Lanyards on your survival knife and a very cool TOPS Woods Knife!

B

bearthedog

Joined
May 17, 2006
Messages
4,290
I have heard some people talking about how they don’t use a lanyard because it gets caught on brush and they can lose their knife. Maybe their sheath sucks? I for one have never had this happen so I continue to use lanyards on just about all my knives. I got into a discussion a while back around a campfire about lanyards and think everyone had their own ways and theories of using them.


I compiled a few pictures of some lanyard variations I use on my fixed blades, SAK’s, and Choppers.

For chopping knives and machete’s I prefer the same as my fixed blade knife. The lanyard is passed over the thumb and then around the backside of the hand. Less swing if it is dropped.

IMG_4243-1.jpg


JungleDay2053.jpg

Peru 2007 (Jeff Randall Photo)


For smaller knives, I use a smaller lanyard that just attaches to my pinky and ring finger just in case of any accidental slipping. The bright color also makes it easy to find if and when the knife gets dropped.

Loop in the middle of the lanyard to slip a finger into
IMG_1865.jpg



Lanyards with the TOPS Indio
IMG_1415.jpg


Blade: 3 5/8” Flat Grind
Cutting edge: 3 3/8”
Thickness: 5/32”
Overall length: 7 3/8”
Steel: 154 CM
Sheath: Leather
Weight: 4.8oz
Weight w/ Sheath: 6.6oz


Handle features blue and black G10 scales with red liners.
IMG_1584.jpg


Leather Sheath
IMG_1446.jpg


Large belt loop
IMG_1490.jpg

The snap on the leather sheath cuts out the possibility of losing your knife due to it catching on brush.
IMG_1494.jpg



When I first took the knife out of the box I remembered it didn’t come with a lanyard hole. The scales are fastened with hex screws so all I had to do was take one out and attach my own. The other two screws kept the scales perfectly intact.
IMG_1880.jpg

My regular lanyard position same as with the choppers.
IMG_1855.jpg

IMG_1857.jpg
 
In the same fashion as stated above, I attached the lanyard around the index finger and choked back on the end of the handle. The index, middle finger, and thumb hold the knife securely for a few more extra inches when I need to chop with a small knife.
IMG_1883.jpg


Removing the hex screw closest to the blade allows for attaching a lanyard in a forward position. This usually done on large chopping knives, but I did see a guy doing it on a smaller fixed blade during a survival course.

IMG_1867.jpg


IMG_1869.jpg


When dropped it just stays in place which is why it is a good position for big choppers.

IMG_1872.jpg


IMG_1876.jpg


IMG_1570.jpg




More Lanyard info
http://funditor.110mb.com/wiki/index.php/Knife_Lanyard
 
The TOPS looks pretty handy, kind of like a smaller version of the Pasayten. Good lanyard info too.
 
Good photos as usual Reuben! I actually like to use a shorter fob/lanyard...I call it the "pinky" lanyard. It's a small knotted fob where I can loop my pinky in, a couple inches from the knife. It works for most standard holds...not really a "locking" lanyard, but more just for retention.

ROCK6
 
tknife said:
The TOPS looks pretty handy, kind of like a smaller version of the Pasayten. Good lanyard info too.
Click to expand...

I think it is the best suited design that TOPS makes, along with the Pasayten, for a woods knife . I always felt it was their "sleeper" model full of potential.

-RB

ROCK6 said:
Good photos as usual Reuben! I actually like to use a shorter fob/lanyard...I call it the "pinky" lanyard. It's a small knotted fob where I can loop my pinky in, a couple inches from the knife. It works for most standard holds...not really a "locking" lanyard, but more just for retention.

ROCK6
Click to expand...

Got pics? Post them up my friend!
 
Last edited:
I have alot of para around from the things I make and sell, so I just add them when I need/want them. Right after I got my cast off my hand, I had to have them, or I would literally drop the knife. I started carrying para in 3 sizes with me, 12-18" 8-10" and 6". One for each type of use. My BK2 sees the most action, 'cause I chop with it, it gets the full length, wrapped and twisted, 'cause I hold onto the ball.

