Walmart Bankline vs Pathfinder Bankline Survival on a Shoestring 

Look's like Walmart brand has erectile dysfunction 😹

You can buy the cheap Fartmart stuff to practice your bushcraft skills, & keep higher quality *USA* made stuff in your BOB or Bushcraft/Camping pack.

Tar is good for being submerged, trot lines, and so forth. Very important. Learn about trot lines if you don't know what that is folks.

The Catahoula line can be purchased at the fish net company. In Jonesville La. It's located in Catahoula parish. I have commercial fished most of my life. I live not far from the manufacturer. It's all we use the cost is around$10.00 a pound. Go on line and order a free catalog they have you covered. Steven McNeely.

as far as Parcord I always us 95# cord, the 550 is great, but i don't often need that much tensile strength I have 100 ft in my pack that's been there for 9 years. but we go through about 4000 ft a year of #95 paracord, and multiple rolls of #36 and #12 bank line , as well as a few hundred feet of 5/8" manilla rope, but then we are on a ranch in the desert, we also use a few 6000ft boxes of bailing twine, I think mostly because 550 cord is not readily available in my area, but all the other stuff is,

I know this video is a couple of years old now but the only issue I see is that the bank line from Walmart is the twisted type of bank line and the one from Wilderness Outfitters is the braided type of bank line...both are designed for different purposes... The twisted type is for multi use, meant to separate into smaller strands if needed...making fishing line and needle thread for sewing... The braided type is single purpose use, like securing something, say your truck tool box when you lost your lock and don't want to see your tools scattered down the road when you hit a large pot hole...or tying the flaps of a tent shut when you have a faulty zipper...just saying

There’s twisted or braided line. I actually like twisted line because you can easily separate it and use single piece for making a lash or simply fixing many things. Like having three different lines in one.

I just started using the Atwood Micro Cord. It is great stuff. Most jobs you don’t need a cord that will hold 550 pounds, where 100 pounds will be just fine.

As somebody that grew up on a river DIY tarred twine aint hard to make. If you are gonna DIY get the braided twine and not the 3 strand twisted crap.

Also two types of Bankline, twisted & braided.

That's why it's a good idea to soak your para cord in bees wax. Makes excellent laces that won't slip.

Man!! I wish I could get a fire to burn backwards. Think of the wood I could use over and over again!!!

here are some findings about bank line Size Strength Uses #6 21lbs/9.5 Kg Netting/Light lashing/Bushcraft Cordage/Hunting snares #9 44lbs/20 Netting/light lashing/Bushcraft Cordage/Hunting snares #12 47lbs/21.3Kg Netting/Light lashing/bushcraft cordage/Hunting snares #15 52lbs/27.2Kg Netting/Light&Medium lashing/Bushcraft cordage Hunting snares #18 53lbs/24Kg Med/Hvy Netting/light-Heavy lashing/CornBrooms Bushcraft cordage/Hunting snares #21 All the above #36 111lbs/50kg All the above. Cheers ;-)) hope this helps out ;-))

USA made outstanding 👍👍

You don't mention the shipping costs for the cordage, that's more money? Walmart is in most towns in America.

More tar on the bankline can be better, but for most uses, does it make enough of a difference to justify the almost doubling of price? I'm trying to figure out the specs of bank line too add them to my kits.

We all know Wal-Mart is terrible! :) Nice vid... helpful.

I know this video is old, but as of 7/19/18 Amazon sells a 1 lb roll of #36 tarred Catahoula bank line for $19.22, whereas Self Reliance Outfitters sells the same roll for $12.95... I'm not endorsing anything, but I wanted to point this out...

what about doing a review on twisted VS Braided Bank line from Catahoula?

The one you have is twisted bank line by Catahoula. They make a braided version. Difference is the twisted version can be easily unravelled and the individual strands are easy to get to.The braided version is a little stronger probably.Thank God my other half wasn't watching the comparison between stiff and drooping or I'd never hear the end of it.Paracord Planet makes a 3000 lb paramax paracord. Yes you read it right 3000 lb tensile strength

ive got some at Walmart that are heavy tar and some light tar. guess it just manufacturing for u

You had me at, Made In America!

