Paracord Handle Wrap--Shoe String or Twist

[tippit]

Disclaimer:  This is not a knife post  

Paracord wraps are used quite a bit in the military for knives, rifle barrels, pistol grips, etc.  They have numerous advantages...great griping surface even when wet, drys fast, always an emergency length of cord available, even secure hiding place (I have a $10 bill under my paracord wrap---finally know my knife is worth something      

I just started experimenting with these on knife handles.  So I need an opinion...which wrap looks better?  Shoe String is just an over hand knot. Twist gives a ridge down the center for a little thicker feel.  Also for those of you that have had experience with paracord wraps, any input would be appreciated...Doc

I altered a knife handle to have a steeper sweep on the under side to keep the cord from slipping the ends.
 

Shoe String Wrap (I only had fluorescent yellow at the time    )
 

Twist Wrap
 

[snakewood3]

Functional and alot of alternate uses should the need arise. Kinda' like the old Ek commando knifes.

[Shell]

Nice lookin' wrap!
Thinking on sending you some of my braiding projects   :D

[tippit]

Shell,  
No Way...my fingers are sore from just doing these two   :eek:

[IB]

Jeff.....Somehow I just can't seem to wrap my head around "Para-Wrapped" on one of your hand forged CUTTERS. Sorry but it just don't FIT.

JUST AIN'T RIGHT....JUST AIN'T  :eek:    :eek:  

See when I grab holt of a cutter, I want to be able to feel the sole of the Man that built it.

Fer me it's WOOD er Bone          

Good lookin steel BUD.

JM2CW.................vance

[Izzy]

The wrap looks better.How much and where do I send it?  

[tippit]

Vance,  Maybe if I wraped $100 bill under it, you might get some good vibrations  

[Cutty47]

Be kind of interesting to see a paracord wrap...say olive green, or black, as a longbow grip...

Great handle for a survival knife for sure...

[LAR43]

Doc,
I'd think the wrap's going to relax after a while, after some handling etc & loosen up somewhat. . .  OOPS . .there goes your ten dollar bill!
There are a lot of tactical makers doing this style & overcoating them w. an epoxy (Massie style) mix to keep everything where they tied it.
But then there goes the extra lace/spare change stash feature.
Personally, I like the looks of the shoestring, but the twist wrap is the more classic "samurai" looking.
Man, you're becoming a regular forgin animal there!
Nice Stuff!!!    

Larry

[JC]

Vance, c'mon bro! An artist has to stretch the concept of convention now and then. I think a hunting knife with a wrapped handle is definately something most wouldn't think of. If you want more "soul", think of that handle wrapped in something like jute or....hold on....rawhide. Then some epoxy sealant...bet that would be a cool textured grip...and very trad looking to boot.

Doc, I like the twist wrap much better.

[IB]

Now that might work...."RAWHIDE WRAP"  


Sorry I'm locked in a BOX      

[Deadsmple]

Tippit,
I don't know how big your hands are but you might want to thicken the handle a bit by first simply wrapping the handle once with the cord in a simple wrap then wrap over that with your more decorative wrap. I like your twist wrap for what it's worth.

[ROB TAYLOR]

Can't really tell from your pics...but is that cord "gutted"?  It will usually braid and lay a lot nicer if you pull the insides out and use only the outer shell.  You may get better, glatter coverage that way.

The twist is commonly used on tac knives and looks the best IMO.  BTW, that is one nice looking piece with any sort of handle on it....nice job!
 
-Rob

[4runr]

Doc, I like the twist wrap better, it looks more Trad. Rawhide would be stunning with your style blades.

If you epoxy coat then you loose the "extra" cord aspect of the wrap.

IMHO it dudn matter what you put on your handles, your blades always look great!

[tippit]

Rob,  
No I did not pull the inside nylon fibers out.  Never knew that.  This is what is so great about tradgang...always getting new ideas.  Thanks...Doc

[ROB TAYLOR]

You bet...I'll PM you with the address of a site that has a little quick tutorial on lanyards and other paracord-related stuff...great for neck knives, keys, etc.
-Rob

[oneshot1]

There is also a weave for fishing flies you may want to try,very easy the make... hard to describe hehehe, an over hand knot dealy.. Gary Lafontaine has it in his Books. It would look good in a two-tone type deal... Thanks for the look.

[tippit]

oneshot1,  Which LaFontaine book?  Is it for a woven fly?  Doc

[ishiwannabe]

What if you tried para cord tied on the same way you would serve a string? Thats how I have done it on a few throw away type knives while I was in.
I agree that epoxy would take away from the use of the extra cord.
Either way, you do great work.

[woodchucker]

Personaly Doc,I have always liked the "twist wrap" best