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  1. #1
    Senior Member Mouseskowitz's Avatar
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    Is all shock cord created equal?

    I'm putting together a shopping list for an upcoming project. Today I was looking at shock cord. The prices ranged from ~$0.07-0.66 a foot for 1/8 inch. I understand that there are different ranges of elasticity and that 100% is what I'm looking for. So the question becomes is the expensive Schaefer brand stuff from West Marine ten times better than the cheep stuff from Supply Captain?

  2. #2
    Boothill's Avatar
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    i use the stuff from supply captain and am very happy with it, seems to be as good or better than any other i've seen or used

    boot
    The surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that it has never tried to contact us. ~Bill Watterson

  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by Boothill View Post
    i use the stuff from supply captain and am very happy with it, seems to be as good or better than any other i've seen or used

    boot
    ^^^This...

  4. #4
    Senior Member WV's Avatar
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    I've bought shock cord from Quest Outfitters and Supply Captain - both are excellent. I got some cheap stuff on eBay, and it's usable for some things, but not as strong. I expect that the cottage vendors who frequent this forum understand our needs and stock superior materials. I wouldn't hesitate to order shock cord from any of them.

  5. #5
    Senior Member DemostiX's Avatar
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    Marine environments are tough. West Marine is not inexpensive.

    That said, we looooooooves our shock cord, and might to better off with less of it following analysis of just how much or little is required and what strength it should be. Foks who are concerned with breaking strengths of regular cord freely include shock cord of unknown but almost certainly lower initial strength and unknown durability compared to what they would be comfortable with if they knew.

    I'm glad to hear of specific recommendations for sources.

  6. #6
    Senior Member turnerminator's Avatar
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    The black core shock cord ( Nitrilel rubber, Neoprene?)seems to last much longer than the white core (Latex).

    It seems to keep more elasticity in cold weather too.

  7. #7
    Senior Member oldgringo's Avatar
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    I buy from Paul @ Arrowhead Equipment. Support a fellow hammocker.
    Dave

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  8. #8
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    Bought some off eBay last year and it is JUNK! Lo stretch, cheaply made.

    I'm happy with the stuff I bought from diygearsupply.com
    Luckily I have a couple of sources for good quality SC nearby - a few different outfitters and West Marine. As stated above, West Marine is not inexpensive.

  9. #9
    Senior Member Shnick's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by spiffy View Post
    Bought some off eBay last year and it is JUNK! Lo stretch, cheaply made.

    I'm happy with the stuff I bought from diygearsupply.com
    Luckily I have a couple of sources for good quality SC nearby - a few different outfitters and West Marine. As stated above, West Marine is not inexpensive.

    I agree, there is a lot of junk on eBay, I trust one ebay seller, he sells USA products only and I go back to him all the time. After 3 purchases my camper rebuild project and saltwater immersed bungees still have stretch and strength. His eBay name is "ropeydopey" and he's good people. He explained to me that there ARE two types of shock cord, but the differences isn't so much in the stretch material as it is the outside shell material. I told him what I needed for saltwater application and he pointed me in the right direction. (polyurethane core/polyester casing) I used bungee material to hold bait to a crab pot and this stuff is tough against abrasions/blue crab claws.

    Shnick
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  10. #10
    Senior Member Mouseskowitz's Avatar
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    Thanks for the info. I think I'll try the stuff from Supply Captain. I was in a West Marine yesterday and was really impressed with their costumer service, talked to the staff for about 45 minutes. They said they will price match the internet other than stuff like eBay. So, I'll be going back for Amsteel and lash-it but I'm thinking the shock cord isn't worth it.

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