I know less about bankline than I do about paracord. I look forward to learning about it.

Dave's business is good

keep it in a plastic bag....it can get really messy in your pack

Of course it's better..Dave doesn't sell junk..and yes it'll cost more....and it will last longer..common man..common sense....

I'm sure someone already covered this, but 'Bank Line' is actually tarred so that it will be semi-water impervious, because it is used for water lines associated to 'trot-lining' in and across rivers. I've even seen guys anchor traps with it in the winter (not legal now). The reason you want real 'tarred' line, vs the Chinese 'burned motor oil' line, is that the tarred line is sticky, and will hold a knot without slipping (primary purpose beyond waterproofing). If you twist it up (like building a bushcraft pack frame), it won't come undone on you, or have knots loosen. Finally, you can get the Catahoula (only mfg that I am aware of in the States) line from most real hardware stores (I have bought it from Home Depot and from ACE Hardware, in the past). Regardless of where, you're going to pay from $14 to $18 for a roll of the good stuff.

This video is 10 years old so I suspect it's been updated but I'm not going to search to see if it has been. First off, no one ever says "Cheapest is always the best". If anything "cheapest is usually considered the worst". It's why we say "you get what you pay for". Second, when I go to DIY or advice videos, I go to see what people who actually use the product think of it. Not people who buy it and carry it around unused for 2 months. It's like reading those reviews of products by people who say "it just arrived and was boxed nicely but I've yet to use it". Third the video doesn't give any reason for why a person would use bank line over any other line. It's like watching a review of a stove that's not the one you use. Nice stove but I'll keep using the one I have as you've not given me any reasons to switch. And finally and most importantly it actually doesn't address the differences in bank twine. It doesn't address the differences between braided and twisted bank line and he clearly has one of each. He says the Walmart brand is #36 so should be much more stiff but it looks like a much lighter weight in the video. Also it would be good to know where both were made. Catahoula is made in the USA while the Malwart brand could be made anywhere and we would not be wrong in thinking it was made in China as Malwart gets much of its items from there. That being the case, besides the economics of buying locally, I think most of us would feel more comfortable buying a product made in a country with various regulatory and legal requirements on making products v.s. a product from a country without regulations and who can advertise anything even if none of the claims are true. So the Malwart brand could literally be anything.

Nice knife holder.....😉

Thanks for the comparison! Have wanted to know the difference. Never had Pathfinder line. Must add I still find the Wal-Mart line quite useful. It may not be AS good but its still a great source of strong cheap line.

no. 36 bank line should have a test of about 111lbs not 340lbs -_- I would say that's a marketing ploy on his website... just saying. Also waxed linen thread has a higher tensile strength for the same weight. www.thethreadexchange.com/miva/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=TTE&Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=bank-line-cordage#36

seriously,just make sure you get bank line that's nylon,braided,tared,and at least #36.seriously,1/4 pound roll is ten bucks on amazon.just avoid twisted.wallmarts brand is twisted,which is why pro trotliners never use it.and again,just make sure what you order or buy is ligit tarred.you do not need to by Dave's crap to get good bank line lol.amazon folks.dave has been trying to capitalize survival for years lol.look,just know your products,ball on a budget.

"kinda limp." No better way to describe the Wal-Mart version. :)

I am from Europe and we dont have anything like this here, only pracords, shiping from US is 5 times a price of it 🤦🏻‍♂️

Not very informative just exactly what this product is for. Catfishing was mentioned,why? And why is it tarred?

Can someone tell me why WalMart is asking for $25 for the 36 bankline from LeHigh? Is there any source i can find this bankline cheaper?

I kept worrying you were going to cut yourself. I’m like that when people use big knives to cut plastic wrappers. LOL

I've noticed the same thing about walmart bankline. The line they used to carry definitely was tarred. For the last 2 or 3 years now the stuff just seems to be dyed black with no tar. Thanks for the video.

