TITAN Survival's SurvivorCord

This will be a long review, but I was impressed and wanted to be thorough. I first wanted to give a shout out to Jarod and Shannon at Titan. I did have some questions and concerns that they addressed extremely quickly and very professionally. The first email I sent to them with a question, before I even had my cord, and they responded to my email within a couple hours. I have worked with other sellers on Amazon before but none have been as fast, fair and friendly as Jarod and Shannon. They have earned my future business anytime I need paracord. Now on to the review... Sorry I had pictures to accompany this but could not get my old camera to download the pics to my pc, grrrrrr... I just got back from a multi-day camping trip. A portion of this trip was intended to be used to test several pieces of new gear for me. One of those new items was, Titan SurvivorCord. This is their mil-spec paracord with the 3 additional survival cords added, brass wire, waxed jute and 25lb monofilament fishing line. So that you know, I was in the Army (Airborne Infantry) and had the chance to use the real mil-spec 550, so I do have a base line for comparison with the mil-spec cord. I have also been an outdoorsman, hunter, fisherman, camper and (the fairly new term) prepper, for over 25 years so I have some knowledge of how the 3 additional strands might be used as well. 1st the cord itself - There are many many different makers of paracord available on Amazon and elsewhere and I currently have at least 6 different brands, all claiming to be mil-spec. FYI, if it says "commercial" paracord or 550, it does not come close to being as good as mil-spec. Additionally even those claiming to be mil-spec are not always, buyer beware and pay attention to the reviews. I am not here to, nor is it not my intention to, bad mouth other companies or tell anyone not to buy someone else product. I will say however, that the Titan brand cord (with the added survival strands removed) feels stronger than what I had access to in the Army. It is very tightly woven, both the outer sheath and inner strands and just feels better. Though I did not test the breaking strength of the "550", which Titan actually rates higher at 620lbs (I think), I did hang my, somewhat larger than I would like, 230lb self from a tree branch on a single strand with no problem. I had no issues with the 550 and plan to purchase a lot more of the regular Titan cord without the added strands. I would trust my life and survival to this cord. 2nd, the fishing line - I did not actually fish with the monofilament line in the Titan cord, but it appeared to be good quality. I compared the breaking strength of it to regular fishing line from my reel, also 25lb, and they had the same or very close to the same breaking point. One drawback to the use of this as a survival cord for fishing is that it is a challenge to withdraw the individual lines from the SurvivorCord without cutting it down to about 5' lengths. This would make it difficult to use the fishing line unless you pulled all the inner strands out together then separated the fishing line. I think this is only relevant to the fishing line and not the jute or wire because you would not need the jute or wire in any more than a 5' section. If, in a survival situation you needed to fish, I am sure you could pull all 100' but would have to pull all the internal strands out together making it so that you would no longer have the full 550lb cord. But individually all the inner cords and outer sheath are still extremely useful. 3rd; the fire starter/ waxed jute - It is a little more challenging, compared to regular store bought jute twine, to separate the jute into its fibrous state to use as tinder or make a 'birds nest' due to the thinness need to add this into the 550, but it is manageable and still very usable. It took a spark from a ferro rod very easily once separated. Without separating into fibers it will still work well as a tinder but not easy to start with a ferro rod. I did a direct comparison to another paracord being sold as a survival item, only adding a fire starter, with mil-spec 550 and having an additional inner cord that is red and is a proprietary chemical fire starting "tinder" similar to the waxed jute in the Titan cord. While the red fire starter worked about as well as the jute in the Titan cord, the cord itself was not even close to as strong as Titans and the individual strands inside were about 1/2 as thick and it cost more than double what the SurvivorCord costs. I did have pictures showing the comparison and it was obviously inferior to the Titan cord in those photos. (sorry again for not being able to attach those) 4th was the wire - It was actually stronger than expected since it has to be thin enough to fit into the 550 with the other inner strands. I made several snares and traps and trip lines using the wire and regular inner strands of the 550. I tested the snares with a stick, no live animals were harmed in the testing of this product, lol. It is not a braided wire like aircraft cable, it is more like picture hanging wire but useful for many things. I also made a Swedish torch and used the wire at the base of the log to prevent it from splitting during the burn and it worked well for that. There are only 2 negatives I can say about this cord, but these do not detract from, IMO, the awesomness of this cord. As already mentioned, withdrawing only 1 strand (the fishing line) can be difficult if you need more than a 5' continuous length. The other negative is that the SurvivorCord is much stiffer than regular paracord and is more difficult to tie complex knots or make small loops. But again as a survival item, I do not think those 2 negatives matter as much and if you are only interested in using it as a cord, get the regular Titan cord not the SurvivorCord. This was a very long review and I thank you if you read the whole thing. I just was very impressed with this cord and wanted to get a lot of my findings out there for others that may be considering this cord. I plan to use the Titan cord (regular not the survivalcord) for all my 550 needs moving forward. When my other brands are used up they will be replaced with Titan. One of my questions to Jarod and Shannon was the availability of longer than 100' lengths and that is in the works but they have been very busy keeping up with demand for the SurvivorCord that they haven't been able to make the longer lengths available yet. The SurvivalCord has already replaced all my lanyards on knives and sheaths, pull cords on zippers and am planning on making a belt out of it after I buy some more. For what it is, it is the best 550 and survival cord I have seen.

