First crack with a bristle / paracord tutorial (PHOTO HEAVY)

[Squelchtone]

Received some bristles from "YouLuckyFox" today, so all credit goes to him for this one.

Here's the results of my first bristle attempt. I didn't stencil, just eyeballed from a factory Bogota.

Started with some thinning using a massive flat file.
http://s1383.photobucket.com/user/comradehotsauce/media/20150219_133229_zpsykxrdiwy.jpg.html

Moved to a small semicircle shaped file to get a curve on the end.
http://s1383.photobucket.com/user/comradehotsauce/media/20150219_143745_zps0ngtpurj.jpg.html

Used a round file and took out the bottom of the diamond-ish tip.
http://s1383.photobucket.com/user/comradehotsauce/media/20150219_144231_zpsrzedwowd.jpg.html

Quick progress comparison.
http://s1383.photobucket.com/user/comradehotsauce/media/20150219_145305_zpsh15zc6rh.jpg.html

Now that the bulk is out of the way, it's time for some gentle filing.
http://s1383.photobucket.com/user/comradehotsauce/media/20150219_151912_zpsr01oomaa.jpg.html

Moving on to the polishing phase. I started with 400 grit sand paper (depending on the condition of the metal, this may starting grit may vary). I cut off a sheet of sand paper about 3x3 inches, and just went in circles until I was happy with it.
After the pick had a gash free surface, I upgraded to 800, then 1000, then 2000 grit to get a shine on it. Note, I didn't shine up the entire pick, just the part that enters the lock. I suppose this is personal preference, I also expected this pick to fail miserably being my first crack with a bristle, so I admittedly didn't go the whole 9 there.
http://s1383.photobucket.com/user/comradehotsauce/media/20150219_151936_zpsfmkxanyh.jpg.html
http://s1383.photobucket.com/user/comradehotsauce/media/20150219_152423_zps7362d18l.jpg.html

ONWARD TO PARACORD!

Alright, I see a lot of paracord (550 cord) mentioned in the forums and usually after it's mentioned I read that it might be too thick. Gents, it's all in how you manage the cord; Here's how I do it. This makes the 2nd pick I've done this way and if done properly (or better) you'll still have your beloved tactile feedback.

1. If you cord is seared at the tip, cut the sear off and wiggle it about a little so it looks like this.
http://s1383.photobucket.com/user/comradehotsauce/media/20150219_152510_zps5p2jfizr.jpg.html

2. Estimate how much cord you'll need and pull the nylon "guts" out, and cut them away of need be. You'll see the guts in the background of this picture. The reason I pull the guts out is that it simply removes the bulk of the cord, and allows for a flatter shape when pressed or stretched.http://s1383.photobucket.com/user/comradehotsauce/media/20150219_152519_zpsvg8sl0qk.jpg.html

3. Using a regular ol' cigarette lighter, burn the tip of the cord just enough to keep the fibers from going stray.
http://s1383.photobucket.com/user/comradehotsauce/media/20150219_152538_zpsrq4fsedx.jpg.html

4. Go ahead and attempt to use your pick, noting how far into a lock it needs to go to hit the back. I'd recommend trying this on a 6 or 7 pin if you have one available. Once you see the farthest the pick goes in, make a mark a little further back from the lock to allow some buffer space, and make two notches in the pick. When making the notches, they should be steep, but should not come to a V, as that can weaken the pick.
http://s1383.photobucket.com/user/comradehotsauce/media/20150219_152808_zpsyuut8ej4.jpg.html


5. Not photographed for some reason, also make a single notch and the very end of the handle. This will help secure the paracord. See MS paint attempt at recreating photograph.
http://s1383.photobucket.com/user/comradehotsauce/media/notchcrap_zps9914e485.png.html



6. Slide the lightly seared end of the paracord over the pick, from the handle towards the tip, stopping at the notches. Once there, scoot the cord up another millimeter or two, as it will shrink during heating.
Now, holding it in place, melt the end of the cord, pausing here and there to use something metal (I used pliers) to push the nylon goop into the notches you cut. You may have to pause several times for this, I think I paused about 5 times.
http://s1383.photobucket.com/user/comradehotsauce/media/20150219_153537_zpsqpyoveng.jpg.html

7. Without pulling TOO hard, remove any slack from the handle of the pick, and pull it back towards where you started, pull it around and tuck it through.
http://s1383.photobucket.com/user/comradehotsauce/media/20150219_153708_zpskksrsovc.jpg.html

8. From here, you can execute a simple spiral wrap, or get all fancy with it like I did because, why not. The key here is to cinch the ever living **** out of the paracord while wrapping the handle. If you're unsure about how much force to use, go about 1 degree below permanently bending the handle. You'll see that instead of a simple spiral wrap, I did an "over-under" pattern. I find that this helps hold the tension of the cord, but maybe I'm just paranoid. If you decide to use the same method, it will be necessary for you to wedge something like a tension wrench between the two longways pieces of cord and twisting it in order to get a gap big enough to push the cord though each time.
http://s1383.photobucket.com/user/comradehotsauce/media/20150219_153912_zpsoawkrg46.jpg.html
http://s1383.photobucket.com/user/comradehotsauce/media/20150219_154218_zps5xvsegqg.jpg.html

9. Whichever method you use to wrap, once you reach the end of the handle you'll need to go under the cord to make it secure like so.
http://s1383.photobucket.com/user/comradehotsauce/media/20150219_154320_zps2swht3mc.jpg.html

10. Cut off excess paracord here, after the last wrap. Notice that I'd left about 1/8th to 1/4th inch of cord still sitting there.
http://s1383.photobucket.com/user/comradehotsauce/media/20150219_154343_zpsgwv7hkz6.jpg.html

11. Using your finger, fray up the end of the cord a little, enough to get some small space between the fibers. This will help the cord catch fire.
Now, using a regular ol' lighter again, catch the remaining nub of paracord on fire and let it melt down. If it starts to go out, just expose it to more fire. The goal here is to achieve a smoldering blob of nylon sitting on the end of the handle. Immediately after the flame stops (or while it's still on fire, doesn't really matter so long as its smoldering and melted completely) use something metal (again, I used pliers) and push around the hot blob into and against the handle like you're trying to rub it in, because you are. Once the blob cools, the nylon will have melted into all the little crevices of the cord it's sitting on, securing it in place. If it looks ugly and jagged that's okay. The nylon solidifies harder than it originally was, so some light strokes of a file will clean it right up.
http://s1383.photobucket.com/user/comradehotsauce/media/20150219_154446_zps9lfpasgl.jpg.html

12. Taking the pick in hand ( or by pliers) by the exposed metal, run your lighter slowly up and down the handle to get rid of any stray fibers that may get caught up on something. As far as handle maintenance goes, this is about it. Just do this every so often when the handle gets "fuzzy".
http://s1383.photobucket.com/user/comradehotsauce/media/20150219_154618_zpsu2ue2ncz.jpg.html

13. Get picking.

[femurat]

WOW the pictures are way too big... do you mind to reduce them to 800x600 pixel? If you're unable to edit your post just let me know and I'll be happy to do it for you.

Cheers

[Comrade627]

WOW the pictures are way too big... do you mind to reduce them to 800x600 pixel? If you're unable to edit your post just let me know and I'll be happy to do it for you.

Cheers

That was actually my first thought, but I don't have an edit button. It seems that posting using Photobucket from my PC makes the pictures huge, but from mobile they remain normal size.

[Big Jesse]

I like the paracord idea! ive never seen that. great write up! i noticed your marine corp 'cover' in the back ground. semper fi brother!