Lanyards on folders...yea or nay? (w/ poll)

Lanyards on folders?

  • I rock it!

    Votes: 33 26.8%

  • Lanyards are for boats!

    Votes: 70 56.9%

  • other

    Votes: 24 19.5%
  • Total voters
    123
  • Poll closed .
I had a fishing partner drop my boat knife overboard. Now I lanyard it to a rod holder.
Lanyards are for boats!
 
I don't see the point of attaching a lanyard on a folder (or any other knife) for that matter. It would just get in the way for drawing/opening the knife IMO and I'd never buy/use one.
 
Over the years I've changed from lanyards to what I nicknamed Bobtail Fobs, shorter, handier for drawing the knife from the pocket or sheath

IMG_7168 by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

My one pet peeve about knives with lanyard holes, when they only have a clip position that puts the lanyard hole down, not up, so it is practically useless, hah, those bug me...so I avoid buying ones that are like that.
G2
 
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I'm on the fence but, I voted 'lanyards are for boats' because none of mine are currently so-adorned. I think they definitely enhance the look of certain knives, though. Look at Gary's (above). I think that looks great. I also think they look good on CRK folders and other knives with simple, straightforward designs.

My tactical folders already look tacticool-enough without a lanyard/fob but, fixed blades are a different story.
 
I made a small loop with paracord that's about 1/2in big so I can attach a lobster claw clasp from my wallets outside key ring/pocket to that knife without fear of losing it. That's about as close as I have gotten to a lanyard. Beyond that I can see it's useful for keeping my Cold Steel Kudo upright in a pants pocket if you chose to EDC it, but not much else for normal folders. But to each their own.
 
I can certainly see the need for a lanyard when working with knives where they may get permanently lost if dropped, like fishing; otherwise I can take them or leave them. My Chris Reeve knives came with fobs. They don't bother me, so they're still attached. I don't have them on any of my other knives, but I put a fob on this Alox Cadet, though. Why? I don't know. That little ring thingy just looked like it ought to have something attached to it.
IMG_0675-X3.jpg
 
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I only tried it once, on my Survive Necker which has almost no handle. The maker has a YouTube video on making the FOB which supposedly helps the grip. I noticed no help and just an increase in bulk. A Sebenza folder came with one. I haven't used it. I think if you grew up never even seeing one, you're less likely to use one.
 
All 3 of my fixed blade bushcraft knives have lanyards. My Case Backpocket and GEC 43 gave short leather lanyards with fat knots that make pocket extraction easier. When I got my Emerson CQC7 I added a colorful single cord and bead. Half hour later took it off and went with OD green and a bead. Next day ditched the bead and kept a short loop of OD cord. Already today it looks out of place to me.
Love/hate for sure
 
I use them, but strictly for looks (at least on folders). Man jewelry, if you will. They look good on some knives, not so much on others. You can always take them off. I'm learning how to tie different patterns from the You Tube videos. It's fun and just adds another element to the knife hobby. But I can see why not everyone likes them- to each his own, I guess.
 
Only on a knife with a small handle since it lets me get a little better grip sometimes. I think the Lil' Native would be a good candidate, but it doesn't have a lanyard hole anyway.
 
I love the way fobs or lanyards look but every time i put one on I can’t stand it while carrying or using lol!
 
Here's an example of a lanyard, the celtic bead acts as a cinch in use, you can drop the knife if you have to grab a package, railing or what ever and still retrieve the knife quickly, the whipping knot near the knife keeps the lanyard under control so it doesn't flop about, I know others will tie knots right up to the knife, but, I use the knot as a catch for my pinky to draw the knife out, if it were a full knot thing, you wouldn't have that benefit.

bead_cincher by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

paracord_cincher by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

and I have since dropped using that style and have gone with my bobtail fob, very handy.

Triage_Bw by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

and a shot of my EDC

Nathan_Carothers_EDC by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

G2
 
marchone said:
I totally get the need for tethering a knife to one's wrist while working over water or high places, but 99% of these safe queens will never see a day of work in their pampered lives.

It's pure decoration when the loop doesn't open for a hand to slip through.
Click to expand...

100%. Not sure how people confuse a fob with a lanyard. Look it up.
 
I probably got my first folder between 56 and 57 years ago. I have pretty much always had at least one folder in my pockets ever since. Often more than one. None of the knives I have had during that time came with a string, or cord attached. Nor have I ever found a reason to attach one. I doubt I'll be finding a need to attach one in the future.

O.B.
 
I only have lanyards/fobs on my waved folders. I've tried lanyards on my other knives. Nope. Not for me.
 
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