opinion on thong holes needed

shappa

shappa

Joined
Oct 15, 1998
Messages
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Very simply...I'm working on my first knives. They are 3-4 inch fixed utility blades.
Do you guys like thong holes on these size/use knives. I'm kind of flip-flopping. I've got a few arno bernards with no thong holes that are sweet ...but I've also got a few stag Irie sport knives that are equally great with thong holes. I think if their size and postition are correct you hardly see them...they sort of blend with the flow of the handle.
gimme your opinions...yea or nay.
 
If it's about appearence, then it's totally an opinion and do whichever you prefer. I'd have to see a pic of the knife to give my opinion, it would depend on the exact knife. For functionality there's 2 reasons (that I know of) for a thong or lanyard hole.

The first is for a large chopper, you put it around your wrist so it doesn't fly out of your hand. They're often required for cutting compatitions. If your handle gets wider towards the butt, or has some sort of pommel, then a lanyard won't be needed if it offers a secure grip. From your description, your blade doesn't fall into this catagory.

The second reason for a lanyard is to act as a makeshift guard when thrusting with a knife that has no guard or groove to prevent your hand sliding onto he blade. It has to be sized for the hand for it to work correctly. You'd put the loop up along the handle, then put your fingers through it, then the tightness of the lanyard prevents your hand from moving further then the loop allows. Make sure not to use a material that streches for this use. If your handle has a guard or finger groove, or a bulge, then it might not be needed for this purpose.

Hope this helps.
 
#3...They are also used so that you can just let go of the knife and not have to put it down to use that hand. example: to clean small game.
#4 to be able to use the thong to draw the knife from the sheath.

Yea or nay?
 
To get to the point, what do your customers want? What we like is relevent only if we are not trying to sell the product.
 
If its for yourself, I'd suggest considering what is most comfortable. Some people find that if the lanyard hole is closer to the spine of the handle, the thickness of the lanyard material as it comes out of the lanyard hole tends to put uncomfortable pressure on the base of the hand. Esp with leather lanyards.

In terms of "customer needs" my approach is to incorporate the lanyard hole and tubing into the design on 99% of my knives. I only exclude the lanyard hole/tubing if it will severely clash with the visual integrity of the design. I personally prefer to have the lanyard hole there and not need it, than to not have it when you need it. That way, there's always the choice.

But no doubt, lanyard holes need to be lined. Jason.
 
I always put lanyard holes on my knives. On my hunting knives, I feel it's a safety issue. When field dressing big game, you are inside the chest cavity cutting blind. You also are working in a very slippery enviroment. If the knife slips out of your hand with a lanyard around your wrist you will not have to worry about dropping it and fishing around for it, taking a chance cutting yourself. I don't line my lanyard holes as I've never had a problem thus far. (knock on wood) :D
Scott
 
I also think they should be on most hunters. Some styles just don't lend themselves to them.

Other reasons for them are to hang the knife while using, like from a tree limb or bush.
Also, they aid in drawing the knife from a deep sheath.
 
I like the lanyard holes - I agree that it is better to have and not need than need and not have. Lined is the only way to go. If there is a chance that unlined could be a problem, why not line to prevent the possibility?
Also work good if you need to lash a knife to a stick for a spear.
I mostly like them because the look cool (my opinion)

Happy Hammering
 
I'm on the "Yea" side of this one. Take care to balance the look of your handle to incorporate it. Like Jason said, better to have one when you want it and if done right it fits right in with most anything.
 
I like thongholes on my knives, and I always put them on the knives I make, but I really don't know why. I never actually put a thong in it, or use the thong if it's already on the knife. I have a little damascus knife I'm working on(you're gonna like this one, Tom), and it is drilled for a thonghole, but I think I'm gonna cover the hole when I put the handles on. Reason being, I wanna use mammoth ivory on the handle and I'm kinda worried about how close the thonghole is in relation to the butt. I'm afraid it's a little too close, and will most certainly crack out.
 
Danbo, The utility knife you made for me has a thong hole. I waited a few weeeks before putting a knotted line thong with a deer tine tip on it. It definetly helps draw the knife from the Rowe sheath.
Send me a pic of what your working on!
I've got a grizzly now and I just got a pyroglass platten in the mail yesterday.
Of the two knives I've ground out so far one definetly needs a thong hole and the other could go either way.
 
I put thong holes on pretty much anything besides kitchen knives anymore. You don't have to use them but they don't hurt anything being there. If your using the knife around water, one slip and it can be gone forever. There's also times when dropping it could cause other problems, like working on a roof with other people working down below :eek: They just offer an extra bit of safety and convenience.
I always line them with a peice of tubing also.
 
Put me down for a "yea" and another usage example.....when working in an environment where dropping the tool would mean its loss, as over water or when suspended from a climbing line, etc.



Larry S.
 
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