Monday, August 27, 2012

Paracord sheath wrap with integrated firesteel...

Continued from the previous blog post...

I tied a 13 lead 4 bight Turk's head knot, doubled using about 11 feet of red paracord, around the Mora knife sheath, , with a removable 3" x 1/4" firesteel blank under part of the knot where it is held in place.

I recommend a ranger band or grip tape first around the sheath, so that the paracord knot work over it stays firmly in place once the knot is tightened.

The firesteel blank has a 5 lead 4 bight turk's head knot at one end, tied with glow-in-the-dark cord which is epoxied in place.

I tied and tightened the TH knot directly over the firesteel, but I think it'd be easier to get in and out if a short length of tubing were used as a sleeve for the firesteel, maybe scavenging a length of a pen or marker body.

As it's tied, the firesteel is not going to accidentally slip out from under the paracord, but sliding it back in takes some work with wiggling it back and forth to its secured position...

Here's a link to a previous blog post where I tucked a firesteel under a two bight knot tied around a sheath.

13 comments:

Lisha @ 1house1couple said...

That's cool. You are very talented with your knots and ropes :)

~Lisha

smet337 said...

Amazing work Stormdrane!I was wondering with the grip tape is there any issue with tightening the 550 or any special care that needs to be taken? I also appreciate the fact that you added the point about using a pen or pencil housing for the fire steel so it has it own sheath.After looking at it I can see were that would greatly help!As always you set the standard for knot tiers. Thanks as always Scot

Stormdrane said...

@Scot, When tightening a knot over grip tape or other no-slip material, just make sure you have your knot positioned where you want it and your crossings are all straight and lined up.

As you work the slack out of the knot and it makes more contact with that material, it will be hard to readjust/reposition if the strands aren't where you want them... ;)

Marte Martinez said...

hey stormdrane love your work. got me interested in strating a few projects like this. i was wondering where you get your paracord and other cord you use.

Stormdrane said...

@Marte, I get paracord from various sources, like my local Army/Navy store, ebay, Supply Captain, and Amazon.com.

smet337 said...

Hello Stormdrane,With 1.4mm on long 4b with five wraps do I need to straighten everything up on all passes,because I'am having problems with the end result looking correct?When I'am doing the pass as if doubling a long 2b do I need to keep those separate the whole time during the tying process? I know that your the pro so I'am hoping that this all makes sense and that maybe you had run in to this before!!As always I'am grateful for your help.Scot

Stormdrane said...

@Scot, After loosely tying the long 2 bight, go back and make sure all the crossings are straight and lined up before continuing with raising it to a 4 bight knot.

After you have the 4 bight knot, do the same check with making sure all the crossings are straight and lined up before doubling/tripling and each additional pass you make.

If the crossings are off just a little, it will be noticeable in the finished knot, so continually checking your work as you progress will help keep it straight, and sometimes you'll find an error where you might have missed an over/under and have to back track to correct.

I occasionally get a knot that just isn't straight enough for me and I'll take it apart and start over, it happens...

Anonymous said...

Hey Stormdrane. Since this project has to do with a 4 bight turks head, could you make a video on how to tie one? On the tutorial you list, the mans hand gets in the way alot, and makes me frustrated.

smet337 said...

Hello Stormdrane,I just wanted to let you know that I used your advice on tying the long 4b and it was fantastic.It took me tying and retying five or six times. I have herd you say that when you get stuck on a knot that you go on to something else and that is really the best thing to do. I used tan 1.4mm for my first 4b and used some black type 1 for the second pass and it looks pretty cool the type 1 stands a little bit higher.Sorry that I'am long winded tonight I'am like a little kid when thing's come together and with out your help I would have given up a long time ago!I really really appreciate you!! Have a great evening Scot

Anonymous said...

dude, you can't just wrap everything in paracord

JMAL said...

Stormdrane, I don't know how else to contact you but I was wondering if you'd do a fan of yours a huge favor... I live in the boonies and am only able to get dial-up, with loading and everything it takes some time to do anything. Any chance you could make your instructions and everything into a zip for one easy download. Then maybe update it or release "Add-on" packs every so often. Every now and then when I'm able to get on high speed I always come check out the site and this would be a great help to me. Thanks!

Unknown said...

Stormdrane, couple of questions for different applications:

1. I'm thinking of attempting to do a turk's head for my Becker Bk2 to make it more grippy (over the stock scales, not in place of), but I don't know if its a good idea (don't want it to slide, etc). Just wondered your thoughts.

2. I've seen you tie the TH around objects round and flat--how different is the technique? I was able to do the 2 bight keychain from your video, but I can't wrap my brain around doing a flat one.

Thanks and much respect as always,

T.J.

Stormdrane said...

@T.J. Putting a knot wrap on a knife handle can work for some knives, depending on the knot and cord used.

Some handle shapes may affect what knot you use, and there may be issues with the sheath to be aware of too.

Wrapping a shape that's flat/round/square/oval with a Turk's head knot is done the same way despite the shape. Tie it loosely around a mandrel/cylinder first, if possible, then carefully tighten it up around your object.

Think of your knot as having sides, front, back, left, right, and keep the Turk's head knot crossings lined up as you work the slack out...