Lanyard holes on folders.......are they really useful?

If I kept my knife loose in the pocket instead of clipped I might use one, but to be honest I:

A. Have other stuff in my right front pocket like my wallet and it would get in the way.

B. Find them ostentatious and drawing unwanted attention. A clip is more discreet, it could be a pen or a flashlight.
 
mqqn said:
I remember a thread here years ago where the op insisted that what we call lanyards are actually thongs if they are used for retention. That was interesting.
Click to expand...
Now there is a marketing opportunity!
 
"LANYARD": Clipped to a knife or other tool and an anchor point on the user. A lanyard usually has an over-all length of 30 (thirty) inches, or the users inseam measurement, ± 1 or 2 inches, and has a swivel at one or both ends, to prevent twisting.
Retractable lanyards are available for those who do not want the loop of the lanyard hanging beside their leg, where it might catch on something.

The purpose of a lanyard it to prevent the loss and damage to the tool.
Example: Working on a ladder, scaffolding, or bosun's chair, if you drop your knife (or hammer, drill, etc.) it is gone. There is also a high chance of the tool (and/or surface it lands on) being damaged. Not to mention endangering those below you.

"FOB": Short. ONLY attached to the tool (or a key ring). It is NOT attached to an anchor point on the user. A Fob is used to help remove a knife (or keys, pocket flashlight, etc.) from a pocket, and decoration.

A "Lanyard" and a "Fob" are not the same thing. They do not serve the same purpose. (However, if you have a Lanyard attached to your Scout/Engineers/DEMO knife or SAK, and carry it in your pocket, rather than clipped to a belt loop, the Lanyard can double as a fob insofar as helping to remove it from your pocket.)

Since they serve different purposes, and have a different design, the term "lanyard" and "fob" are not interchangable, any more than "car" and "sofa" are.

A Lanyard attached to a Marbles MR592 Orange G-10 Scout knife, with the clip used to hang the knife to a belt loop.
The MAM friction folder is the only knife I possess with a fob. (The Fob was attached by the factory.)
View attachment 2096447
The Lanyard is 34 inches over-all, including the two swivels, but not the anchor clip. The anchor clip is attached to a split-ring on the same belt loop the knife is clipped to.

As for the OP's assertion: "A lanyard hole makes the blade shorter ..." It depends on the location of the lanyard hole. The MAM, for example, has the lanyard hole lower than the blade can travel when closed.
TBH, I am not aware of any folder that the lanyard hole affects blade length. The hole is below the tip of the blade when the knife is closed.
On the toothpick pattern (with or without a fish scaler/hook disgorger/cap lifter combo secondary blade) with a lanyard hole, the hole is in the rear bolster, beyond the blade well.
 
I will use lanyards on blades usually when over water or working in high places.

Usually in those spots I will be using a fixed.

I do have two folders set up with lanyards that work well with a fishing vest for fishing in town or parks so the people don't get spooked.
The fish don't care.

This is the new one for running around on water. It is long enough to go around wrist, can be easily clipped/tethered to boat or body and is high vis and easy to hook if retrieval is needed. ( I fish fairly shallow water often so that option is available).

Tethered I consider a requirement for high places and deep water.
20230224_165018 (2).jpg
 
I don't use them on folders and find them to mostly fill with dirt etc but it's not a deal breaker to me either. I just wash it out on occasion when it gets dirty.
 
I don’t use lanyards for most folders. When I do, they tend to be smaller folders that the lanyard aids grabbing them.

EDC gear is another story. I like lanyards on small edc tools that are bigger than keychain size.
 
Lanyards/fobs are things that I do enjoy making and find that if a knife doesn't have a means of attaching one, I tend to part with that knife sooner than later, but that's just me ;)

My Bobtail fobs are used mainly on fixed blades, to aid in drawing the knife from the sheath, gives you a place to anchor your pinky around as you draw the knife out.

Untitled by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

I like to use paracord that compliments the knife's scales when I can find suitable paracord, or sometimes contrasting cord works well too

Untitled by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

My true preference is for folders that have the hidden lanyard pin, in this way it doesn't break up the overall look of the handle so there isn't a compromise to accommodate those that like a lanyard.

Untitled by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

a few fixed blades incorporate a hidden lanyard hole, like on this one from Nathan the Machinist Nathan the Machinist

Nathan_Carothers_EDC by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

My fancy Reate Wave has the lanyard hole at the very end, allowing it not to interfere with the clip or lines of the folder

IMG_6091 by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

Reate Wave by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

It's a beautiful folder ;)

IMG_6092 by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

And this one matched up nicely with the scales on a piece that WValtakis WValtakis did some amazing engraving on the bolsters

Untitled by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

When I first started putting lanyards on, I tended to make them far longer than necessary, now the first knot is typically about an inch from the end of the handle.

So, yeah, Chefget Chefget figured that I may have a penchant for things lanyard like ;)

and I still do some 'traditional' type braided leather lanyards from time to time

Boye_cobalt by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

G2
 
I just can't get attached to lanyards. :p

Although if there is a chance you can lose the knife they make perfect sense. As others have said, on a boat, in the woods, etc. It is a terrible feeling to reach for your knife and find it isn't there any more.
 
That reminds me, years ago I made this lanyard for my Benchmade Triage folder, the lanyard had a long loop with a keeper bead that once you put your hand through, you would slide the bead up next to your wrist and that prevented the lanyard from slipping off your wrist

bead_cincher by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

paracord_cincher by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

and with this Mini Penguin the lanyard provided support while trying to open the knife as it is a fairly small folder and you just run out of handle to get a secure grip on while trying to open it up.

Untitled by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

G2
 
I use lanyards/fobs to draw the knife out of the pocket, especially if it has deep pocket clip.
Most factory clips are not designed to be held when pulling the knife out of the pocket and fob helps a lot,
instead of pinching the knife behind the clips. Same goes for the deep pocket clips - they are nice, they hide your knife,
I love them, but 99% of it are not really suitable for fast drawing and this is one of my primary priorities.
Since I rotate knives often, I like to use one lanyard/fob for multiple knives and I usually will attached it directly to the clips,
it works like a charm, never had issues with this way of attaching it and never lost a lanyard.
Lanyards/fobs are IMO essential if you use wave on your folder, much easier and faster to deploy the blade.
I got this one (on another knife) from Gary W. Graley Gary W. Graley and it's one of my favorites, thank you again Sir !

zzQMfW.jpg
 
I forgot to mention it... I used to take care of some rentals and during the process, I had to go through some attics and other closed, tight spaces.
Very often my knife will catch on something and drop out of my pocket or I'll drop it while working.
I started using reflective paracord for fobs and lanyards and finding a knife made it a breeze - you only have to bring a flashlight close to your line of sight and scan the area,
the paracord will reflect the light straight back in your eyes and you will find your knife, 100% working as long as one understand that the light beam should be close to your line of sight.

3SujpW.jpg
 
In addition to the fore mentioned when using over water; deep snow would be another time — if not attached to your person, then a long colored cord so that in can be retrieved when dropped, especially when it goes straight down
 
I used to tie a piece of paracord/leather on every new knife I got. Now I dont, but a small knife like the Spyderco Ladybug/Jester, the lanyard/fob gives a little bit more purchase using the knife.
 
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