I've never carried dental floss in my kits before, but I'm thinking of adding some for general tying or lashing needs. I experimented with tying some knots and couldn't get them to hold. I was using standard waxed floss and I tried a square knot, a fisherman's knot (the one with the 2 overhand knots that slide up against each other) and a sheet bend with no luck. <br><br>Does anybody know of a few knots that work well with floss? Is the wax the problem?<br><br>

Any knot that will work on modern kevlar fishingline will work on dental floss. But I agree, until I found this out, it was frustrating.<br><br>

Thanks. <br><br>Do you have any tips on how I would learn which knots work on Kevlar fishing line and/or how to tie them? Is there a website for instance? I'm only familiar with standard (i.e. Boy Scout Handbook) knots.<br><br>

I researched all the fishing knots I could find on the web (quite a few) for the purpose of using them with some survival dental floss for general tying and lashing. The fishing knots all seem to be for joining two lines together or for attaching a line to a hook, lure or leader (tied on a slack line and then carefully tightened). There was really nothing for securing a line under tension or tensioning a slack line (the functions of 2-half-hitches, a taught-line-hitch, square knot, etc.). I have decided that general lashing and tying around a survival camp won't be convenient without those kinds of knots, so dental floss is out. <br><br>The good news is that I found some very thin nylon string that I think I originally purchased as kite string that is only slightly thicker than dental floss and that knots beautifully. Forget dental floss, I'm going with the string.<br><br>By the way, if you are looking for a good knot for attaching monofilament to a fish hook, search the web for "Trilene knot." Apparently this knot is the latest and greatest. I include a Trilene knot diagram with my emergency fishing equipment. As a casual and uneducated occasional fisherman, I know that having the knot slip loose and come off of your hook is a very big possibliity since monofilament is so smooth and poor at holding knots. This would not be welcome in a survival situation. Losing the fish is bad enough, but losing the hook could be worse.<br><br>

I think you will have better luck with un-waxed floss. I use un-waxed floss for crafts projects and it seems to knot fairly well.<br>However, I have never used it for anything important such as fishing.<br>Ranger.<br><br>Ranger.<br>The older I get, The better I was.

Any waxed cordage can self release a knot under tension.I have some of the last silk manila lariats (waxed,no splinters).Even these are slippery for emergency packhorse lashing.The trick is to throw a second lockstitch,ie double tie a square knot.Waxed thread is ideal for field mending(boots,tents,packs etc). I use a speedy stitcher,which duplicates a sewing machine stitch in a hand held awl.I can't find them online,but for a order form write STEWART MFG.,INC. P.O.Box 330 Northboro,Ma 01532-0330. They are pretty common in feed/tack stores.Dixie Gun Works sells an excellent artificial sinew, www.dixiegun.com.<br><br>

You can also try Tandy Leather. I bought my awl at one of their stores. They no longer have retail stores in my area but I believe they are online.<br>Ranger.<br><br>Ranger.<br>The older I get, The better I was.