Kevlar cord for Metolius Master Cam

Does anyone know where I can find some 1mm kevlar core cord with nylon sheath for replacing the trigger "wires" on Metolius Master cams?  Maybe someone has a spool and could send me a few feet?

Why not just send them into metolius? They’ll clean and lube your cams to boot

Phil Sakievich wrote:

Why not just send them into metolius? They’ll clean and lube your cams to boot

I only have one cam that needs repair currently and return shipping costs $10.

I have a piece of 1.5 mm (yes, that's fatter than Met trigger cord) cord here you can have. I don't think it's Kevlar though, as the inner strands melt in a match flame. But it's crazy tough. It was the "lace" on Salomon snowboard inner boots. I've used it for other repairs and it's impressive. 1.5 mm though.

Another possible option: if there's a good tennis pro shop near you, see if they can give you a short piece of 19 gauge string. This is a longshot though, as 19 G is the thinnest string there is, and few players use it.

Will the trimmer line repair work for these?

https://www.alpinesavvy.com/blog/repair-a-cam-with-trimmer-line-tutorial

Another option is to replace the trigger wire with a guitar string. They are thin and pretty durable. 

I used to use narrow gauge Kevlar line for sailing.  One could cut it but could not melt it or burn it, so we would melt it’s nylon sheath to prevent fraying ends.   We used it because it was stiff, tough and narrow, so a knotted loop would slide easily along a boom.

As a trigger wire, it might not be ideal because the stiffness would make it hard to knot off and the need for a nylon sheath would make it thicker than wanted.  Lastly the trigger wires don’t bare weight in a fall so to durability would not add value to justify the cost.  

I believe the Kevlar branded line is no longer available but Aramid is the same fiber or very similar fiber which is currently  available. 

I'd head to a boating store and buy a reel of Liros Optisail or a similar thin leech line if you absolutely wanted a sheathed line.

Personally I'd prefer a 1mm non-sheathed dyneema line. Pure dyneema lines are pretty supple whereas sheathed lines are significantly stiffer.

https://www.liros.com/catalog/en/optisail-im-verkaufskarton-1-2mm-20x20m-p3382/

It doesn't quite match your specs (0.2mm too thick, dyneema core rather than kevlar, and polyester rather than nylon sheath) but it's a pretty nice line; I use it for guy lines for my lean-to.

Don't know if it'll float your boat but salomon makes (or did last time I bought) there quick laces out of kevlar

Gunkiemike wrote:

I have a piece of 1.5 mm (yes, that's fatter than Met trigger cord) cord here you can have. I don't think it's Kevlar though, as the inner strands melt in a match flame. But it's crazy tough. It was the "lace" on Salomon snowboard inner boots. I've used it for other repairs and it's impressive. 1.5 mm though.

Another possible option: if there's a good tennis pro shop near you, see if they can give you a short piece of 19 gauge string. This is a longshot though, as 19 G is the thinnest string there is, and few players use it.

Have you used it to repair master cams? I read that they use kevlar cord because it doesn't stretch.  I would assume that tennis string stretches over time.

Ken Tubbs wrote:

Will the trimmer line repair work for these?

Trimmer line would stretch too I believe.

Cameron Preston wrote:

Another option is to replace the trigger wire with a guitar string. They are thin and pretty durable.

I thought about that but I would like to repair according to the Metolius guide. I already "repaired" it with a paper clip and its kinda jank.

Live Perched wrote:

I used to use narrow gauge Kevlar line for sailing.  One could cut it but could not melt it or burn it, so we would melt it’s nylon sheath to prevent fraying ends.   We used it because it was stiff, tough and narrow, so a knotted loop would slide easily along a boom.

As a trigger wire, it might not be ideal because the stiffness would make it hard to knot off and the need for a nylon sheath would make it thicker than wanted.  Lastly the trigger wires don’t bare weight in a fall so to durability would not add value to justify the cost.  

I believe the Kevlar branded line is no longer available but Aramid is the same fiber or very similar fiber which is currently  available. 

The sheath seems critical to the method that Metolius recommends for repair and the durability is justified since rock can damage the cord when in tight placements, which is what happened to me.  Metolius uses the sheath to create a ball on the end of the cord, which temporarily keeps the cord in place before gluing.  They also recommend using the sheath to make a point so threading the cord is easier. 

