JD of TyingItAllTogether recently put up a YouTube video of the tying process for the Slatt's Rescue Belt.The video may help those that have had trouble following the original tutorial, by offering a different perspective.
JD(TIAT) also modified the start and finish by attaching it to metal rings, photos of which can be seen on the IGKT forums. I substituted a 5/8" side-release buckle instead of using rings.
I used just over 13 feet of paracord to make the bracelet version, using four loops to fill the space on the buckle ends. The start or finish strand can be untucked to quickly unravel the paracord if it is needed in a hurry.
41 comments:
That's pretty good, I am going to have to try and make this and the belt myself, sometime soon. Keep up the good work man.
Peter
sir, have you seen the STRING BAGS they use in europe? just think of the possibilities if they were made out of PARACORD! our soldiers could just stuff them into their pockets and take 'em out and use them and they can hold a lot, and if PARACORD were used (i was thibking of a 1" diamond mesh), they can hold a lot of weight! PLEASE say you'll try this out as i'm sure it will be a winner utlity-wise and look "tactical at the same time! sorry for posting this on COMMENTS, but didn't know how to get to you directly...
I wonder, would it be possible to use something similar to a knitting spool to make one of these?
It's actually a crocheting technique, used for making things like mats or neck scarves, but using rope or paracord makes for a sturdy belt, shoulder strap, sling, etc...
You can use a straight set of pegs to 'knit' paracord, but it makes for a different pattern, although it would also come quickly unraveled if one end were pulled.
Got the link through Say Uncle--big fan of your work. I have a new item on my shopping list!
Is 550 paracord (100ft) a good place to start?
Yes, 100ft of paracord is a good start, you can find a variety of colors online at the Supply Captain, or you might find some basic colors, like black, tan, and olive drab, at a local Army/Navy surplus store.
Once you start making things with it, you'll quickly go through that 100ft, so be prepared for it's addictive properties.
Yet another cool project to attempt.. Not to stray off topic but, why do some people remove the core strands? Does it make the braid flatter?
Removing the inner strands makes the outer sheath flat and compact, for tighter/smaller knots. This can also mean a little more work in keeping the cord from getting twisted/kinked when knotting with it.
It also takes away from the overall strength of the cord, but for decorative work, that doesn't really matter. If someone wants the potential added utility of the inner strands they should leave them intact.
Some paracord manufacturers even sell paracord without the inner strands.
I check your blog every day looking forward to your next project or tutorial. Out of all the various sites I have stumbled across yours is one of the few that explains things in such a way that even knot tarded people like myself can get it. Also, after checking out all of the links you have, I couldn't help but wonder, have you ever thought of trying out for the show "Survivor"?
Another fine project to try! One of the things I like about your work is your attention to detail. You really work hard to make sure your knotwork is clean, tight and symmetrical, and it shows.
Thanks for all the fun stuff!
I love your work. I have been through most of your previous blogs. I just stumbled onto your blog about a month ago and am baffled by the amount of work you have displayed and the various projects that you have completed. I love the tutorials on instructables as well. So I have a few questions. Are you an active Marine or prior service as I am, and what do you do with all of your stuff once you have completed the various projects. It doesn't seem like you are trying to hock your stuff but rather do it for the challenge and the enjoyment. Just curious. I have recently started knotting and trying different knots because of your site. I just ordered Ashleys Book of Knots and the Marlinspike book. It's a great hobby. So anyway, great job on the site, projects, tutorials, etc...
Thanks to all for the kind comments.
I've not served in the military, just a couple of years in the Boy Scouts that got me started with knot work. My dad is retired military, so I've got the experience of being an Army brat.
I occasionally sell some of what I make, but I don't want to get burned out on my hobby, so I keep and use a good bit of it.
I tried my hand at this, and I must say that I am glad to have learned it.
I tried my hand at this, and I must say that I am glad to have learned it.
Something others may be interested to know is that you can easily make this into a 'seamless' bracelet. Once you have the knot at what ever length you want it, you can take the 'rings' at both ends, inter-twine them (like a zipper), and lace the ends through (they conveniently go in opposing direction). At that point you just need to take out the slack, and pull it tight.
Stormdrane another fine piece of work and inspiration. I look forward to each and every one of your updates! Thanks a lot for being so generous to share your work and methods.
Christian
Where can I find the buckle you used for this project?
Also where do you buy your bits and pieces for these project? I'm sure you have a variety of sources, but anything you can share would be appreciated.
The 5/8" side release buckle that I used, came from Creative Designworks. They also carry other items useful with paracord. Other knotting accessories can be found through links in various blog posts and my 'Links' list.
Going back to what anonymous said about another use for para cord, made me think they could make stretchers out of it, easy to fold away and fit into a soliders kit, could save lifes and would easily hold the weight of a man.
How long of a cord did you use? I just recently did a test to see how many inches of the weave I could get with a yard of paracord and I only got 1 inch. I used four loops just like in TIATs video. What is your rough estimate for cord lenghth to the final product?
I used about 13 feet of paracord for the length of bracelet that I made. The amount you need is going to vary depending on lots of variables, like how many loops are used, how tight or loose the cord is tied, the diameter of the cord used, etc... So there's no specific formula/equation to go by.
I just estimated about 1.5 to 2 feet per inch, for the way I tied this bracelet, and then add a little more to be on the safe side. When you've made several, you can narrow it down to how much you actually use with tying them consistently every time.
I'd like to make a similar belt, but with a weave that releases the cord along the length, rather than across the width. That way, if you just needed 3 feet or so, you could pull off one layer, secure the cut end, and put your slightly-thinner-but-same-length belt back on.
I suppose you could use this same weave, making about 90 starting loops around a straight starting length and only make 3 or 4 passes, but that seems messy. Do you have any better suggestions?
