Hi Bountyhunter,

Great idea to change the receiving party within the EU. The customs may be understaffed, but they are not stupid either. With too many shipments to one person they'd eventually put two and two together. <img src="/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

Now I understand your operation. Looks like you've got everything covered. Before you complain about the severity of knife laws on your side of the pond (in some areas): it's a LOT worse over here. Out here carriyng a screwdriver without a good explanation could get you into trouble. Anything but an SAK can be considered an illegal arm, it's up to the arresting officer's opinion.

Good luck with your business!

Luca

Hi Luca.

Just sent email to ksbman, hope to get a response soon.

When should we put our shopping lists together? <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

According to http://www.onestopknifeshop.com/store/550.html, the military specification in question is MIL-C-5040H.

I understand that the cord should have two numbers (e.g. 550/220 - though I don't recall offhand if the second number is correct.) The first number is the breaking strength, the second number is the Safe Working Load (SWL). I'm going by memory and I'm sure someone more knowledgeable will correct me.

Basically, if it's dyed Olive Drab and meets the military requirements for Olive Drab colouring, then there is no actual falsity in advertising it as "milspec" as long as they don't specify *which* military specification it meets. Local laws may vary, of course, but I suspect that the word "milspec" may be one of those advertising catchphrases that actually has no meaning in law. It's like advertising something as "extremely tasty" - how could you possibly prove it wasn't?

I work in the defense industry, and there are "milspecs" for EVERYTHING! I can well believe that an unscrupulous retailer would market a product that meets an utterly useless military spec (such as the colour of OD dye used) and market it as "Milspec" paracord.

Can anyone confirm whether MIL-C-5040H is, in fact, the relevant mil spec (i.e. with regard to breaking strength)?

Alain, everyone else--

Check this web site & see if it meets your needs for 550 paracord.

I posted this link some months (years?) back, & it took me a few minutes to find it again.

Look under Raw materials/Suspension Line for cord. It's available in several colors, & by the yard (3 ft, or approx. 0.9 meters), or 100 yard (approx 90 meters) spool.

They even have a version with 11 inner strands.

Their home page says they've shipped to 150 countries, so getting their product to Europe should not be an issue. Now, shipping costs and the additonal taxes are another matter entirely!!!

Hope this helps.

David

Hi all,

Finally got a pic online of the BCB-stuff. Check it out! (ruler is in cm)



The pic is not that clear online, but there are 6 strands instead of seven. Is this stuff any good?

Luca

That is correct for USGI 550 cord, what other countries use/issue is beyond me. Try Brigade Quartermaster at BQ.com, they sell the real deal.

Nice Pic, Luca. The outer covering looks a lot coarser than the USGI stuff. 7 inner strands is what you want.

Hey, Thanks to everybody !

I went away from my ADSL connection and PC for two weeks.
Back home, I see many forum members have provided links. I will check them.

Thanks again.

their description is as follow :
- "paracorde 550" , US-Army regulation, resistance 250kg. Its strands can be used for sewing or fishing .......

I don't see how I could use this to sew or fish....

Frenchy
I hope no-one else has posted this link, if so my apologies...
This paracord is the genuine article, so I'm lead to believe. Its not cheap, but I would imagine cheaper than importing it from the States.

http://woodlandorganics.com/shop/misc/index.htm

Hope this helps.