Folding knife nomenclature

[John L]

What is the name of the piece of hardware...shaped like a U and fastened, at times, to the handle end of a pocket knife. Attatched, at times to a ....watch and fob, for example. It normally swivels and a chain may be attatched. thanks.

 

[BuckyKatt]

"Bail"

.... I think. Probably wrong.

 

[El Lobo]

Most folks do call that part a bail. Some refer to it as a shackle. I've heard a few people call it a lanyard "loop."
Seems to be most common on Utility (military and non-military) and Scout type patterns.


I'm going with bail....

Bill

 

[A. Brett Schaller]

I call it a bail, but if I remember right (no guarantee of that these days) the proper name is "clevis."

 

[Colorado Pete]

I think that it would only be called a "lanyard loop" if it were attached to a gun. I vote for bail also.

 

[mete]

Often found on sailor's knives .I checked some of the sailors knife website but while the knives had them they weren't mentioned. I think the proper term is shackle. Shackles are common on sail boats which is why some sailors knives have shackle keys. Camillus calls it a shackle on their sailors knife.