550 cord saftey lanyard

[PetrifiedWood]

Here's a video I made a while back. This has a few tips for cutting and fusing the ends of 550 cord, and it shows how to use a cord lock to make a safety lanyard that is less likely to choke you if it gets hung up.

[MATT CHAOS]

Another great video!  Thanks!

[Highlife]

PW, that's exactly how I do it.  I find that feeding them from opposite directions requires LESS force to 'break' the lanyard. I prefer it this way.

I like the nail clipper tip. Just have to make sure to blunt it when you're done, the pointy-ness can get irritating on your neck sometimes.

[PetrifiedWood]

PW, that's exactly how I do it.  I find that feeding them from opposite directions requires LESS force to 'break' the lanyard. I prefer it this way.

I like the nail clipper tip. Just have to make sure to blunt it when you're done, the pointy-ness can get irritating on your neck sometimes.

Yep, good point (pun intended).

It's probably a good idea to just wave a flame over the tip to soften the edges so it isn't scratchy.


And you're right, it does take a little less force to separate the ends when fed through this way. It still holds very securely though. I've used it on a neck knife lanyard and it doesn't budge.

[Highlife]

Yeah, I use it sometimes for a flashlight as I haven't gotten used to the neck knife idea (haven't really tried it with an appropriate knife, either!).

What i do is after I heat up the paracord's end to a melted glob, I remove the flame, wait just a few seconds, and then gently round it with my licked fingers.  This merges the core and sheath, narrows the end to pass through the cordlock, and rounds it all in one step.  Just my way, I like your pinching technique though.

[PetrifiedWood]

Yeah, I use it sometimes for a flashlight as I haven't gotten used to the neck knife idea (haven't really tried it with an appropriate knife, either!).

What i do is after I heat up the paracord's end to a melted glob, I remove the flame, wait just a few seconds, and then gently round it with my licked fingers.  This merges the core and sheath, narrows the end to pass through the cordlock, and rounds it all in one step.  Just my way, I like your pinching technique though.

I've done this too, but I'm not fast enough. I usually wind up with a molten blob of plastic searing my fingertips, lol!

But when I can get it to work without burning myself, it works nicely.

[Dano]

I really like the knot to retain the cord lock.  I've got a few of the cord-lock lights and they're pricy enough I'd hate to lose them!  Good idea!!

[Highlife]

I've done this too, but I'm not fast enough. I usually wind up with a molten blob of plastic searing my fingertips, lol!

But when I can get it to work without burning myself, it works nicely.

I find that if i lick my fingers, I don't have to be super fast (usually).  Sorry about your fingers, though... definitely done that to myself a few times.

[Nelson]

Another useful idea PW. Thank you

[greyhound352]

Thanks for the additional knot tip, great idea.