So you want to learn about skrim tape? Well, I’m here to teach you! Most airsoft players don’t think twice when it comes to applying these little pieces of wonder.
There are two reasons why skrim tape is superior for this application over standard duct tape. The first reason is that it stretches. This allows the user to center it on a ski pole or snowboard handle, giving it maximum strength while still going around corners without peeling up at the edges as regular duct tape does. Another advantage of this stretchy property is that you can always use skrim tape if you get into an accident and need to close your splitboard without any other options. Just wrap it around the two boards and hold it down with your other skate tool.
Let’s start with what scrim is:
Scrim is a mesh netting material that has been impregnated into a particular film which allows the scrim netting material binded within the carrier film to rip apart when pulled. This results in a scrim netting material that stretches and rips when you pull on it. It is often used to add ease of movement to your uniform. When applied correctly, the scrim will make it much more comfortable for you to run around and play airsoft with a vest or chest rig on since they reduce the stress put onto the shoulder straps of a vest by distributing the weight of whatever items are housed in your pouches between your shoulders instead of putting all of that stress onto one shoulder strap alone.
The duct tape equivalent is very similar, but it’s made from different materials and has slight differences. Duct tape can come in varying widths – although we’re going to want a skinny width for us, airsoft players. Duct tape also comes in different strengths and thicknesses, so be careful when choosing what you get since you don’t want it to be too thick or add unnecessary weight to your gear. You can also get white duct tapes – this will allow people who have camo-accented rigs to still use the duct tape without having their equipment stand out too much.
It’s worth noting that scrims are more expensive than regular cotton duck cloth strips, which is often used for making your scrims.
So how do I stick my scrim on?
That question is always asked around airsoft forums, but the answer remains simple: with glue.
You’ll need to paint glue onto the scrim, then apply it onto your gear where you want it. People also use Windex as an alternative to glue, but I’ve never tried Windex, so I can’t comment on its effectiveness.
You must cut your scrims into shorter pieces before applying them to your equipment. You don’t want one long strip of cloth because then it’ll look like a string vest (with all that skin showing) – if any area is exposed, be sure to cover it up with extra scrim material or some duct tape.
Sometimes people will choose not to cut their strips because they’ve found out that the longer the strip is, the less likely it is to rip apart when pulled at. It all depends on what you want to do.