Lanyard - what for?

M

midnight-ramble

Joined
Apr 13, 2002
Messages
7
Yes, a rookie with a question. Why bother with a lanyard? What are they good for? I've got a folder (SOG Pentagon Elite) and a fixed blade (Becker CU7), and I don't know why I'd want a lanyard on either of them.

Am I missing something?

Midnight Rambler
 
Some folks have them strictly for looks, with their lanyards tied in a fancy knot.

Others use them to pull a folder out of a pocket quickly.

A lanyard is also good to secure the knife to your hand when it is vital not to drop it, as on a boat, climbing, etc.

Hope this helps - BTW I removed the lanyards from any of mine that came with one, but that's just my personal preference.
 
With a "tip up" folder, the lanyard can make it easier to access the knife from a clipped position, particularly from an IWB position or pocket clipped. It's a matter of preference.

BTW, welcome to the Forums.:)
 
You can throw the knife a short distance without losing it.

Welcome to the forum :)
 
1. Easier to extract from pocket

2. An extra length of 550 paracord could be useful for any number of uses should the need arise
 
On a Sebenza, my only use is to get it out of the pocket more quickly. But on a bigger knife, I find them extremely useful to secure them to my wrist, loosely, so if i'm on water or on the side of a cliff and i drop the knife, I don't lose it. It is also has its uses in fighting. Obviously, you have to be careful because if you use it improperly it can be dangerous.
 
I think that rt014 has listed the two most popular reasons that lanyards are used, and the reason that I sometimes use a lanyard on my EDC. In making my lanyard, I use a piece of 550 paracord the same length as would be needed to attach my knife to my belt/belt loop and still have it sit down comfortably in my pocket. I then use that piece of paracord to tie a coil knot as has been popularized by Chris Reeve. http://www.chrisreeve.com/righthandcoilknot.jpg

With that set-up, you have: an easier way to access your knife from your pocket, a piece of paracord that when untied is the perfect length to secure the knife to your pants yet still ride comfortably in your pocket, and a piece of 550 paracord right there with your knife that can be used for a multitude of things.

Bucky
 
Some knives, like a UDT, are easier to hold with a lanyard
attached. It give the hand something longer to hold on to.
Without the lanyard, the UDT handle leaves two fingers holding
onto air.

Mike:)
 
Err... correct me if I'm wrong, but the "Chris Reeve coil knot" appears to be a simple gallows knot, yes, for hanging people the slow way {asphyxiation).

Just find it funny that he's called it by his own name.
 
AlphalphaPB: Yeah, I notice that too. Maybe it's to render justice towards Sebenza haters :D.

- Mark
 
Originally posted by midnight-ramble
Why bother with a lanyard? What are they good for? I've got a folder (SOG Pentagon Elite) and a fixed blade (Becker CU7), and I don't know why I'd want a lanyard on either of them.
Click to expand...

The handle on the Becker is a bit slippery and if it were slip out of your hand while you were chopping something it could end up in your foot or in someone else if you didn't have it lashed. Even lashed it wouldn't be the most pleasant of experiences, but at least it wouldn't go flying.

As for lanyards on folders, I've never been partial to them...but that's personal preference...

-Z
 
on duty I carry the L-UDT
It sitsin my pocket just under my holster, a lanyard lets me pull the knife out easily without having to wrestle it out.
 
Some excellent replies as to how other people use lanyards. Just thought you might want to know that traditionally they should be approx 2 feet long, able to go through the epaulet on your shoulder and hang at the right height to be grabbed by your hand. Used for retention of pretty much anything really, not just knives, and just a smaller version of a baldric. Out of fashion these days as we have pockets and belt clips/pouches.
 
A lanyard is an absolute must on any fixed blade knife that is used to chop. It not only keeps you from losing hold of the knife....it actually facilitates chopping by allowing you to use more of a wrist snapping motion during the cut.

Put a lanyard over the back of your wrist and then let the handle of the knife "fulcrum" over the base of your index finger as you chop and you will see what I mean.
 
Group - I appreciate the help. Now I understand lanyards a little better. I'm thinking no lanyard for the folder, and yes, I need one for the Becker CU7. You're correct about the slippery handle. I wrapped it in baseball bat tape, and that improved the grip a lot.

Now, one more rookie question. What's 550 paracord and why is it special? And where do I get some.

Midnight Rambler
 
Originally posted by midnight-ramble
Now, one more rookie question. What's 550 paracord and why is it special? And where do I get some.
Click to expand...

Paracord is a great all-purpose cord. It's uses are limited only by your imagination. It is strong and impervious to oil and most chemicals, provided you get the mil-spec versions. Mil-spec cord has 7 internal strands within the outer "tube" of nylon. Cheaper versions have only 5, and are much less durable.

Get some at www.blackhawkindustries.com . Search under "cord".
 
Anyone else use bungee? Obviously you have to be careful using it, or, sproing...aaarrrggghhhh:) But I have used it on some knives and it works very well, especially when you have only one hand free and can't loosen and tighten the lanyard or if you don't have alot of time to do so. for fancies, I like the look, feel and performance of leather, if it's maintained. I'm not thrilled with anything that can sever or seriously cut the wrist.
 
this came on my Chris Reeve Umfaan.

It's easy to get it out of the pocket.

<center><IMG SRC="http://www.mikemargolis.com/umfaan1.jpg"></center>
 
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