Are they both the same type? Some are braided, some are not. Usually the braided will come unraveled regardless of manufacturer. Good thing it allows for smaller diameter string for fishing, sewing repairs, etc. The non braided will not desperate thus easier to work with.

twisted bank line is like para cord it comes off in strand and can be used for sowing nets making fishing line and sowing stuff and braided bank line don't come apart and is only good for shelter building the taring is for water proofing the line there is your real 2 differences between the 2 types of bank line hope my comment helps you sir

I get my bank line from Memphis net and twine , # 36 cost me about $11.00 a spool

The catahoula line is made by my home. you can get at any hardwhare store for not much more that the cheap one and you dont have to pay a middle man. I used both. For one you will its way stronger than you think. We been using this stuff for years and years. But ever since Dave canabury used it or crpl corner and thought of using it. Now they say certain name brands. Everyone thinks automatically they need because he uses it. It must be way better. Im so over people endorsing things as the be all. And dont even know what its really designed for. The catahoula string is made in the dip or dunk method which allows it to be a bit thicker. But thats not always best. In really hot temps the stuff get all.over your hands and gear. Its not like you using this stuff to build a house. Its to be used to get you out of a pinch. All we ever used was the catahoula brand because thats what we have. But ive used walmarts as well and is a great product very strong They also sell braided line which is easy to tell apart the blue label is twisted and the red label is braided . Which dont unwrap at all. The easy unwrapping kind is really good to unwrap and sew things together. People dont turn your nose up over name brands. I swear i see so many people with excat same gear because they chase brands.

Good video and product,but I'm not gonna order from a liar like Dave Canterbury ! Stolen valor

I am looking for about your product place lace me a message . When I post this, I am looking for more information no this .

Just thought I'd point out for anyone who's reading, the pathfinder link in the description is no good. It appears that the pathfinder website changed its name to selfrelianceoutfitters.com.

Definitely good point I was gonna go to Walmart and get some but the Walmart up here in Crawfordsville Indiana is not excepting money cash no more cash here in Indiana Crawfordsville Indiana

awesome video Brian...I like it that you are a fan of DC. I will definitely subscribe,

Great topic! Thanks for showing us the difference.

I gave up on paracord decades ago. Now I carry 3/16" waxed diamond cord. I believe it works as good or better then bank cord.

"walmart" anything isn't going to be as good as generic someplace else

I really like Dave Canterbury stuff, but for US$18 - I'd rather go for Para-cord to get a greater variety of uses. But I guess there are thousands of Specialized products for sale, so the Canterbury tarred line maybe has a special purpose I don't know about. In Australia we have two main options Bricklayers line which is a very high tensile strength plaited cord @ a reasonable cost. Only comes in white or flouro colors. Then there is the General use Australian Military cord called "Hootchie Cord" - Hootchie being a shelter half. It's a very strong plaited cord, about 450lb breaking strain and comes in any color, so long as it's OD Green. Both are great, useful cordage and have a place in your kit BUT I always carry 10 or 20 yards (or more!) of various colors of Para-cord. Oh one last point, both types of the lighter cord are tightly plaited and it almost impossible to un-ravel it, even should you want to, which is one reason like to carry para-cord too.

What kind of guarantee does Pathfinder have? Does "Dave" guarantee it? Who do I see about getting my money back if I'm not happy? With Wal-Mart, I can travel with the item and go into ANY Wal-Mart and exchange or get my money Back!! Match that with your overpriced stuff! If it does the job and lasts for the season, and the extra is still good next year, why pay more? And if you need "help" keeping your knots together, try tying the correct knots!!

The waakmart brand doesn't have tar ? I want some without tar ! But I want some with tar to !

It’s two spools from the same company, Catahoula. Look at the labels! Are you comparing two identical products or complaining that two different products are different?

You can buy Catahula blue label. Same stuff available on Amazon 😀 I'm Married to a Cajun so there's that. Do I support anybody who tests and vouches for a product like Dave? Yes. Do we love SOP? YES!! no point in argument. Use what works for you. Heck get you 2000 ft of industrial grade 36 MASON'S TWINE and soak it in tar until you can smell it cross de bayou😂😂 The important thing is water resistant weight holding easy to knot Great video

You're comparing twisted (which will unravel quickly) against braided. If you didn't know that, can we depend on what you are saying? You lost me!

The Pathfinder bank line is made by Memphisnet,net. The product description is word-for-word from the Memphisnet website. Their price is $4 less than Pathfinder, but watch out for shipping costs.

