Do you like Lanyard holes? If so do you like them on all knives?

[POCEH KOCEB]

I also think fob would be the correct word for those things on folders… Years ago it was a thread here, where the case for “fob” was made very well, i just can’t,find it…

 

[Mister Coffee]

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[David Mary]

I have no idea what you're trying to convey to me here, other than mixed messages by complimenting my work in the same breath as cursing at me.

 

[Mister Coffee]

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[Dergyll]

I have no idea what you're trying to convey to me here, other than mixed messages by complimenting my work in the same breath as cursing at me.

Its M Mister Coffee ...one minute ago he was comparing the sizes of our "manbugs".

 

[Mister Coffee]

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[coolbreezy37]

I’m indifferent to them. Never utilized them ever.

 

[blanex1]

it really does not make a big difference to me, although I enjoy making leather lanyards that find there way on my folders sometimes!

 

[David Mary]

All I can do is shake my head.

 

[Horsewright]

Almost every knife I make has a thong, lanyard, fob or whatever a guy would want to call em. Exceptions would be kitchen knives A big part of our business is building my sheaths for other knives too. I can not tell ya how many times I've been asked to drill a hole through the handle of someone's knife and tang to add one. I won't do this of course cause the tang is hardened like the blade. I can drill the tang but its sure gonna screw up the handle so I don't do this but I bet ya its been in the hundreds of times I've been asked too.

Maybe its a cowboy/western thing but my customers demand a thong, string, lanyard, fob et al. My sheaths have extreme retention. I expect them to be able to hold the knife up side down while being shaken vigorously. They won't leave here if they don't pass that test. Think of being able to ride a bronc and not loosing your knife. Thats what I'm shooting for. So, that thong is used in drawing the knife by bracing the little finger against it as the knife is drawn.

See not a lot of handle to grab aholt of on this lil guy:

This sheath is for right hand crossdraw horizontal wear. So ya grab what ya can of the handle and brace that lil finger against the thong and it will help ya pull er out of the sheath.

They work look close above his left front pocket:

All of my sheath styles will have this retention:

They are used, and used hard. Need that thong.

 

[Ajack60]

It makes no difference to me. It doesn’t discourage me from buying a knife.

 

[afishhunter]

No desire or use for lanyard holes on any of my knives. On most of my knives (multi blade slipjoints) a lanyard hole wouldn't make sense. When I use a lanyard, I need a bail. A lanyard attaches to the knife and your clothes - a belt loop, for example, with clips, and has swivels to eliminate twist. A fob is tied on, at best with a wrist loop.

None of my fixed blades have a "lanyard hole", and isn't needed for peeling a critter or cleaning a fish, anyway.

 

[sgt1372]

None of the poll options were applicable to me

Lanyard holes don't make any difference to me AS LONG AS they do not detract from the overall appearance of the knife. If they are too prominent or don't seem to "belong" where they are placed, then that would make a great deal of difference to me.

As for lanyards themselves, I consider them mainly decorative but they can be useful depending upon the design/use of the knife. For example a lanyard can be useful in finding/removing a clip-less folder from a pocket but if the folder has a pocket clip there really is no need IMO for a lanyard or a lanyard hole.

On the other hand, I see no use for a lanyard or lanyard hole on a fixed blade knife where the handle extends well above the sheath but for a smaller fixed blade, like a puuko, that sits deep inside a sheath, which makes it difficult to remove from the sheath, a lanyard would also be useful.

That said, I only own 5 knives w/a lanyard on them and they all came with the lanyards attached. I've never seen a need to put a lanyard on a knife yet myself.

 

[catspa]

Think of being able to ride a bronc and not loosing your knife. Thats what I'm shooting for.

Okay, I’m thinking of myself riding a bronc. Mostly I’m thinking of myself landing in the dirt, over and over. I try hard to think of me actually “riding” a bronc, but I just can’t get past the “getting bucked off” part which seems to come first.

So if you ever make me a knife and sheath (not that I’m particularly worthy of that, but I’ve admired your work many times), your testing procedure should include banging it on the ground as hard as you can. Perhaps some stiff whacking with a 2x4 could simulate the impact of horse hooves, unless you wanted to ride a real horse back and forth over it for 10 or 20 minutes. That kind of testing could assure me that no matter what else I broke while bronc riding, the knife and sheath were up to the ordeal.

I understand that this type of additional testing wouldn’t come free, and I wouldn’t balk at paying extra for the peace of mind it would bring. Perhaps other greenhorn customers could chip in to defray part of the cost, as well.

Problem is, will you be offended if after going to all that trouble, I chickened out and didn’t ride bronc after all? I’m an old man and don’t heal up like I used to, but I sure don’t want to hurt your feelings. Too old for mutton bustin’.

Lanyard content: I’ve never come up with a good way to attach one to a jumbo stockman.

Parker

 

[Old Biker]

I don't like lanyards, but a hole for one doesn't bother me.

O.B.

 

[rje58]

I like them on certain knives. Not necessarily folders or fixed, modern or traditional, but more due to purpose. For example, I have a couple of "water knives" for fishing, boating and kayaking. I have lanyards on both of those, one folder (Spyderco Saver Salt) and one fixed (GearAid Tanu Dive, though I am not a diver and use it for boating/kayaking). So I definitely want lanyards on those, because they don't float and to keep them attached to me in case of any kind of mishap.

There are a few other knives I have lanyards on, a couple of more folders and at least one more fixed blade. These are not special purpose knives, one of the folders I put a lanyard on it to make it easier to draw from my pocket, as when I am wearing gloves, for example. The other two I just liked the way the knife/lanyard combination looks.

The vast majority - well over 90%+ of my knives - don't have lanyards. But on at least three of them, I definitely want a lanyard. Two for water knives and one for when I'm wearing gloves - in the winter or when riding a motorcycle, regardless of season.

 

[Black Oak Bladeworks]

I have learned some new stuff about them today. Thank you all for contributing your information!

I will throw my 2 cents in. I don't personally appreciate them on most small knives. I find they mostly just catch blood/dirt/caulk/paint etc. Pocket knives I care less, but would rather they not have one but it wont break the knife for me either as long as they don't get in the way. My personal hunting/bushcraft blades generally don't have one. I am okay with them on larger blades, but don't have an issue with larger blades getting as dirty either.

Thank you to who ever fixed the poll for me!

 

[The Grendels]

I agree with the sentiment that I mostly want them for fixed blades and some shorter knives, and add that they're also handy if I'm wearing a small folding knife around my neck and under my shirt (to keep from losing it in the bush).

 

[DangerZone98]

I voted “it ain’t a knife without one,” but my more accurate response would be that it’s nice to have them. The presence or absence of a lanyard hole alone won’t make or break a knife for me.

I like lanyards on my working folders both for aesthetics and ease of extraction. I usually carry tip up, so having a bit of rope to grab onto is a welcome convenience. And truthfully, they just look cool.

For larger working fixed blades, I go for a hand (not wrist) wrapping lanyard for better control. On the guardless Bushman, a lanyard offers protection against the hand sliding up to the blade.

Lanyard holes, for me at least, are paramount in small folders and fixed blades. You still get the compact form of the small knife, but the lanyard tail offers something you can wrap your pinky around. Pretty dang useful.

 

[sixplymaple]

Clearly lanyard holes are really just a massive conspiracy propped up by the paracord industry!