What type of cord...

[RT Ohio]

Something that has escaped me over the years is this: Where can I find the same cord that the military uses to tie survival components to the vest. Been looking forever and was hoping that somebody here would know? Thanks a head of time!

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[browningautorifle]

Do you mean the nylon 550 cord? Parachute line?

[RT Ohio]

No, the smaller cord that is used to tie such thing as the whistle, knife, the pen gun to the set of pen flares. Anything that is used to tie these things to the vest (SRU-21/P and SV-2)

[Paul S.]

I don't know what US forces used, but we used 'hootchie cord'. Link: Hoochie Cord 50 Metres

[Sentryduty]

Do you have any samples or photographs?

If you had even a small scrap, a climbing shop could probably match you up with a modern equal.

What color is the the stuff?

What is the construction?

A quick primer on rope (cord, string etc) construction below:

Single braid consists of an even number of strands, eight or twelve being typical, braided into a circular pattern with half of the strands going clockwise and the other half going anticlockwise. The strands can interlock with either twill or plain weave. The central void may be large or small; in the former case the term hollow braid is sometimes preferred.

Double braid, also called braid on braid, consists of an inner braid filling the central void in an outer braid, that may be of the same or different material. Often the inner braid fibre is chosen for strength while the outer braid fibre is chosen for abrasion resistance.

In solid braid the strands all travel the same direction, clockwise or anticlockwise, and alternate between forming the outside of the rope and the interior of the rope. This construction is popular for general purpose utility rope but rare in specialized high performance line.

Kernmantle rope has a core (kern) of long twisted fibres in the center, with a braided outer sheath or mantle of woven fibres. The kern provides most of the strength (about 70%), while the mantle protects the kern and determines the handling properties of the rope (how easy it is to hold, to tie knots in, and so on). In dynamic climbing line, core fibres are usually twisted, and chopped into shorter lengths, which makes the rope more elastic. Static kernmantle ropes are made with untwisted core fibres and tighter braid, which causes them to be stiffer in addition to limiting the stretch.

[browningautorifle]

I have a roll of finer cord, white nylon double braid that I think would be correct...it came out of my Platoon stores back in about '89 or '90 and was issue. I'd send you a length if you could tell me how much you NEED for the task. I think it's the same stuff we used on the life gear they issued to the Navy for individual sailors. It held the whistles on and such. For instance, it's the line fastening the strobe in the pic on this forum link...

Who used this? VN era USAF survival vest - Page 2 - SURVIVAL GEAR - U.S. Militaria Forum

If you look up survival vest contents on line and look at the pics, you'll see it's right. Youtube has a vid too.

[RT Ohio]

Thanks browningautorifle. I found it in an old manual I had dating back to the 1970's. It is called "MIL-C-5040h & PIA-C-5040 Type IA cord." I found some at Rugged, Reliable Survival Kits Gear for Any Emergency or Environment. Also, thanks for the offer for the white cord. I would of needed at least 100 feet of it.

[browningautorifle]

Also, thanks for the offer for the white cord. I would of needed at least 100 feet of it.

I could have done that in a walk...but anyway...this company has some neat stuff. Your number indicates para cord. I have a roll of that too.

[Flying10uk]

For a nylon cord, of pretty much any description, I would try a boat accessory shop or as we call them in the U.K. a Chandlers. Is the term "Chandlers" used in North America for a shop selling boat accessories?

[Sentryduty]

Is the term "Chandlers" used in North America for a shop selling boat accessories?

As a former Maritimer that grew up around Digby and Annapolis Royal, I will have go with no, never heard the term prior to now. Watercraft accessories were obtained from Sail Shops, Boat Shop, or Boat Works, anythings larger was sourced from Shipworks and Marine Industry.
For a time when I was younger my Father was employed by a boatworks, and 30 years ago a surprising amount of stuff was still crafted from scratch using coal and forgework for the scallop dragger fleet.