How do you tie yours?

Sgian Dubh

Sgian Dubh

Joined
Nov 10, 1999
Messages
132
Nearly all my folders have a lanyard hole, and I have come across para-cord from the sublime (intricate macrame) to the ridiculous (3.5' hanging off a belt loop)in my meetings with the knife weilding public.

How useful are these additions and what, in your opinion, is the ideal length, style and type of string for the job.

I normally attach a short noose-like length of black para-cord that I can poke my ring and little fingers through if I'm likely to drop it around water or in the dark, etc.

I note that a popular knife by Chris Reeve comes (unlike many others) with a short lanyard pre-attached.

Stay sharp.

------------------
"I'm arm'd with more than complete steel - The justice of my quarrel." Christopher Marlowe
 
Since I lost my Spyderco "Dragonfly" I always use lanyards when I'm going to my "outdoor" - yachting. Aboard I usually keep Victorinox "Climber" and "Skipper", Spyderco "Calypso Jr.", Buck "Crosslock DoubleBlade" and Leatherman "Wave".
I use approximately 3' long lanyards made of 1.5 - 2 mm nylon cord with bowline knots on each end and hang them to belt loops. I prefer this way 'cause I have "free" hands to change knives when I need it and sure that I do not loose them.

Regards,
Mikle

P.S.: Despite of I rarely carry all these knives at the same time, sometimes I look like Christmas-tree
biggrin.gif
 
The only time I use a lanyard is on small knives (the lanyard on the Sebenza is a good example).

If you're carrying a small fixed-blade, I'd reccommend you take some paracord and after looping it through the handle of the knife, make three knots about 1" apart. I've found this to be very helpful in both drawing the knife under pressure and retaining the knife.

Matt

------------------
Waxes Eloquent, Leader of the Terrible Ironic Horde and Mighty Brain Spewer
Waxy's Custom Concealex Page
Waxy's Custom Shirts for Concealed Carry Page
Waxy's Coveted Knives Page
 
My unscientific rule of thumb has always been to use a lanyard that was the length of the knife closed. Always seemed to work well to pull the knife out of it's sheath. Turns out that's the length of my small sebenza's lanyard it came with.
 
The first thing I do is cut the lanyards off the knives I buy, and don't add them to new knives that don't have them. Different strokes... I like the look of a lanyard, just don't like the way if rides in my pocket. I carry my knives, and looks don't get the cutting done for me.
smile.gif


Brandon

------------------
"You should never never doubt what nobody is sure about..."
 
Thanks for the comments guys, Mikle, I've tried long lanyards around deep and moving water whilst canoeing but gave it up after watching a friend in a panic rolling down stream with a very sharp 6" Bowie loose on a 3.5' line (no cuts but heavy soiling
wink.gif
).

I like a short lanyard about the length of the handle of a folder, 1" of wrap round noose knot also gives a good grip and allows it to be tightened up on two fingers just in case it gets out of your grip.

Finally lanyards are great for knife play of the sort that some nationalities use worry beads for, e.g. watching TV, traffic jams, drinking coffee, pondering the meaning of life, etc.

------------------
"I'm arm'd with more than complete steel - The justice of my quarrel." Christopher Marlowe
 
A 6" Bowie on deep, moving water ?!? For use as what - an anchor ? Using the right tool for the job is half the battle. River/dive knife, in vest-mounted, quick release sheath or a Clip-it are the only ways to go in such a situation.
 
I wouldn't be too quick there, after all it might make an admirable anchor in the right situation.

I do use a lanyard on some knives, some not. It is almost if you have one it will be in the way, if you don't you will wish you did. I admire people who know what they like and are willing to live with the consequences.

My favorite is on my little Spyderco Navigator. I have a 3 or 4 mm cord tied in a bowline fairly close to the hole, with a monkey fist on the other end. The cord is just long enough to put the monkey fist over the top of my pocket if I run the cord up the back of the knife.


Mike
 
I find lanyards to be a real nuisance most of the time.

I'll use a lanyard on fixed blades and folders when I'm hiking and especially when sailing, I've lost so much stuff over the edge of a boat!

With folders I tent to have a long lanyard stuffed into the same pocket as the knife and the end clipped to a belt loop. Fixed blades have a short lanyard with a bowline to help tug the knife from its sheath and tighten on the wrist while working.

Roger
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top