Fixed blades... to Thong/Lanyard or not?

Those of you who use thong lanyards on your fixed blades, why? How?

I know the better makers like Reeves and Randall's etc etc... come with a Lanyard and most makers put in a lanyard hole... but how/why do you use them?

Thanks!

Jon
 
If I am in water especially white water I will use a lanyard and put my wrist through it. I think I would do the same when climbing or rapelling or in any situation where dropping the knife may mean loosing it.

As far as folders, I usually remove clips and depending upon the knife I might leave the noose on them and let it hang out of my pocket to make the knife easier to retrieve.

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" I am continually reminded of the rewards of dealing with custom knife makers and the custom knife community." Jeff J.
 
Lanyards, My motto to this is, to have and not need, than need and not have. I try to have lanyards on all my custom knives. the cost of lossing your knife is unthinkable. If around water, rock climbing, cutting away a chute or any time you need to use your knife with out losing it. Hope this helps. AL
 
S

storyville

Joined
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Messages
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My standard is a bit lower than Gus's: I use a lanyard in any situation where dropping the knife may mean losing my toe.
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Seriously, it's mostly extra security for me, for the occasional slip (greasy, bloody, or just fatigued hand). I'm less worried about losing it in white water than about having it fall tip-first on concrete, or my thigh, etc.

Also, every blue moon or so, it can provide a little more leverage and control for light chopping w/small-medium blades. (I.e., you can move back on the handle.)

Glen

PS Do Randalls come standard with lanyards? I believe it is an extra-cost "option." On that note, my one gripe about an old Buck Vanguard and Spec-Plus Parachutist were their lack of lanyard holes. (The latter was my trustiest knife for over 10 yrs, till I got into this "knife hobby.")
 
Yes......and thank you very much. I normally wear a "thong" as I'm using the lanyard on my favorite knife!
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GigOne
"Livin' Life - Full Throttle"
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"Happiness is a belt-fed weapon & a Walter Brend Model 2!"
 
Hello,

I usally put a thong hole on all my knives, but usally do not supply the lanyard to go through it as some guys prefer not to use it and others want leather lanyards,,, 550 cord Ect, so i leave it up to them with what material they will use. I do Find that a Lanyard does somtimes hinder a quick grip and draw, but for chopping i use one looped around my wrist to aid in chinching up on the grip and maintaining it.

my .02

Allen

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Allen Blade
Spokane,WA USA

" You can make great knives and sell a few, Or make Great AFFORDABLE knives and sell many"
WEB SITE : http://hometown.aol.com/bladecutlery/index.html
 
Short lanyards (or, more accurately, toggles) are handy for some things, like tugging a knife out of a tight fitting sheath, and longer lanyards that attach to you are a good idea when working over water or heights. Lanyards do tend to get hung up on things, though, and I've heard of some pretty bad cuts when a lanyard got caught on something and jerked the knife through the user's grip. Also, they tend to get crudded up when you're going seriously field dressing, like inside a moose.

[This message has been edited by Alberta Ed (edited 08-15-2000).]
 
Being in the Army (and especially after Ranger School), I have learned the value of "Dummy Cording" important items. That is what I use the lanyard hole for.

For anyone who does not understand the term--tying it down so that you don't loose it. I usually tie a knife down to a snap link or caribeaner that I attach to my web gear. This prevents you from losing it when moving through the woods.....and prevents you from forgeting it when you get stupid and try to get up and walk off without putting your knife away.
 
Thanks all for the replies... When my new Chris Reeve arrives next week, I might go ahead and use that lanyard after all... well, sometimes at least.

Jon
 
One more thing about lanyards on fixed blades:

It seems to me that most lanyard (or thong, toggle, etc) holes are drilled off-center, i.e., either toward the top (spine) or bottom (edge) side of the handle. However, I prefer the hole centered, as the knife tends to come straight up handle first if you lightly tug/yank on it (i.e., when you've dropped it or it's otherwise not in-hand).

(Some examples of "centered" holes that come to mind are the Chris Reeve fixeds, Rob Simonich's smaller fixeds, and many/most? of Cold Steel's line.)

With off-centered lanyard holes, the knife seems to have a greater tendency to jump back up tip or edge first. I recall getting "bitten" two or three times over the years in this way.

$0.02, more or less --
Glen
 
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