anything like a calf's legs tied, but a piece of line it would take nothing flat.

I've found them at HomeDepot-black 25pack.

Cable ties do things with strength that you just can't do with paracord. I carry some 6 inch ties when I go camping / hiking in my repair kit. We had a hip belt quick connect (on a "new" pack) split. A zip tie squeezed it together enough so that the belt would still snap together. It lasted another 45 miles at Philmont, and as far as I know, its still on the pack. You just can't compress that type of connector together reliably with cord to hold together for any length of time. It is unparalleled at some types of expedient gear repair.

Thanks for all the input/ideas. Just bought some recently for another project, so I have some left over. Will toss some in the PSK this afternoon.