How to Wrap a Knife Handle with Paracord

Wrapping paracord around the handle of a knife or similar tool gives the handle greater traction, making it easier to hold. There are multiple ways to wrap paracord. Most are fairly simple and equally practical, so the right choice is merely an aesthetic one.

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Tape the paracord along the length of one side of the handle, with the slack at the hilt.
Wrap the paracord from the blade to the base, making sure there aren't any gaps between the wrapped lengths of rope.
Tie the ends of the rope together, with some slack so that you have a loop at the base of the knife to use as a wrist strap.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Making an Easy Wrap

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1
Tape the paracord to the handle. Place the paracord along one side of the handle. Tape it to the handle at a point just beneath the blade of the knife.
- There should be enough cord to extend down the length of the handle, plus a little extra. For most knives, the total length should be about 1 foot (30.5 cm). Allow this excess cord to hang off past the bottom of the handle.
- Do not cut the paracord yet.
- Wrap the tape around the handle two or three times. Make sure that it firmly holds the cord in place.
2
Wind the cord around the handle. Wrap the paracord around the width of the handle in one full rotation.
- Work with the cord still attached to the bundle. Do not wrap using the excess cord hanging down from the bottom of handle.
- The cord should form a tight loop over the handle, fitting over the handle's width. This loop should end when it crosses over the taped starting point.
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3
Work your way down the entire length of the handle.^{[1]
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Research source} Continue wrapping the paracord around the width of the handle until you reach the opposite end.
- Each consecutive loop should be directly next to the loop before it on the handle. Keep the wrapping very tight as you go along.
- Wrap the attached side of the paracord over the loose, cut end, covering that cut end and securing it to the handle.
4
Tie the cord to the empty end. Slip both ends of the paracord through the lanyard hole at the bottom of the handle. Tie them into a firm knot to secure the wrapping.
- If the hole is not large enough, you could wrap both ends of the paracord around the back notch of the knife. Tie the knot behind this notch.
- The knot must be very tight so that the paracord wrapping cannot unravel.
5
Knot the ends together. Cut the attached side of the paracord so that the tail is roughly the same length as the excess loose end still hanging off the bottom of the handle. Tie both of these ends together into a firm knot.
- The resulting loop should serve as a wrist loop, so you'll need to make sure that you cut off enough to paracord to form a loop capable of fitting over your wrist.
- The process is complete once you finish this step.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Wrapping a Basic Criss-cross

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1
Center the handle over the paracord. Cut a long piece of paracord and lay it on your working surface. Place the top of the handle over the center of the cut paracord.
- You need a piece of paracord that is at least at least four to five times longer than the length of the handle. Any excess cord can be trimmed at the end of the process, so it's better to start with too much than too little.
2
Cross the left end over. Grab the left end of the paracord and cross it over the top of the handle. Slip it under the right end of the cord, drawing it through from the bottom and out from the top.
- The two ends should form a loop over the width of the handle. The intersection of this loop should be at the right side of the handle.
3
Weave the right end back through the loop. Take the other end (the one you haven't worked with yet) and slide it into the loop from the back. Draw it back through to the left side of the handle.
- From the back side of the loop (lying beneath the handle), you will need to slip this end into the bottom of the loop and out through the top. This step will tie the loop in place.
- Pull the paracord tight with both ends to tighten the loop in place around the handle.
- At the end of this step, the right and left ends of the paracord will have changed places. The end that was previously the left end is now the right end and vice versa.
4
Cross the right end over. Grab the right end of the paracord and cross it over the top of the handle, beneath your previously formed loop. Slip the right end under the left, drawing it through from the bottom and out from the top.
- As before, this should create a loose loop. The point of intersection should lie at the left side of the handle this time.
5
Cross the left end behind the handle. Take the left end of the cord and pass it underneath the handle of the knife.
- Since both ends are on the left at the start of this step, the "left end" refers to the end previously positioned on the left side before you created this current loop.
6
Weave the end through the loop. Take the end you worked with in the previous step and pass it through the loop around the handle from the right side.
- You'll need to insert the end through the loop from bottom to top.
- Pull the cord tight to secure the loop in place.
- At the end of this step, the two ends will have reversed sides again.
7
Mirror the steps with the opposite side. Repeat the steps used to create the last loop, working with the cord on the left instead of the cord on the right.
- Cross the left end over the front of the sheath. Pass it under the right end to create a loop.
- Pass the right end behind the handle to the left side, then insert it through the loop at the left side, working from back to front.
- Pull both ends to secure the new loop in place.
8
Repeat as needed to cover the handle. Continue making crisscross loops over the knife, keeping them as snug and close together as possible, until you reach the bottom of the handle.
- Use the same steps followed to create the previous two loops. Alternate back and forth between the right and left ends.
9
Thread the ends through the eyelet. Slip both ends through the eyelet at the bottom of the knife.^{[2]
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Research source}
- You thread the ends through the eyelet from the same side, or you can thread them into the eyelet from opposite sides. If you do the latter, knot the ends around the side of the eyelet to help secure the cord.
10
Tie a final knot. Tie the ends of both sides into a tight knot. The resulting loop can be used as a wrist loop.
- The completion of this step completes the project.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Wrapping a Sword Style Handle