Paracord is already amazing. Milspec paracord is even more butch. Then there's Titan SurvivorCord. It's a little stiffer and slightly bulkier than standard paracord, but it's barely noticeable. You may notice when tying knots with smaller hooks and turns, but it doesn't seem like it would be a problem. I tied a snake knot lanyard with the cord to try it out and it bound tightly and securely, as it should. This review is going to run long, so let me sum up for those who don't need the details: It came exactly as pictured, and the included velcro binding strap is a nice freebie. The cord feels nice in the hand, and it's high quality is apparent when you handle it. Mine had no bulges or kinks and is completely smooth for the entire 100-foot length. I think this cord is absolutely the best you can buy, easily five stars and despite all of this, their pricing is competitive. To be honest, the 'survivor' extras in this cord are absolutely a last ditch resource for me. I don't see myself ever stripping the waxed jute out of this cord, or the wire, or the fishing line in order to actually use them in the field. I might do it for the novelty of it, but just knowing they're in there, whatever I use the cord for, is reassuring. I do like the higher weight capacity (greater than 600lbs) and I plan to try out the tensile strength of the line by using it for a suspended tent rig. I expect it will handle the load nicely. I bought this with a Spool Tool and this line is definitely a little bulkier than standard milspec paracord. (If you don't yet have a Spool Tool, I can't recommend it highly enough!) The Spool Tool can't quite handle 100-feet of this cord. That's not a horrible problem to have, but it's something to be aware of. Photo - My orange Spool Tool is loaded with a little over 85-feet of this paracord. I don't claim to be adept at winding tightly, so if you're good at that, you can probably pack more onto your spool. You can see that the ends of the spool are just about overloaded, and the more you do that, the more likely it is to slip off, so wind with care. I am also not a great photographer, obviously, but you can see the detail of the three special strands: 25lb. Test Fishing Line: The fishing line was a pleasant surprise: it's thick and strong, not the thin stuff you often see in survival products where it's a value-add. I would absolutely trust it as a catch-all survival situation fishing line. 30 AWG (American Wire Gauge) Wire: The wire IS thin, but seems strong. I doubt it would be stiff enough or stout enough as snare wire in a single strand (reliable snares use braided cable a minimum of 1/32 of an inch for squirrel-sized animals, and get thicker as the animals get bigger), but I would trust it doubled or tripled up for actual use in a snare. Waxed Jute Tinder Line: The waxed jute is pretty amazing. Six inches of this stuff shredded up makes for a nice pile of tinder. As you can see in the image, it is a fairly thick strand, and I'm sure it is responsible for most of the additional bulk in the cord. All in all, I think you should try Titan SurvivorCord, or if you don't need the extras, Titan WarriorCord will cover your needs nicely. I researched the other survival paracords out there, and while there are many with appealing features, I feel that this is the best available. I also love what I've read about the company, they seem to be an awesome group. Related Products: Titan Paracord Fasteners (5-pack) - TITAN Paracord Fasteners (5-Pack), Black, 8.5" x 3/4" - The perfect fastener for securing your 550 paracord / parachute cord or bundling wires and cables in the office. Spool Tool - Paracord Planet Spool Tool - Holds up to 100 Feet of Paracord - Perfect for your Survival and Bug Out Bags and Crafting Tools and Holder All in one Titan WarriorCord (For their branding on Amazon, it seems Titan is not using this product name, they're just calling it MilSpec 550 Paracord, but after comparing it to their WarriorCord product on their site, it appears these are the same product.) - TITAN MIL-SPEC 550 Paracord / Parachute Cord, 100 Feet, Forest Camo | Authentic MIL-C-5040, Type III, 7 Strand, 5/32" (4mm) Diameter, Military Survival Paracords.

