Bails and or lanyard holes

[Mayonardo]

I like “fobs” and consider them very useful, especially for pocket knives. Don’t like clips. When I had a knife adorned with a pocket clip I removed it immediately. Spoils the ergonomics, scratches up furniture and car finishes and generally is an affectation in my opinion. Dons, on the other hand, as some here have noted, are a helpful addition. One can be as simple as a leather strap or thickly woven thing-a-majig. I find that a proper, simple fob doesn’t get in the way and helps me locate and remove a pocket knife easily. On a small knife the can aid in reinforcing one’s grip. It is a shame that more pocket knives do not have an easy means of attaching a simple fob.

 

[gaj999]

Lastly, and most importantly a fob allows for emergency one handed opening....

Here's an argument against knives with springs that are overly strong. I can open all of my traditionals with one hand save those with bear trap springs. I've got one in my hand right now and it isn't happening. I suppose if it was a real emergency, where a bad cut would be only an annoyance, I could probably do it. The risk goes way up, though. Along with the risk of dropping the silly thing. Seems like that would be bad in an emergency, too.

 

[DrHenley]

Lanyard holes: a definite YES
Bails: a definite NO
Clips: Maybe. I didn't use to use them but now that my cargo pants have small pockets outside the cargo pockets, I find that I can now carry larger flashlights and folders clipped in those pockets than what I used to carry unclipped in my regular pockets.

 

[gaj999]

To address the actual topic ... I don't mind lanyard holes although I've never used one seriously. I experimented a bit and decided that they don't enhance my carry. Bails? Bails have kept me from buying knives I otherwise would have bought. Yes, I could take it off. And then repair the knife. If it was a knife I just had to have, sure. Otherwise, no way. I've had bails on scout knives and I hate them. In the way, snagging my keys, making the knife wider in a way designed to make it feel bigger and less comfortable in pocket, abrading my leg, aesthetically marring a shapely handle, the list goes on. If I really need to tie a knife to myself, I'll use one with a lanyard hole.

 

[ISKRA]

I don't really have any knives with lanyard holes. As for bails, I don't like them. I tolerate it on my ww2 engineer's knife, otherwise I preffer plain simple bolsters. I filed the bail off of this 33:

 

[ddavis]

I put a bail on a bullnose just like this, but the first time I closed it one handed on my jeans while working, it snapped on the bail. Yes it was operator error but on knives where I’m really focused on the job instead of the tool, it got in the way.
So, off with the bail and I went back to small leather cord.

No evidence, but I feel leather cord can help hold the knife in your pocket a bit better too, and keep it from slipping out so easily.

 

[Travman]

I like bails. At times it seems I am the only person on the forum that uses them though. This leather lanyard hangs from my belt and dangles the knife perfectly upright in my front pocket. It works equally as well in the back pocket. I tend to use the front pocket because then I can still use the knife without even taking it off of the lanyard which speeds things up.