[lesleyo]

Hello!
I have only being paracording for a week, but I am addicted! I have made two dog leads and a collar.

This morning I read about shrinkage and am now re-thinking the collar in case the dog goes in the river and the collar strangles him.

I saw a video on You Tube where the cord shrunk by 6inches, do you all pre shrink your cord? Is there a manufactured pre-shrunk or non shrinking version?

 

[paracordist]

I always pre- shrink my paracord ,but it shrinking 6" I'm Not sure about.and I'm don't think they make pre-shrunk paracord.

 

[lesleyo]

Thanks for that. Do you pre shrink the whole hank and then cut off what you need? On the same video it shows how soaking the item after creation makes the knots tighter, it seemed a good idea.

I might have to keep cord pre shrunk and not so I can make both up. Sorry if I am rambling its all new to me.

 

[J-Will]

I have never pre shrunk cord honestly. I never get them wet though. I think you are on the right path though pre shrinking before you make it as it will be around the dogs neck. I know it will shrink a little bit, not sure about 6" though.

 

[J-Will]

BTW, welcome to the forum!

 

[paracordist]

I pre-shrink the whole Hank,and welcome to the forums nice to have you here.

 

[truggles]

I wear my bracelet 24/7, which means in the shower too. I have never experienced any shrinkage on anything. Maybe it's too small to notice on a bracelet, but I wouldn't think that a dog collar would be a whole lot different....Unless it's some sort or freak of nature huge dog, with a two foot neck.

 

[Hydrashoks]

i've found that if i make a bracelet that's too large on the wrist, that dropping it in really hot water will snug it up.

can't imagine preshrinking a whole bunch of rope before hand.

 

[ldenecke]

Preshrinking Paracord for dog Collars a MUST!!!

I made several dog collars with both commercial and even "true" military grade 550 cord. My dog wore the collar into the ocean. It was two fingers loose on his neck. After the ocean, the collar was uncomfortably snug on his neck. I removed the collar. After drying in the sun, the collar couldn't even fit around my dog's neck to click together. The snap buckles were now 3 inches apart from meeting around his neck! It had lost about 6 inches! Now imagine how dangerous that could be on a dog if it had dried and tightened without notice! Strangulation! 550 cord ABSOLUTELY shrinks in SIGNIFICANT amounts with exposure to the outdoor elements of water and sun (and I might assume body heat as well). Some might say salt water came into play. NO!!! I further experimented with fresh water with the same outcome. Dogs get wet (swimming, rain, etc.) and dogs lounge in the sun. BEWARE FOR DOG COLLAR USE!!! PRESHRINK THE CORD PRIOR TO USE ON A DOG!!! IT IS A STRANGULATION HAZARD IF NOT!!! You can shrink the cord before weaving or weave the collar larger and shrink the finished collar (but the latter is much harder to estimate for size). I tested singular paracord pieces and they all did shrink several inches - significant shrinkage to pose a threat as a dog collar if not preshrunk before actual use!!!

 

[MrParacord]

Good thing you were able to get to your dog in time.

How long did you let the paracord soak to get the results that you did?

 

[JAFO_Paracord]

I have never had paracord shrink as it shouldn't since it's nylon. Even if it does it loosens up. Cheers.


The best survival paracord is the one you never have to use.

 

[DaBigKahuna]

I usually pre-shrink. I don't do the whole hank though. Just measure out what I think I'll need, throw it into boiling water for a minute or two then hang it out to air dry overnight