Titan ParaCord is a very well built, dependable product exceeding MIL standards. Their SurvivorCord goes three steps beyond being the best ParaCord I've handled, adding three strands: a 25# monofilament, a 30AWG brass wire, and a filament of waxed Jute fibers. These additions so useful in an emergency situation increase the strength of the cord at the expense of increased stiffness. Products like ParaCord bracelets, lanyards, fobs, etc., are sold as "just in case" items... those made with a good ParaCord are also stiff, not the thing for a casual accessory to match your outdoor, going for a daily walk wear, but rather these are "just in case" items. If made with SurvivorCord, they'd make even more sense. So, then, "Survival" craft items are surely a place for this cord, but so, too, just having a 20ft hank of this in your pack is a more ready-to-use just-in-case adder. To that end, I've purchased the Safety-Orange and Zombie-Green colors to set this cord apart from their standard WarriorCord (which also exceeds MIL Specs). I've added 20ft Butterfly-wound hanks as adders to my Readiness Kit and those given to my family members, and added a 20ft hank to my car kit and backpack. The usefulness of SurvivorCord? The use of the wire for a snare or electrical conductor makes sense, and is very doable, just a 20ft hank gives a good deal of 30AWG, even doubled and twisted, to be useful. So, too, for a 20ft length of 25# monofilament makes a very workable length for a fishing line or trip wire. For those who aren't familiar with using waxed Jute as a fire starter, rest assured waxed Jute makes a long burning and persistent candle (here may need to be doubled or tripled and twisted) and when frayed takes a spark readily. I use a 3/16" diameter 9" long section of Hardware Store Jute Twine (1/16" tripled) quickly dipped in melted wax to make a long-burning utility match - a 20ft hank of SurvivorCord would make a few of these. (Note: Unwaxed Jute Twine rubbed and fluffed makes a bird's nest ball of tinder that is easy to spark to flame.) There are less expensive "Fire Starter ParaCord" products on the market, many are likely made with a waxed cotton - but waxed cotton doesn't fray as easily as waxed jute, and I've not been able to spark to flame the frayed end of a similar utility match as described above that has been made from cotton twine, while the Jute has worked. Of course, both light with a Bic or match. The Jute works better. I'd recommend hanks of SurvivorCord for your Survival Gear Kit, Bug Out Bag, Car Kits, etc. I'd recommend Titan's WarriorCord as your bulk cordage, or for ParaCord ridge lines, or loops you tie for tarp tie-outs or for hanging gear... WarriorCord more supple, and will take knots better than SurvivorCord. One more step beyond... as a buyer of Titan's product, I've received a thank you email with links to both specs and usage and project PDF downloads. For those who have an interest in making those wrist bands, watch bands, lanyards, and fobs with cleverly made wraps, this practice adds to customer satisfaction.

Great product. 25% wider than other brands. Well worth the money.

So... yes. It has some cool features. Most of them I will never use though. I like the jute twine in it. However, pulling it apart is a little bit of a pain. The fishing line is a nice addition, and I’ve used to lash some smaller things that I felt using the actual cord for would’ve been overkill. Pulling the individual lines out isn’t that bad if you figure out a good method. ——For me, that was cutting a length of cord that I knew I could still use for something else later (usually a few feet), the move the mantle down a couple inches on one side, cut a couple inches off the line you want and move the mantle back up. Tie a knot at the end of that side, so it will anchor all the other lines, and you move the mantle pretty far down the other side, making it easier to pull the line out. Move the mantle back up, and seal it. Good as new, and you got a useable amount of the line out.—— On with the review... So, I found my self hesitant to use the cord, because I was worried about wasting it. Also, I found the snare wire tends to poke out at the ends no matter what, or sometimes may breakin the line, causing it to slowly cut the mantle apart (cutting through I’ve only seen once, it was even somewhat common, I would’ give 4 stars). The cord itself is great, but you bought this to be more than just paracord, and it is. My hesitation to use it because of waste is my problem, I know. But if you’re like me, you tend to be mindful of these things. I ended up buying a 500’ roll of 850lb xcord, and I love it, and use it as my standard go to. I save the survivor cord for making lanyards on some of my gear, so it’s just an extra handy tool to have on me. Buy some. It’s good stuff. Don’t look at it as your go to, everyday cord though. Just my .02

