#273704 - 01/15/15 04:42 AM
Re: Which: Cotton Shemagh or Silk Kerchief?
[Re: Blast]
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Geezer
Registered: 06/02/06
Posts: 5357
Loc: SOCAL
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There is a black silk T-neck around here somewhere that has been worn maybe once and it was really warm, way warmer than an equivalent in cotton. I packed it away for a colder climate. From your list some would be better with silk, some cotton. Silk is also very strong, can't recall if it's strong when wet, I'm thinking not.
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#273709 - 01/15/15 03:03 PM
Re: Which: Cotton Shemagh or Silk Kerchief?
[Re: Blast]
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Veteran
Registered: 10/14/08
Posts: 1517
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I would recommend the cotton for high temps and silk for winter.
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#273710 - 01/15/15 03:48 PM
Re: Which: Cotton Shemagh or Silk Kerchief?
[Re: gonewiththewind]
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Geezer
Registered: 06/02/06
Posts: 5357
Loc: SOCAL
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Check Wiki Silk, there is a section on properties. ... Silk is one of the strongest natural fibers, but it loses up to 20% of its strength when wet. It has a good moisture regain of 11%. Its elasticity is moderate to poor: if elongated even a small amount, it remains stretched. It can be weakened if exposed to too much sunlight. It may also be attacked by insects, especially if left dirty. ... While on the subject, check out Spider silk too. Strength and toughness compared to kevlar...
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#273714 - 01/15/15 07:58 PM
Re: Which: Cotton Shemagh or Silk Kerchief?
[Re: Blast]
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Geezer in Chief
Geezer
Registered: 08/26/06
Posts: 7705
Loc: southern Cal
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If bulk is a concern,a much smaller cotton bandanna (cowboy style, about 15x15") has worked effectively for most of those uses quite regularly. I am carrying one right now.
It is a well known fact that red bandannas are the most effective.
_________________________
Geezer in Chief
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#273724 - 01/16/15 04:06 PM
Re: Which: Cotton Shemagh or Silk Kerchief?
[Re: Blast]
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Old Hand
Registered: 01/28/10
Posts: 1174
Loc: MN, Land O' Lakes & Rivers ...
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Something similar that I've used is this from SG: http://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/i...e-drab?a=961655The bandannas I got were more 'olive' colored than the pictured one. The thin cotton wicks off moisture in the summer and the 32x32 bandannas are a good size for hanging around the neck or tying on the head. They make a good insulator around the neck in the treestand in late fall. At $1.75 apiece I'm not afraid to use them and abuse them. I will admit that I'm intrigued by some of the cotton shemaghs that I've seen around lately. There's a coyote brown one that I might try out in the near future.
_________________________
The man got the powr but the byrd got the wyng
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#273727 - 01/16/15 05:51 PM
Re: Which: Cotton Shemagh or Silk Kerchief?
[Re: Blast]
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Carpal Tunnel
Registered: 03/11/05
Posts: 2574
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I've used both; either will be fine.
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#273731 - 01/17/15 03:04 AM
Re: Which: Cotton Shemagh or Silk Kerchief?
[Re: Blast]
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Veteran
Registered: 09/01/05
Posts: 1474
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Shemaghs are very fashionable nowadays and I see people wearing them every day. For cold weather I'll take my 100% wool buff wear neck gaiter. But for hot weather, bugs, etc, a shemagh is fantastic and dries really fast.
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#273732 - 01/17/15 03:10 AM
Re: Which: Cotton Shemagh or Silk Kerchief?
[Re: Byrd_Huntr]
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Stranger
Registered: 12/27/14
Posts: 19
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Something similar that I've used is this from SG: http://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/i...e-drab?a=961655The bandannas I got were more 'olive' colored than the pictured one. The thin cotton wicks off moisture in the summer and the 32x32 bandannas are a good size for hanging around the neck or tying on the head. They make a good insulator around the neck in the treestand in late fall. I have heard good things about these bandannas so I bought a set tonight. FYI, Sportsman's Guide is running a 10% off special on all military surplus items, plus free shipping (saved me $9.99) through Jan. 20 with coupon code "SH1506". This made the Swedish bandannas an exceptionally good deal. No affiliation with Sportsman's Guide.
