Paramon: Paracord Monster

Back at the workbench!

I’ve been spending my time lately experimenting with some high-spec materials to create a custom crossbody bag strap for myself. I'm really leaning into the technical side of the build.

Two weeks ago, I put together a version using 550 lb paracord. This week, I’ve stepped it up to 750 lb to give the crossbody strap a more substantial feel. I used 4 major knots to create the structure and paired it with heavy-duty 65mm swivel snap hooks made of 316 stainless steel.

I'm already loving how solid this feels, but I’m still in the R&D phase. Still refining the look, and testing out the hardware. For now, I'm just enjoying the process of making something "overbuilt" and wanted to share the progress.

What do you think of this Blue and Orange combo?

Paracord Monster started as a simple hobby back in 2013. I began making paracord accessories for myself simply because I loved the utility and the craft.

By 2014, friends and colleagues noticed the survival bracelets I was wearing and the paracord camera strap I was using. They’d ask, "Where did you buy that?" and once they realized I’d made it myself, the custom orders started rolling in. Back then, the page was called 17th Paracord Manila—mostly because I created it on June 17th and hadn't thought of a better name yet! This was also before Shopee and Lazada were "a thing" in the Philippines; we did everything through DMs, SMS, and old-school shipping via LBC and Xend.

Eventually, between a full-time job and the usual daily grind, my gear ended up gathering dust. I spent a few years exploring other hobbies, and my creative focus was a bit all over the place. Still, no matter what I was doing, I missed the tactile feeling of making something. While I'm bringing this online shop back to life, my heart is really in the process itself. In such a digital world, there is something incredibly grounding about working with my hands and tying knots that are built to last.

I’m getting back to the basics of what made me love this more than a decade ago while developing new designs. To the 3,900+ of you who are still here—thank you for sticking around. I can’t wait to show you what I’ve been working on.