If you have worked with 750 lb cord or higher then you should have no problems with this cord. It is much thicker than standard 550 lb paracord for the obvious reasons but it is soft and pliable enough. It does make for some pretty thick bracelets but I have yet to make one that was uncomfortable. It is true though that you do have to pull back a little bit of the ends to cut back some of the copper wire otherwise if the copper ends do stick out they can poke and be of discomfort. Fairly easy remedy. Sometimes the melted nylon from the cords cover most of the copper wire anyway so I have never had that problem really but did start cutting back some of the wire from the ends that are to be melted. The color of this cord is awesome! It has a rich metallic coppery brown and black stripe pattern. Clearly high quality cord. And it should be, all of Titan brand paracord is top notch! This awesome cord is no exception. I cut a 12 inch strip to take it apart and analyze/test it's internal contents and here are the results of my findings below - The 7 nylon strands themselves are excellent quality. Tightly woven and each incorporates a triple strand rather than the common double strand. That alone make it a far more superior cord even at 550lb! The copper wire, thin as it is, is surprisingly durable and flexible under stress. I bowed, bent and twisted that sucker 2 dozen times and it still had not frayed or snapped. I agree, double or triple wrapping the copper wire would make a fairly decent snare or even a conductor. I took the 12 inches of waxed jute, loosely balled it up and then took a ferrocerium rod to it, after about 7 or 8 good strikes the cord finally did catch on fire though seemed to burn up fairly quickly (About 5 seconds of solid burn time). Probably would work better with magnesium shards to burn longer. The fishing line seems pretty durable. I took the 12 inches from the paracord sheath and twisted it around a bench vice and a metal pipe and gave it a good tug for several seconds. The line never stretched or broke so I am guessing the fishing line is at least 20-30 lb. test which works well for most river/lake/creek fishing on the fly. I even took the 12 inches of copper wire and fashioned a small "Ball" out of it to make a small sinker weight which did OK but it might work better in securing a small rock or something to the fishing line instead. All-in-all I am VERY pleased with this cord and I am looking forward to seeing what awesome design TITAN comes up with next. I am hoping also, that once the patent has been approved that they will make this cord in other colors as well.

High quality specialized paracord but exspensive

This product is amazing. I will definately buy more in the future. It has a few oddities when compared to normal paracord but they are unavoidable/acceptable due to the nature of what this cord can do. For example as you might immagine the wire and the twine dont melt...which makes fusing the ends harder. But that is an acceptable oddity due to the fact tha this cord can do far more than your normal cord. It is a bit tricky to work with doing crafts and such because of the extra cords. None of those extra 3 like to bend or hold shape as well as the nylons cords do, but if you work at it you CAN get the cord to look like any other belt, bracelet, etc. you just have to have to pull on it more and have more patience. The casing around the cord is a tiny bit loose...but I realized why when I tried to remove JUST the fishing line. If you tie the other 8 strands down or clamp down on them with pliers at one end...then pull on the fishing line at the other end I succeeded in pulling out the fishing line alone without removing the other 8 strands. Only tried this with an 8 foot piece however (roughly the size of a paracord bracelet) and it worked. Those are the 3 oddities or "cons" you might say of this cord...but i find them acceptable due to how well it works. The snare wire is shockingly strong. The fact it doesn't burn comes in handy later on if you use it for things like cooking. Only tested it out on a test snare not to actuallly catch anything but it seems like it should hold up against most small game. The fishing line is just as you might expect. Play with it and figure out your ideal syste for how to pull it out without pulling out all 9 strands with the "tools you have in bug out bag mode" and I am sure you will appreciate having that extra line. As for the waxed twine...wow! Never seen anything light that easily. Pull it apart make a birds next and it ignights with the first spark. Be ready though...it burns so fast and so easy you will have to start over if you dont have it positioned right with the other branches and twigs and what not standing by. Well worth the purchase. They have another 100' haunch I wanna buy that has...if you can believe it EVEN MORE benefits. A new orange band that does not only all of this...but has reflective fibers AND glow in the dark fibers woven into the outer sheath! Its already on their site but I gonna wait and buy it when it shows up here on amazon. ((Only downside to this company at all is they do kind of repeatedly send you emails to rate their product. But...their customer service is pretty good if you email them back asking them questions...so had I asked they might have stopped.))

Great item to have for bushcraft and camping/ hunting

Excellent product

Es ist etwas steif, was aufgrund des Drahtes und der Angelsehne aber normal ist.

I thought I had bought the green one originally, anyhow , good quality Paracord,

Super