Erik C wrote:

I'd head to a boating store and buy a reel of Liros Optisail or a similar thin leech line if you absolutely wanted a sheathed line.

Personally I'd prefer a 1mm non-sheathed dyneema line. Pure dyneema lines are pretty supple whereas sheathed lines are significantly stiffer.

https://www.liros.com/catalog/en/optisail-im-verkaufskarton-1-2mm-20x20m-p3382/

It doesn't quite match your specs (0.2mm too thick, dyneema core rather than kevlar, and polyester rather than nylon sheath) but it's a pretty nice line; I use it for guy lines for my lean-to.

 This stuff seems to be pretty close.  As long as the sheath melts then it should be fine.  Having a hard time finding it from a domestic source though.

Dirt King wrote:

Don't know if it'll float your boat but salomon makes (or did last time I bought) there quick laces out of kevlar

The quick laces look like they might be a good choice.  Still kevlar core, but I cant seem to find the diameter specs.  I called Salomon and they were not able to tell me the diameter.  If you happen to have those laces and a master cam lying around, do you think you could compare the two for a rough estimate of diameter? 

Pete Zagorski wrote:

The sheath seems critical to the method that Metolius recommends for repair and the durability is justified since rock can damage the cord when in tight placements, which is what happened to me.  Metolius uses the sheath to create a ball on the end of the cord, which temporarily keeps the cord in place before gluing.  They also recommend using the sheath to make a point so threading the cord is easier. 

 This stuff seems to be pretty close.  As long as the sheath melts then it should be fine.  Having a hard time finding it from a domestic source though.

The quick laces look like they might be a good choice.  Still kevlar core, but I cant seem to find the diameter specs.  I called Salomon and they were not able to tell me the diameter.  If you happen to have those laces and a master cam lying around, do you think you could compare the two for a rough estimate of diameter? 

I got rid of the salomon shoes years ago, after 3 warranty replacements in less than two years, and unfortunately I don't have any master cams lying around. 

I just talked to Metolius and they informed me that they actually use 1.5mm kevlar cord.   

Pete Zagorski wrote:

Have you used it to repair master cams? I read that they use kevlar cord because it doesn't stretch.  I would assume that tennis string stretches over time.

Trimmer line would stretch too I believe.

I thought about that but I would like to repair according to the Metolius guide. I already "repaired" it with a paper clip and its kinda jank.

I think you're way too worried about stretch. The cords see what, a few ounces of tension. In brief spurts. Across a 2 inch length.  

Pull some line trimmer line or tennis racquet string in your hands; they don't stretch to any perceptible degree.

Gunkiemike wrote:

I think you're way too worried about stretch. The cords see what, a few ounces of tension. In brief spurts. Across a 2 inch length.  

Pull some line trimmer line or tennis racquet string in your hands; they don't stretch to any perceptible degree.

Well, since I would still need to buy both of those, I'd rather just buy the cord.  

Pete, I read that Metolius repair guide.  I agree with you.  Following the directions with the same materials is probably just as easy and freelancing.  I had assumed those cords were nylon.  Given the small working range and that you will be squeezing hardest when they are fully retracted, I bet Metolius uses Kevlar to eliminate stretch.  Good luck.  Post up your handy work when you are finished.

I have some 1.2mm with a Vectran core and polyester cover,  0.9 dyneema core and nylon cover, 1.5 and 1.75 dyneema cores and poly covers.

Brocky wrote:

I have some 1.2mm with a Vectran core and polyester cover,  0.9 dyneema core and nylon cover, 1.5 and 1.75 dyneema cores and poly covers.

I found a good domestic source for 1.5mm dyneema core, poly sheath cord from a boating company.

Just use fishing line. 

that guy named seb wrote:

Just use fishing line. 

I've tried.  Too much stretch, not durable.

Pete Zagorski wrote:

I just talked to Metolius and they informed me that they actually use 1.5mm kevlar cord.   

Interesting. One consideration is Dyneema suffers permanent elongation over time. SK78 improved on this somewhat, but heat-set SK78 or SK90 would be better, especially for warm climates. Kevlar has almost no creep.

https://www.dsm.com/content/dam/dsm/dyneema/en_GB/Downloads/Researchpapers/Predicting%20the%20Creep%20Lifetime%20of%20HMPE%20Mooring%20Rope%20Applications.pdf