Knots and Cordage?

[Smokey Plainsman]

Not sure if this is the right spot for this topic. If not please move. Thanks!

Guys I'm back at it again with another thread. I want to apologize for making so many... it's just that I have so many questions and you folks know a lot!

So I am wanting to add some powder measures and other things to the strap on my shooting pouch. I am wondering of some good knots to use so that leather coradge does not come undone.

I have found that using a normal knot doesn't work so well for leather cordage. Is there a special knot or method I need to use to make sure I'm not dropping powder measures all over the deer and squirrel woods?

Also I am wondering of a good source for cordage of the type that I should be using for this purpose. Also, for those of you who use powder measures hanging from cords on your bag etc., do you just let them dangle or do you otherwise secure them?

Thank you all so much for the help and continued support. I am just finally so glad to be shooting black powder rifles after so many years of putting off!

 

[Black Hand]

I drill a hole through the end of my measure, insert a leather thong or hemp string and use an overhand knot (the hole is just a little larger than the thong/string). You could also use a Bowline to create a loop that won't easily come undone.

That said, do yourself a favor and eliminate anything tied to your strap. My measure is tied to the neck of my horn and is tucked in my belt when not in use. Anything else should be in your pouch...

 

[Claude Mathis]

 

[Tom Compton]

Powder measure and horn tied to bag strap. Artificial sinew used to secure leather ends. One bag has measure attached to bag strap only w artificial sinew. Measure hangs inside the corner of the bag.
TC

 

[Rifleman1776]

Powder measure and horn tied to bag strap. Artificial sinew used to secure leather ends. One bag has measure attached to bag strap only w artificial sinew. Measure hangs inside the corner of the bag.
TC

Being a wax lubed nylon, artificial sinew knots can, and will at the most inconvenient times, pull open. AS knots need to be burned slightly to keep them secure. I have pretty much gotten away from using it at all.

 

[Kansas Jake]

A little off topic, but related, Mother Earth News had an article in one of the last few issues on using plants to make cordage including stinging nettle etc. I don't have the issue here as I shared it with my daughter. It provided information on making cordage with common plants. It was fairly complete with pictures etc.

 

[Gene L]

Nettle makes very strong cordage. So does flax. You have to ret it so the outside dries and is removable. Hemp, of course, the long type of plant that's grown for hemp and not marijuana.

 

[Gene L]

What's the smaller fixture? Looks good, I've got mine on a hemp string affixed to my bag, actually inside my bag. If I had more experience, I wouldn't have to ask.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

Nettle makes very strong cordage. So does flax. You have to ret it so the outside dries and is removable. Hemp, of course, the long type of plant that's grown for hemp and not marijuana.

The outermost layer of the stalks of milkweed will also make cordage, if you strip it off, dry it, and then rehydrate it by soaking, and you may find that it grows a lot of places.

The Boy Scout merit badge book on Pioneering has good information on knots and handling rope, including making your own.

LD

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

I did Boy Scouts but buddy it's been a long time since then! I'll have to brush up on the bowline knot.

 

[Black Hand]

I did Boy Scouts but buddy it's been a long time since then! I'll have to brush up on the bowline knot.

Rabbit comes out of the hole, around the tree and back into the hole. It's like riding a bicycle - it comes back quickly even after many years not riding...

 

[Gene L]

Rabbit comes out of the hole, DOWN AND AROUND, and back and through.

I learned this in Ranger School and have never forgotten it. First, throw a loop and go from there.

 

[Black Hand]

Rabbit comes out of the hole, DOWN AND AROUND, and back and through.

I learned this in Ranger School and have never forgotten it. First, throw a loop and go from there.

Just remember to throw your loop the correct way, otherwise it doesn't work...

 

[SgtErv]

It'll come back. I put together a tripod to cook in a copper kettle suspended over the fire the other day; it was almost muscle memory with the clove hitch and square lashing.

On tying stuff to your bag - I do so sparingly, and mainly just so that it's tethered. I have a single piece of leather lace punched through the strap. On either end is a powder measure and a pick/awl. They go in my bag when not in use. The lace slides easily through its hole, so I can use a shorter piece. If I need the measure I pull it, or the pick I just pull the other side, if that makes sense

Hemp cordage, sold in a lot of craft sites, would work well, too. It's how my hammer stall and powder horn plug are tied on. I'd wax it every so often if you use it

 

[Loyalist Dave]

On tying stuff to your bag - I do so sparingly

Yep I like to attach the end of the thong to the strap close to the bag itself, because as far as my Karma goes, if I attach the thong higher up, there is more of it to get snagged on a bush as I brush past. :shocked2:

In my case, as I was once in the Infantry, they are called dummy-cords, so I won't be a foolish and lose the items. I have a Swiss Army knife that I have carried for 20 + years, and it's dummy-corded to me each morning before I leave for work. :wink: This I credit for my long ownership. :grin:

LD

 

[SgtErv]

:rotf:

Yes - to both instances. Tying it low on the bag strap helps.

And, yeah...I picked up the practice courtesy of some zealous NCOs and a younger, dumb private version of myself that misplaced a set of keys :haha:

It works, though, as long as you are not mimicking a Christmas tree with everything under the sun dangling from your person. The trick is to have somewhere to stash the stuff that's dummy corded, like a pocket or bag.

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

Thanks, all! I'll try the knots mentioned here. I only plan to add a couple fixed powdered measures to my bag strap and probably a nipple pick. I also experimented and used some boot string to tie a small measure for my Navy Colt to the bag to test it out. I found I could wrap it around the bag strap a couple times when not in use to keep it from swinging about. Worked well.

 

[running horse]

When tying a leather thong it may be helpful to get it wet first which will make it more pliable and it should stay tied better

 

[jbwilliams3]

Also I am wondering of a good source for cordage of the type that I should be using for this purpose. Also, for those of you who use powder measures hanging from cords on your bag etc., do you just let them dangle or do you otherwise secure them?

Just slip the charger into your shooting bag when you’re not using it, if you prefer it not dangle around.

 

[Claude Mathis]

What's the smaller fixture? Looks good, I've got mine on a hemp string affixed to my bag, actually inside my bag. If I had more experience, I wouldn't have to ask.

This is not mine, but it appears that the small item is the plug for the horn. There seems to be a large, round loop in the center of the cord that probably attaches everything to the horn.