Lanyards....What's the point?

B

brettofthejungle

Joined
May 18, 2008
Messages
66
Hey everyone. Just wondering. I see all these knives with lanyards....even tied one on mine cause i thought it looked cool. But with all this, I wonder, just where did this start? Most of the lanyards i see don't have a hole for a wrist or finger or hook. seems that they are pure aesthetics. is this true?
 
I think lanyards are good on machetes, hatchets, things that you chop with that might go flying. But on a smaller knife, really no need from a retention standpoint IMHO. Sometimes they come in handy when retrieving a knife from a deep pouch sheath, but that's more of a fob in my book than a lanyard. Semantics, though...
 
I was never big on lanyards, but I stuck one on a small light (Fenix AAA) that I carry in my pocket. Makes it easy to distinguish it from all of the other stuff that rides in there along with it (Case sodbuster, mini Sharpie, etc). I'm not much on decorative lanyards, though.
 
On small knives they make it easier to pull out of a pouch sheath or pocket. On big knives they provide a wrist strap. And on some knives, they just look cool.
Stacy
 
A functional one is a good thing to have when you're anywhere near the water. Seldom see a rigging knife that is actually used that doesn't have one. Might as well make it pretty while you're at it.
 
Just bought three of them, and it does make the knive look cooler/nicer, lol
 
I prefer knives with lanyard holes but rarely use lanyards.
:D
Lately though i've been thinking that a blaze orange para-cord lanyard is a good idea.
You know just in case you accidentally drop it will be easier to find.
I notice some people are going for the neon colored knife grips lately but personally i still prefer more subdued handle colors.
A bright colored lanyard seems like a good compromise.
 
I agree with theodoric--Any knife used regularly around water should have a lanyard and used. As far as that goes, any tool. It took several hard lessons before I took this to heart.--KV
 
i keep a long lanyard around on my knives i use around water, and tie them to a beltloop etc.

i also use lanyards on my machetes/big choppers. also good for small blades so you can scoot your hand back on the handle to do light chopping, by moving the balance forward.

lanyards are great sometimes. i don't use purely decorative lanyards, i'm no good at tying pretty lanyards and have never taken the time to learn...
 
I have a lanyard on every knife that will accept one. For fixed blades, the lanyard goes around my wrist or knuckles for retention in case I lose my grip (easy to do when a smooth handle meets my wet or bloody hands). For folders, it makes it easier to withdraw the knife from a pocket or pouch. And yes, it looks good.
 
They make complete sense in and around water. Water is greedy, and would like nothing better than to suck up your knife. Frankly you might be surprised how hard it is to get something out of waist deep water.

In general I can't stand lanyards; I don't keep one on my knife, and haven't ever considered it. I doubt I would, except when I go near the water. Different strokes for different strokes though, some people absolutely love them.

I keep simple lanyards on tiny stuff though, like my Leatherman Micra that floats around in my pocket; I keep my change and such in there, and the lanyard is an "aha!" to my fingers when I'm trying to get it out. Plus actually the whole extra grip thing works when you have a tool that small.
 
I have lanyards on just about every knife I have that will take one. Usually noose-style lanyards. When wrapped around my wrist, it makes darn sure I don't drop the knife no matter how slippery my hands might get. Plus, with my larger fixed blades I can hold the knife further back toward the end of the handle and thereby increase their chopping ability.

With folders it's a little easier to pull them out of a pocket if the lanyard is sticking out, as others have said.
 
I concur with the opinion that lanyards on pocket knifes make sense. I have been frustrated enough at work when trying to pull out my knife. The knife likes to lay flush with the bottom of the pocket, which makes it difficult to get out with one hand.
 
Another person who uses neon green para cord lanyards as it makes them easy to spot around a camp fire at night.
Like others here I can't quite bring myself to get a knife with a garish bright handle though.
 
The neon ones make it easier to find in the woods. People also use them so they have a length of cordage, should they ever need it. You can pack a good length into a fob if you braid it right.
 
Made of 5 mm prusik rope

RatmanduSheath02.jpg


HowlerSheath01.jpg


RatSheaths02.jpg



It makes it easy to grab, and pull it out of the pouch.

It makes it safer and more comfortable whilst performing light chopping duties, as it 'extends' the handle for better grip, and helps in preventing the blade from slipping out of your hand.

The bright color makes it easier to locate visually.

I don't care much for those thin paracord lanyards on fixed blades. On folders they can come in handy.
I really don't like lanyards with skullbeads. imho They are an expression of a not at all finished adolescence.. It's a sign of agressiveness that does'nt do much good to sheeple and such ( the majority of the population . I want them to be my friend, despite my knife habit )


this is a purely functional wristlanyard, as you really don't want to let go of this baby while whacking into something full force..

SheathRatweiler00.jpg




Have a Nice Day!
martin
 
On small knives with itty bitty handles (a Subcom for example), it gives you something more to grab onto, with the tension effectively lengthening the handle. The Hangman's Noose type lanyard Martin's showing in most of his photos is great for that.

Martin's last photo, showing a lanyard with two Michael Walker knots is great for larger stuff, keeping it attached to your wrist.
 
I would never wrap a lanyard from a knife I am chopping with to my wrist. When you miss and lose your balance you instinctively throw your hands out and that blade on a string can end up hitting you while you are flailing. I use a lanyard with my thumb slipped in it and wrapped around the back of my hand or wrist, nice and snug. It helps your grip while you are using it but is easier to get away from you if you begin to stumble or fall. I like a short lanyard with a knot in the right spot for folders and three finger type straight knives. Around the water it's always a good idea to have your knife attached to you in some way.
 
They are actually good things to have if you ride horseback a lot. Tying the lanyard to your belt ensures you still have the item at the other end when you get off the ground after a spill. This is why many early pistols had lanyard attachments. Likewise, when in a fight, and something is knocked from your hand, you still have it. With the old Gerber Mk II we put the loop on our thumb and wrapped the cord around the hand, like old time cops did with nightsticks. In theory you still had a chance of survival after someone smashed your wrist with a rifle butt. Supposedly. (Happily I missed that test of the theory.) Beyond that, they are mostly for decoration.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top