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1
Make a loop the length of the handle. Form a loop with the paracord that roughly matches the width and length of the handle. Tape this loop to one side of the handle.
- Note that you should tape the loop to the flat side of the handle, not the narrow edge. The dimensions of the loop should also correspond to the flat side.
- The intersection of the loop should be at the top of the handle, just below the bottom of the blade. The curve of the loop should be at the bottom of the handle.
- The length of paracord should be roughly four to five times longer than the length of the handle. The loop should be centered in the middle of the handle.
2
Wrap the left end around the handle. Wrap the left end of the paracord around the width of the handle. Slide it underneath the opposite side of the original loop to secure it.
- The left end of the cord should wrap all the way around the handle. When it reaches the point of intersection of your original loop, slide the end beneath the intersection and underneath the cord below it. This will be the cord on your left, but it is also the section of the loop closest to the right end.
- When finished, the left end of the cord will still be on the lefthand side of the handle.
- Wrap the cord tightly as you work.
3
Weave the right end into the center section.^{[3]
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Research source} Wrap the right end of the cord around the width of the handle. Insert it into the space between all three sections of cord at the front of the handle.
- The three sections of cord at the center front are the two portions just beneath the intersection of the original loop and the left end you wrapped around the handle in the previous step.
- Slip the right end over the left intersection portion, under the left cord, and under the right intersection portion.
- Tug on the cord tightly to secure the wrap in place.
- When you finish this step, the right end will still be on the right side of the handle.
4
Turn and repeat down the length of the handle.^{[4]
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Research source} The rest of the handle should be wrapped by following the same two wrapping steps; these two steps consist of a set. After completing each set, rotate the knife 180 degrees.
- Essentially, every other set will be performed upside-down.
- Each set should be performed by wrapping the left end first, followed by the right end.
- Continue until you reach the bottom of the handle.
5
Weave in the ends. Once you reach the very bottom of the knife, you should weave the two final ends back into several layers of wrapped paracord at the bottom of the handle.
- As long as you wrapped the cord tightly around the handle as you worked, weaving the ends in should provide enough security to hold the wrapping in place.
6
Tie a knot. For added security, bring the two ends around to the back of the knife handle and tie them into a tight knot. Trim any excess as desired.
- If you want to make a handle loop, simply knot the ends together near their tips instead of tying them near the handle.
- The completion of this step completes the process.

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What can you wrap a knife handle with?

Marrow Private Chefs
Private Chefs
Marrow Private Chefs are based in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. It is a chefs’ collaborative comprised of an ever-growing number of chefs and culinary professionals. Though regionally influenced primarily by coastal, traditional southern, cajun, and creole styles and flavors, the chefs at Marrow have a solid background in all types of cuisine with over 75 years of combined cooking experience.

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Expert Answer

Lots of people have different preferences when it comes to this. If you don't want to use paracord or prefer a smooth handle, there are several different adhesive tapes available online made specifically for wrapping a knife handle.

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What other materials can I use to wrap a knife handle?

Mike Stramiello
Leatherworker
Mike Stramiello is a Leatherworker based in Wilmington, North Carolina. He founded Beast Belts and Knives, a Leather Products business in 2020. He initially got involved in the field when he started blacksmithing knives. He couldn’t find the kinds of leather sheaths he wanted for his knives in his area, so he started leather smithing. After years of honing his craft, he started selling his custom-made wares and consistently has a wait list for his products. In addition to the items that are regularly available on his website, Mike builds one-off creations for his website and holds product auctions on his Instagram page. Beast Belts and Knives custom belts, rugs, bags, weapon sheaths and holsters, and other special order items. Mike takes pride in his handmade luxury custom leather work and bladesmithing creations.

Mike Stramiello

Leatherworker

Expert Answer

You can also do leather braiding. They’re durable, attractive, and offer a solid grip. One option is magic braiding. This method uses a single strip of leather with two slits cut into it. By carefully folding, twisting, and spinning the leather, you create a braided pattern that’s both functional and decorative. Another option is a wrap-style braid that is used on bullwhips. This kind of handle gives a firm hold but is elegantly finished. However, creating this type of braid can be a bit tricky, and you might need to watch a video tutorial to master the process.

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Tips

Consider melting the cut tips of your paracord by holding them in a low flame for several seconds. This can seal the ends and prevent them from fraying. If the paracord contains a paper core, however, you may want to cut 1 inch (2.5 cm) or so of that core before sticking the tips in fire.

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