My friend; if you are going to make a comparison of something, please items that are equal. These are two different kinds of bankline. The Walmart brand of bankline was twisted bankline (which is made to unravel for a reason), and the Pathfinder brand is braided (which is made for specific reasons also). Please compare banklines of similar construction. Thank You.

Personally , I don't like Walmart .But I dislike Dave and his Pathfineder store/school even less . Walmart must have changed their brand of bankline. I just got mine out of the closet and it is tared and very stiff. I needed an anchor rope on day and that was all I had. 60" worked just fine on Lake Mi. . I paid $3 for it on clearance at Walmart.

The line from Wal-Mart works just fine for the intended purpose although it is not a true tarred line. True tar line is what you see in the comparison, a tarred through line. Have been a subscriber to Canterbury's channel for a couple years now, love his videos, enjoyed his flavor of expertise on dual survival. BUT, I gotta tell ya,, I'm real tired of his coined phrase for making money, "THE COMMON MAN!!" If you have visited his on-line store you will find not a thing for the common man at those inflated prices he wants for his merchandise. Do not misunderstand me,, this is not an attack on Dave but seriously,,, you won't find a common man in today's society buying canteens for $50. or $60 or more or knives for $200 or more or anything else for those prices being charged. If you are indeed "A Common man", That wal-mart line will catch as many fish and tie up as many things as a true bank line will. I've used the 36 # for decoys to catfishing and a bit in between. The # 16 I've used for fishing to effecting gear repairs as well as a few other apps. This is Just a view of a REAL Common Man. However, If you indeed for some reason need real bank line, I assure you, you will pay about $15.00 a spool for the 36 and 7-9 dollars for 16 and it's worth it if that's the case. God, I can't stand big box stores or that phrase "the common man" when used as a marketing ploy. Spend money wisely, enjoy the outdoors, and give thanks for that which is. (and when you slice real bank line the cut end looks as though you melted the end ). Peace to all and stay safe always.

bankline comes in two types, twisted or braided. Twisted will unravel into 3 strands when cut. Braided will not unravel.

Why did you stab the poor tree not good for the knife or the tree just saying

I love Dave Canterbury and his channel. But I find most of his prices to be over the top. There must be a happy medium between the costly Pathfinder bank line and the cheap stuff at Walmart. Also, although the Walmart line is inferior to the bank line sold by Dave's store, it may, in fact, be suitable for a myriad of tasks. For example, a person can accomplish a lot with hand made cordage made from bark, although it won't match the strength of modern cordage. A lot of people with limited incomes will have to make choices in regard to the gear they procure. Of course, I think that is the central message of this fine channel.

Y'know, I still have a spool of Waxed String I've been using sparingly for the last 30 some odd years now and it's still great for things like tying arrow heads to the shaft, or guides, or other minor things and now I can't seem to find it anywhere with the quality I've had in this spool. I tried making my own, but wound up with a great big mess and a great deal of trouble; any recomendations on that?

It's been 2 years... bankline is not my friend. First I do not believe that the tar preserves the cord all that much as it's already a nylon product. I suppose the tar might offer some UV protection. Dunno. Keep in mind that D.C. uses canvas and other materials where tar transfer is not that big of a deal. My UL and SUL tarps would not appreciate the tar. Furthermore I spend quite a bit of time tripping over stealthy cordage.

The Walmart stuff is it labeled Team Catfish? Grabbed a role of #21 set line stuff, says coated power twine. Synthetic blend.

Sadist part i could tell right from the start the 1 from Walmart is worse then trash

The guy she told you not to worrie about 😂😂😂 tarred and stiff

Lucky for me, I have a gas station that sells tackle, and they carry this same brand,as well as the different #'s. I know you guys need to make some $ where you can; but if I can find the same stuff for less..... Sorry Dave.

Quality doesn't always have to cost you a lot, but there are some things you shouldn't scrimp on. $8 at Walmart vs $12 at Self Reliance Outfitters isn't that much when you are going to be buying something that could be the difference between you living or dying. Thanks for showing the difference for those of us interested in this sort of thing so we don't get taken in by an inferior product.

