Lanyard

F

Fenris

Joined
Oct 5, 1998
Messages
464
What is a lanyard basically for on a knife. I just put one on my Emerson CQC7. I used a hangman's knot similar to the ones used on Microtech knives. The draw seems a lot more secure because you have the rope and handle of the knife in your hand until you get it into your hand fully.Is this what this type of lanyard for, a more secure draw?

Jason
 
My understanding is that the lanyard can be unwoven, and the cord looped around your hand when your working over something that you wouldn’t want to drop your knife on or in, for example working over water or a raft filled with air.

Of course if it helps you get a better draw on your knife, great!


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Take Care,

LD
 
This lanyard thing has got me quite confused also, so many knives have lanyard holes and yet how many people actually use them? I also question the "better draw" senario as many knives have the hole located opposite from the clip opening, thus placing the majority of the lanyard in your pocket! ....how does this help in a quicker draw? The only folder I own that seems to make sense is my Sebenza (lanyard sticks out of the pocket)... any comments?, does anyone keep their lanyards on?
 
This is just a rumor... But I heard that one of my co-worker could draw his knife really fast with the lanyard and snap it open in mid air, and then pull the lan yard back, let it go, and grab the knife's handle with the blade open with his hand. Now that is cool. Of course, it is not really practical and it is extremely dangerous. But us computer people don't get much thrills other than death defying knife stunts.
smile.gif


PS: Don't practice this!!!
 
LuckyDog is right about it's uses.Primarily lanyards were used on fixed blades as a means to retain the knife in case of accidentlly droppage. More so in military applications during the various wars weve been engaged in.Back then there were no fancy one hand folders to use the lanyard as a draw mechanisism.As for me if I draw in a street situation I don't want a piece of rope or cord to be a possible hinderance.
Bob
 
Thought I would add my two sense to this discussion.

In my experience, I have found a lanyard to be a critical piece of equipment for ensuring my knives stayed with me during outdoor activities. For example, while I was going through the Evasion portion of USAF Survival School, I carried a Buck Crosslock in the front pocket of my BDU pants. Since we were covering a lot of ground during the day, including some low crawling, etc., having the knife secured with a paracord lanyard made sure the knife was there when I needed it. On another occasion when I was surf fishing in the Atlantic Ocean, I secured the knife with a piece of cord and drapped it around my neck.

On both occssions, making sure the knife stayed with me was my primary reason for using the lanyard. I have not tried to use a lanyard for quick draw and because I agree that it would probably just get in the way, will probably continue to only use a lanyard when I go "out in the field".

Dale H
 
The lanyard has traditionally been used to secure the knife to the user in situations where the knife could not be retrieved if dropped, eg. over water.

Another way to secure your knife is to pass the line through the lanyard hole and then tie the ends together. Pass the loop under your belt and then put the knife through the loop. Your knife should now be secured to your belt by the lanyard and can be returned to your pocket. You can still take it out of your pocket to use it and, if necessary, the lanyard can be removed from the belt and placed around your neck.

Some makers, most notably Chris Reeve, braid their lanyard line so that 2 feet of line can be carried in a tail only a couple of inches long.

I can't imaging using the lanyard for a tactical draw. After all, you have to have the knife firmly in hand to open and use it.


 
My SAK Tinker had a short lanyard on it for awhile. One day at work I cut a piece of line with the SAK and put it back into my pocket. The blade had closed on the lanyard and was open enough for me to get a nice cut on my finger when I reached for the knife again.

Personally, a lanyard gets in my way even when I'm working over water. I found that the best cure for dropping or kicking tools into the water is to spend a whole bunch of money on replacement tools. After a couple of expensive trips to Sears, you won't drop anything again.

 
My lanyard is on the back of the knife because the knife is tip down carry. I actually don't pull on the braided lanyard, but when i draw the knife by pulling on the handle, the rope is in my hand although I don't grip it and it seems more secure.

Jason
 
Another use of a lanyard is to increase the length of the knife for chopping. Given a fairly small knife say 4 inches of blade, you can hod the knife, two fingers on the handle and two on the lanyard, the knife will then generally chop better.

Or, you can add a lanyard/knot to knives with small grips like the REKAT Fang to give your hand the illusion of a full grip...

MDP
 
From the military's perspective...I've only used the lanyard when I know there is a possible threat of loss, ie an airborne night jump, over water while fishing, etc. To be honest, I really don't like the lanyard on the knife, that's why I carry a piece of 550 cord or nylon cord in my pocket. When I foresee the possiblity of loss, I'll "dumby cord" the knife to my belt loop.

It's not always necessary, but can come in handy when you need the extra security for that $100+ knife you just purchased!

Dave
 
the lanyard is very useful for a work knife-
enough of a braided cord to hang out of the pocket is just right to prevent putting a greasy hand in your pocket- good for when you are wearing gloves also-less likely to lose a knife when working than a pocket clip also
 
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