Scott, I think I can visualize what you're saying, but I'm not sure how I'd go about making a belt that would maintain it's length while pulling out the cord decreasing it's width.
Maybe if you used a belt of tubular webbing(1.5" or 2" width) and loaded it with paracord in a zigzig stacked pattern, inside the webbing, along it's length. That way you could pull out however much you needed from one end, and still have a fully functional belt...
I don't know how much cord you'd be able to store in a belt like that though. I would probably use something like a rifle cleaning rod to insert/load and compress the paracord... Just an idea...
@Scott and Stormdrane
My idea of the rescue belt would be to make the Slatt's Rescue Belt with enough loops to make it fit around your waist. Then you can tie the Slatt's for about 3 or 4 levels, depending on the size of your belt loop. I haven't tried this out yet, else I would have posted it on my site. But I am not with my cord, so I can't help in any other way other than giving this idea. Hope I could help.
Stormdrane, I was wondering if you could give me a pointer on the Slatt's wave.
I'm trying to make the bracelet same as you did, but it leans to the left all the time.
What am I missing here, oh God of knotwork?
The Slatt's belt does have a slight angle/tilt to it when made following the instructions.
Someone made a note in the IGKT Forums thread on the belt(post #10), that starting in the middle of the belt/bracelet, and working in opposite directions would square up and get rid of that tilt in the finished product, so you might try that with making a bracelet version.
I've just started knotting, like JUST, this week, and I came upon your blog. Great stuff here! I've got some knitting and crocheting background, so I saw the Slatt's bracelet (hubby wants a rescue belt) and the one you originally attepmted a couple years ago, and immediately thought that it would be made easier with an appropriately sized crochet hook. For the 550 paracord, a 5.5mm size I (i) hook, plastic so it has some flexibility, is really working out well in helping keep the loops consistent and the cord slides well on the hook. Thanks for this blog, love it!
This is second smart paracord bracelet I am watching on your blog. You have great talent of making things using paracord. Can you please help me making similar bracelet for my boy friend..
Hey stormdrane. I love your blog I recently made this bracelet without a buckle and I was wondering if you had any suggestions on how to tie the ends off.
What I did was take the loops from the beginning and the end, and wove them within each other. Then I took the two loose ends (from the beginning and the end) and ran them both through the loops in opposite directions.
I then tightened the loops around the ends of string. My question is how to tie the ends off while still maintaining the good look and the functionality as a rescue bracelet.
Thanks so much!
@JMan, Maybe after getting the slack worked out, you can use hemostats/forceps to work/pull the ends back into the loops/under the knotwork. I do this when tying to sometimes hide the ends...
hey i was trying to make a belt and just kinda wanted a good guess as to how much cord ill need iv made a few bracelets with the cobra knot and used 12 to 15 feet.
@Anonymous, How much paracord is needed depends on a lot of variables, like how many loops are used, the diameter of the cord, how tight or loose you work the cord, etc...
I used just over 13 feet of paracord for the 8.5 inch long bracelet with 4 loops, so if you tie it just like I did, that should give you an idea on how much cord to use.
It's always better to over estimate what you think you'll need, so that you don't come up short on a project...
More info on Slatt's type projects can be found on YouTube and the Instructables websites.
Hi Stormdrane,
First of all, great blog!! Secondly a quick question if you don't mind. If I wanted to make one of these about 3 feet long would I be right in saying I would need about 55 feet of cord?
many thanks for your time!
@mrhappymoose, If you made a belt the same width/loops as I did the bracelet, 55 feet sounds like enough to do a 36" belt, but if you want a wider belt, using more loops, I think working from a 100 ft hank of paracord would be on the safe side. You'll just be pulling from the hank of cord as you work, so it shouldn't be in the way...
Cheers Stormdrane, got three 100 foot bundles on the way :)
Again, many thanks for your time, both in putting the blog together and in answering questions!
Stormdrane, first and foremost, great work on this blog. I found many interesting things and have learned alot from your site.
Secondly, a question for this project, I have watched the video by TIAT many times, but I can't seem to get my belt/bracelet to come out straight like yours. Can you make a quick video of your version? My belt/bracelet always comes out tilted/diagonally.
Thank you,
@awz556, You just have to adjust the loops, where they're attached to the buckle, so that they're different sizes, longer on one side and gradually shorter on the other, as seen in the photo of mine.
That way the bracelet comes straight from the buckle instead of angled if they're all tightened up like the rest of the bracelet.
Stormdrane,
Thank you for the quick reply. Did you the same method of looping the buckle?
@awz556, I looped onto the buckle ends the same way JD shows in the IGKT forum post, from the link in the blog post.
Another member there also mentions how to tie the Slatt's to get rid of the angle to the knotwork, by starting in the middle of a length of cord...
Storm...
I am in the process of trying this for the first time; making a River Bar survival bracelet for a workshop. My question is how many 8inch bracelets will 100 feet make with plastic buckles.
Desiree
@Desiree, How much cord per bracelet for a River Bar, and other styles as well, will vary by things like how tight/loose you make them, but assume you'll use up to 9 feet of cord per 8 inch long bracelet. So you may get 10 or 11 bracelets out of a 100 ft hank of paracord.
After you've tied a few, you can narrow down exactly how much you use, but until you've done that, always use more than you think you'll need so that you don't come up short when tying one.
Hey, I just finished what I think is a new belt design. Check it out at;
http://mobiobione.wordpress.com/emergency-weave-paracord-rescue-belt-by-obi/
@mobiobione, Nice woven belt. :) I have seen a few woven belt and rifle sling variations in the last few years, like this recent example, but I'd say yours is a bit different.
If you're on Facebook, you might share it with the Parachute Cord Crafters group. ;)
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