Nice pics, brother, you really know how to take'em.

Moose
 
That's a nice looking Tops. As for lanyards I am not really a fan, no reason in particular just not my cup of tea.
 
bearthedog said:
Got pics? Post them up my friend!
Click to expand...

Alright, my whole "knife" folder in Photobucket was deleted by some gremlin, so I've got to start taking some more pictures!

Here's a few quick shots of what I should patent as the RPL - Rock's Pinky Lanyard:D

DSC04137.jpg


DSC04138.jpg


DSC04139.jpg


DSC04142.jpg


DSC04141.jpg


DSC04140.jpg


As I mentioned, it's not a "locking-lanyard", but more of a simple retention lanyard when you're doing controlled cutting tasks. I would much rather have a wrist-wrapped lanyard like the one you have with your machete when you're doing a lot of swinging and chopping though. I really don't like have a long lanyard on a smaller fixed blade which is what steered me to the pinky lanyard.

ROCK6
 
Good Photos Reuben, and cool discussion, I have yet to put a lanyard on any of my folders though I do like the ones you and Rock use...and I probably should. I am really anal about having lanyard on larger knives though, especially anything big enough I might even think about chopping with.

I like that Indio. I wish you had done a spine shot. It looks like it has a full flat grind with distal taper.
 
That Indio blade profile is alot like my Dave Farmer Real Deal, and a few hairs bigger. I like it alot, though I think all the inscription on the blade is ugly as sin-TOPS needs to work on that. Rock, how do you like your Bushcraft Tactical? If you could go back and get the T3 SERE (the .2 inch 5160 version) would you? How hard do you think the blade was heat treated to?
 
mistwalker said:
I like that Indio. I wish you had done a spine shot. It looks like it has a full flat grind with distal taper.
Click to expand...

I was trying to just get the info out there, but I can get some knife shots for you tomorrow of the spine and a comparison picture for size.

Zombie Zeke said:
That TOPS Indio is on my short list, what a nice little knife!
Click to expand...

It is a very nice handy knife with a bead blast finish, not coated. It is around the size of the ESEE H.E.S.T.!

ROCK6 said:
Alright, my whole "knife" folder in Photobucket was deleted by some gremlin, so I've got to start taking some more pictures!

Here's a few quick shots of what I should patent as the RPL - Rock's Pinky Lanyard:D

As I mentioned, it's not a "locking-lanyard", but more of a simple retention lanyard when you're doing controlled cutting tasks. I would much rather have a wrist-wrapped lanyard like the one you have with your machete when you're doing a lot of swinging and chopping though. I really don't like have a long lanyard on a smaller fixed blade which is what steered me to the pinky lanyard.

ROCK6
Click to expand...
I like that. I use a pinky lanyard on my neck knives so there isn't a long cord dangling.
 
You should submit an Indio review for TK. I enjoy all your articles as well, bro. I'm starting to like the forward lanyard more on my fixed blades now, too
 
Excellent post and thread.

In my (sometimes wrong, but never humble) opinion, lanyards are:

...essential for utility knives (small to machete size) in outdoor situations, especially around or over water. I usually use the thumb-to-back-of-the-hand method. Never around the wrist. That way, the lanyard give added security keeping my fingers off the blade in a thrust, and makes it easier to pull the knife out. It also allows me to swing the knife back into my hand in the correct grip if I drop it. It also allows me to release the knife if it gets stuck in something and I need to let go. A wrist lanyard does none of those things easily.

...essential for small folders (like the Spyderco Dragonfly). I use a pinky lanyard for small folders.

...a liability on any knife that you're planning on using for fighting/self-defense, unless you have plenty of time to get your knife ready before the fray, and don't mind working with just one grip.
 
Also using a pinky lanyard on my home made knife. Then a hangman's noose on my machete.

Also have a long lanyard on my Insingo so it is easy to spot when on the farm.

P9140006Small.jpg

P9140007Small.jpg


P30-09-10_12-501.jpg

P30-09-10_12-50.jpg


P30-09-10_17-41.jpg


Love the red line in the TOPS knife!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top