Are lanyards dangerous?

[Rat Finkenstein]

Jim Ankerson made a video on the subject:

A video to show that he doesn't know how to use a lanyard?

How to use a lanyard:
The thumb goes in the loop, and the lanyard wraps around the back of the hand.
Works for retaining any size knife.

The front mounted lanyard can work, but it is not very convenient and gets in the way. Twisting the lanyard around and around until it is tight? Come on.

 

[Blackie Scantling]

I just use enough lanyard so the knife is still inside the first three fingers, not enough to where the knife can hang free. There would be no point in that.

Axes are as dangerous to bystanders if not more than knives when chopping laterally.

 

[El Bandit0]

My youngest brother was very nearly seriously injured or killed about three years ago due to the lack of a lanyard on a slippery machete handle. Ever since then I ALWAYS use a lanyard on my big blades.

 

[tueller]

A video to show that he doesn't know how to use a lanyard?

How to use a lanyard:
The thumb goes in the loop, and the lanyard wraps around the back of the hand.
Works for retaining any size knife.

The front mounted lanyard can work, but it is not very convenient and gets in the way. Twisting the lanyard around and around until it is tight? Come on.

I would like to hear more about that way of using a lanyard. A more detailed description and the reasoning behind it. For the simple reason that I would like to try it. Thx.

 

[8steve88]

Probably off topic a bit but I always use a lanyard on pocket knives. They can give a bit more control on shorter knives that would otherwise not fit in the hand comfortably.
I like the look of that forward position for larger work knives.

 

[gooeytek]

When lanyards are used properly on fixed blades and especially choppers, it affords a more secure grip and better control so that the knife doesn't go flying out of your hand during hard use.

Most of those things that are attached to folders aren't lanyards, they're fobs.

 

[rajincagin]

I like to use them on knives as a secondary handle, that way my knives double as nunchucks in tactical situations.

 

[Rat Finkenstein]

I would like to hear more about that way of using a lanyard. A more detailed description and the reasoning behind it. For the simple reason that I would like to try it. Thx.

From an earlier thread on the subject, a good description-

Short lanyards that add decoration or a grip to pull a knife from your pocket are also called fobs. Longer lanyards will protect you from a heavy chopper flying out of your hand. Here's how:

Tie a loop of cord through the lanyard hole. Hang the knife by this lanyard from your thumb, thumb up, across the back of your hand. Rotate your hand palm down so you grip the handle. The lanyard is now wrapped around your hand and will keep it from slipping, even if you are sweaty or tired.

You will have to adjust the length of the lanyard for your hand size. Some people use a movable bead rather than a permanent knot so they can do this to fit each time, bare-handed or gloved, or for different users.

A picture I found showing how it's done

of course a simple cord works fine as well, without any fancy braiding.

 

[North Arm Knives]

unless i'm missing something... I still see this being potentially dangerous is you were chopping and the knife managed to slip out of your hand. Just tested it with a dull knife and it came back and hit my forearm me. Having the lanyard as short as possible definitely helps because it doesn't let it accelerate as much or swing as far.

From an earlier thread on the subject, a good description-




A picture I found showing how it's done

of course a simple cord works fine as well, without any fancy braiding.

 

[other memory]

Regardless of the configuration, It's still attached to him. If the handle comes out of his hand while under the force of a swing it would still have to swing around his hand and back at him before it could potentially come lose. Bottom line, it's attached to him. That's the point, isn't it? If it's attached to you, it has nowhere to go while under a force of momentum.

 

[Rat Finkenstein]

unless i'm missing something... I still see this being potentially dangerous is you were chopping and the knife managed to slip out of your hand. Just tested it with a dull knife and it came back and hit my forearm me. Having the lanyard as short as possible definitely helps because it doesn't let it accelerate as much or swing as far.

I have no idea how you were standing that releasing the knife would come anywhere near your forearm, if you somehow dropped the knife, it should swing to the side instead of at you. It is also far less likely to slip out of your grasp than with a wrist lanyard- it prevents the knife from sliding forward.

 

[Quillan]

All carpenters should have lanyards on their framing hammers.

 

[Jens Schuetz]

Source: http://worldbayonets.com/Misc__Pages/ak_bayonets/ak_bayonets.html
That's how I like "lanyards". Makes it more secure, doesn't create any pendulum of doom and you can still remove your hand super fast if you have too.

 

[Caleb M.]

There are some lanyards that are for show, and some for use. Most lanyards for large choppers, should be used like Rat said.

 

[Indianbladenoob]

Every time I see a lanyard discussion thread, I wanna plug my 2c in.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...nyard-hand-retention-system-for-larger-knives

 

[Metal Made Fox]

I only like lanyards as decorations on my knives.

 

[North Arm Knives]

@ Rat Finkenstein: I used the lanyard as you described and simulated a chopping motion, when I let go during the stroke the knife swung down and hit my arm. If I drop the knife from a still position it does swing to the side like you said instead of towards me. This method is definitely better than other configurations, I'm just not convinced the knife wouldn't hit the user in certain situations.

@ Indianbladenoob:

Seems like a good idea, should be less chance of swing back because there isn't as much of a pendulum effect. Quite similar to the para-cord lanyard configuration in the video at the beginning of the thread.


-mike

 

[Rat Finkenstein]

why would anyone let go of a knife while swinging it in a chopping motion? A lanyard will not prevent you from purposefully flinging it out of your hand, it keeps it from slipping forward out of your closed hand, and prevents your hand from sliding up to the cutting edge. (something a forward wrist tied lanyard can't do)

 

[Murphnuge]

Here's Moosez45 showing me the technique described above a few years ago at a gathering. I've used it since he taught me and have had a couple near misses, without injury. It worked as described. Not saying it's the only way or best, but I trust it.

Explanation is at about 1:12.

[video=youtube;4RM-awGQvgU]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RM-awGQvgU&feature=youtube_gdata_player[/video]

Video is from AIG's youtube channel.

 

[Indianbladenoob]

Seems like a good idea, should be less chance of swing back because there isn't as much of a pendulum effect. Quite similar to the para-cord lanyard configuration in the video at the beginning of the thread.


-mike

Thanks Mike,
No chance of swingback because I see it as locked into the palm. Unless the user, for whatever reason, actually opens their hand at the moment of impact, in which case it would swing back over the arm. In any case, the greatest risk with all lanyard configs is the loss of grip. This config locks the blade to the palm and would also prevent the hand from sliding up on to the blade.
But it is still a theoretical ramble for me. Any one wanna make and test one? There is no patent and never will be..........

Cheerz
Vasu