Do any of you knotters and riggers use a serving mallet? Here's a link that will explain 'worming' and 'serving' and pictures the tool called a serving mallet: http://www.schoonerman.com/sailingterms/serving-worming.htm. The tool was developed in the days of sailing ships and was used to protect ropes, sheets, and bends.
It's used to tighten the whipping on the ends of ropes. Sometimes I use paracord to wrap grips on walking sticks, hatchets, and other tools where loose cord is at least aggravating and can be dangerous. I preshrink all the paracord I buy, but it still stretches quite a bit in use. The serving mallet helps keep it evenly taught all along the length of the wrap.
I see... that would be usefu. hate burning my fingers trying to pull cord tight when wrapping something.
Usually if you try boiling cord it will shrink and won't expand... Might help. Sent from my iPad using Paracord Forum