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#273740 - 01/17/15 10:51 AM
Re: Which: Cotton Shemagh or Silk Kerchief?
[Re: Blast]
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Rapscallion
Carpal Tunnel
Registered: 02/06/04
Posts: 4020
Loc: Anchorage AK
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I've had and used shemaghs since 2005 from time to time. For your climate it is suitable year round. It might seem a bit skimpy on the coldest/windiest days. But I think you'd find more diverse use for it than you would with silk.
Por que no los dos?
_________________________
The ultimate result of shielding men from the effects of folly is to fill the world with fools. -- Herbert Spencer, English Philosopher (1820-1903)
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#273746 - 01/17/15 06:10 PM
Re: Which: Cotton Shemagh or Silk Kerchief?
[Re: Blast]
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Addict
Registered: 11/05/07
Posts: 538
Loc: Wales, UK
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If getting a multicolour shemagh, make sure it's woven rather than printed.
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#273763 - 01/18/15 06:04 PM
Re: Which: Cotton Shemagh or Silk Kerchief?
[Re: Blast]
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Veteran
Registered: 12/12/04
Posts: 1204
Loc: Nottingham, UK
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I'm trying to decide which is better to bring on hikes here in Texas, a 42"x42" cotton shemagh or a 45"x45" silk kerchief. The silk kerchief packs down a lot smaller in my pack but I'm not sure if silk is as useful as cotton when it comes to warmth, shade, hygiene, using it as a dusk mask, pot holder, water strainer, or absorbent towel.
Anyone have any useful experience to share in one versus the other? Gracias! -Blast When I looked into this, it seemed to me that weight and volume are what mattered, rather than material. A silk bandanna with a large area would be as effective as a cotton with a small area, if both were about the same weight and folded to the same packed volume. I prefer the silk because it is more versatile. The extra area is useful if you are making it into a bag, cutting it up into strips for use as toilet paper, using it as cordage, etc, and would dry quicker if wet. Just be prepared to double it up if you need insulation or absorbency. Since the Jinglebobs site disappeared, I don't know where to buy silk squares from any more.
_________________________
Quality is addictive.
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#273765 - 01/18/15 06:33 PM
Re: Which: Cotton Shemagh or Silk Kerchief?
[Re: Blast]
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Veteran
Registered: 03/31/06
Posts: 1355
Loc: United Kingdom.
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Shemagh. Much more versatile IMHO. I've been using shemagh's since the middle 1980's long before they became a fashion item. In the interests of self preservation I would say stay away from black and white, and red and white shemagh's unless you want to be potted. I'm given to understand that one indicates support for Hamas and the other is PLO. Although I can't remember off the top of my head which is which. Personally I stick to green or desert sand.
_________________________
I don't do dumb & helpless.
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#273766 - 01/18/15 07:51 PM
Re: Which: Cotton Shemagh or Silk Kerchief?
[Re: Leigh_Ratcliffe]
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Rapscallion
Carpal Tunnel
Registered: 02/06/04
Posts: 4020
Loc: Anchorage AK
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IIRC, red and white represents Shiite, Black (or dark blue) and white represents Sunni. At least that's what the Iraqis I worked with kept telling me. I like solid khaki color, or khaki and black.
_________________________
The ultimate result of shielding men from the effects of folly is to fill the world with fools. -- Herbert Spencer, English Philosopher (1820-1903)
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#273775 - 01/19/15 01:01 AM
Re: Which: Cotton Shemagh or Silk Kerchief?
[Re: Blast]
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Carpal Tunnel
Registered: 11/09/06
Posts: 2851
Loc: La-USA
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I would match the color to the general terrain, personally.
My wool mufflers are either black or green here in the south.
_________________________
QMC, USCG (Ret) The best luck is what you make yourself!
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