If you have a Academy Sports store there in Georgia like we do here in SC you can buy it there. I'm sure you could also find it at small bait and tackle shops around the lakes there also. You even have a Bass Pro Shop you could go to.

I've bought from both and the highly tarred bank line is what I prefer . . . even over paracord because you get more bang for the buck. Much more cordage without sacrificing its utility.

If it is not stronger, I would find the tar an issue. I know the Walmart stuff unravels, but that is what a lighter an overhand knot are for. But have wondered why buy from DC, just because he recommends it. You decide.

walmart? you're talking about survival and now you're shopping at walmart where Walmart employees can't survive on their wages?

You have just cool vids. I watched 3 other vids before you, and they didn't give half the info you have in this 5 min vid. Thanks.

I am interested in the low cost knife. Where can I find it?

I use cheap bankline that isn't tarred through as well as the Pathfinder, but I'm not using it for fishing . It's plenty strong and sticky enough to hold any knot well. It may not last as long in wet conditions but I've tied things up through harsh Wisconsin winters with no rotting so I'm not worried about it. Is Dave's better? Sure it is. Is it worth the extra money for what I use it for? No it's not.

The difference is that you have braided bank line (Catahoula) and twisted bank line (walmart).

The tared bank line at Academy Surplus is every bit as good (and stiff) as the Pathfinder brand and cost half as much if you include shipping. As an insulator by trade I have owned a lot of old hickory knives. They are not as good as everyone makes them out to be. I used to put tape on the handles new, so the handles would last longer because the rivets come loose and the handles come off. The blades also break under stress not being all that good of steel.

My question Brain is, is Dave Canterbury's bank line stronger then the Walmart brand?

Nice video. Right up my alley. Yes, you pay more for Pathfinder.. But you can shop Amazon for the same equipment, for much less. You just need to keep your eyes open. Walmart is not the only alternative.

did you smell it? The bank line I purchase from SGT Knots was somewhere between the products you demonstrated. It frayed a little when I cut it but when I smelled it I the odor was distinctly tar or some petroleum.

You have to know the difference between "braided" bank-line and "twisted". The twisted bankline will indeed separate into 3 strands and the braided one stays together on the ends when cut. You can get the good braided stuff at the Walmart. You are not comparing apples to apples here! Twisted has its uses and braided its own uses, but they are not the same.

Were the lines you compared both the same type? Bank line comes in twisted and braided manufactured styles. The twisted is easy to breakdown and use the strands the braided once it is tarred is not coming apart. Even from the same manufacturer they are very different animals. Great video I just was looking through your older stuff and found it.

I was going to get Bankline, but my husband says it wouls spook game, beacause of the tar smell, any thoughts on this?? is appreciate it very much

Ive used both bands both work for tripods and camping projects

Can't you smell a difference?

I bought the Walmart line and like you wasn't very impressed. Looks like I subbed you just in time.. looks like an interesting series coming up.. ~Chuck~

Thanks, that was very helpful.

wanted to add that got both lines from Pathfinder's store. man your right about this line !!! I've used it many ways and going to buy the larger size tools next !!!

What more do you get with Dave's bankline is a few more ounces of tar.

For fishing though all that tar wouldnt be beneficial.fish can smell like any other living creature,and with no slack it will cause problems setting the hook as well.yes as far as using it strickly as cordage the more tar soaked would be better.but not for fishing.

One should always buy, what they need, and what they can afford. The video did show a difference in the Bankline products.

Excuse me for being uninformed,but, what do you use the tar cordage for????

There's a difference between braided and twisted bank lines - the twisted comes apart much easier: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-eBF6n5oEnxI.html

nice video, and the line from canterbury is far superior to the wal-mart. i bought from wal-mart to to try and save a few bucks,but it was wasted money.it didnt even smell like a tarred line. and knots didnt hold as good.live and learn i guess

When i was a kid, we made our own, cotton line and we rubbed tar on it....so it would not ROOT in the water........ later we used builder line, nylon........ but that was a long time ago.

Use the old green or white trot line I've used it for everything

yea i saw you mistreating that old hickory!

Unfortunately you had the wrapper off of the Walmart brand before the video began. Why?