Question about lanyards

H

High_Noon

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Nov 14, 2014
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I have been wondering about the proper usage of a lanyard on a knife - both folders and fixed blades. It seems that the majority of lanyards I see are decorative, have intricate knots/beads, etc. Whenever I have used a lanyard, it has been to either secure the knife to my trousers (via a long lanyard), such as when I am on a research vessel at sea, or to secure the knife to my wrist so I won't drop/lose the bade in certain demanding field work. Why are there so many of these "decorative" lanyards and what practical purpose do they serve? What say you?
 
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The decorative ones are more "fobs" I believe, lanyards are to attach to something and longer.
I have fobs on a couple of my shorter handle knives to help with gripping the knife or drawing it in a deep carry position.
Lots of times its guy jewelry.
 
As opposed to a lanyard, a short decorative "fob" (with or without beads)is often used to lengthen a short handle for better grip. Sometimes it is just for looks or to identify the knife (as in orange stands out in snow or grass). I prefer plain adjustable paracord thongs for security uses. Some dont.YMMV. Slow typist.
 
As said most "landyards" are really "fobs"...not yobs or fops but fobs...

A landyard is another animal.

Fobs are decorative with possibly the ease of removing the pocket knife from said pocket.
 
"to secure the knife to my wrist so I won't drop/lose the bade in certain demanding field work."

That seems to be the main use...often applied to keeping a handgun tied to your wrist when you may be sleeping in a tent in the woods and thereby providing main protection.
Decorative lanyards(fobs?) are a different story, IMO. Some cost a lot of money, or have special skulls or whatever attached to the lanyard. I find that a short lanyard could be helpful when used on a folder that has a deep pocket clip. HOWEVER, I do NOT like to use these, as I am too paranoid that some stranger could also quite easily snatch my folder by the lanyard and take off running. And I don't run these days. I am willing to take the one extra second necessary to retrieve my knife out of my front pocket.
So there is decorative value...I have seen some attractive lanyards used on FIXED "hunting" knives which I think are good. Also, there is real value if a guy needs to draw the knife in a hurry. I am okay with using them on fixed blades, which sometimes ride in pocket sheaths when you out in the woods.
Everything rides on opinions...
 
Well, I'm not a "Guy Jewelry" or "decorative" type of guy, so I'll pass on that. I believe they way I have been using a lanyard is most likely the correct way, so I'll believe I'll just stick with that unless someone can present a compelling argument against my method.

Thanks!
 
I put them on folders to assist in removal from pocket or slipcase...usually just a Reeve Coil, no loops except on those I might use a lot outdoors. I actually use copper chain on one of my HEST folders. I keep a beaded finger slip loop in the leather lanyard on my Grayman.

On fixed blades I usually make them big enough for wrist loops in the case of bush knives or thumb loops in the case of tacticals. In all cases loops are slip-loops (either by bead or designed into the wrap) so that loop size is adjustable and when not needed the loop can disappear so as not to snag on anything.

Sure, a lot of it is just decoration/customization. I happen to like leather anyway and think a flash of leather on some knives adds a little style. Paracord can look good too as lanyard or handle material.

I think a lot of the lanyard thing is just, "Hey, there's a hole," too......
 
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Other than decorative uses, I know a few people that don't use clips on their folders. They have the lanyard, usually fancy knotted with a bead, hanging out of their pocket and use it to draw out the knife when needed.
 
The purpose of a lanyard is to keep the knife snug in your hand while using the knife and to let the knife dangle off your hand if you need your fingers on that hand to do something while in adverse conditions or nighttime.

A bead or knot helps facilitate your grasp or purchase to remove a folder or fixed blade from a pocket or sheath, but as far as skulls go? I will pass, thank you.
 
A few thoughts... Some knives carry so deep in their sheath or the pocket, that a little assistance is needed for quick deployment. This ZT 0770, for example, carries so deep that it's almost inaccessible without a lanyard:




The same ting can apply to fixed blades as well. For example, this Bravo-1 fits so deeply and snugly in this dress-style sheath, that a lanyard makes all the difference in unsheathing it:




And sometimes, a lanyard just looks cool and compliments the knife - nothing wrong with that either:




And a glow-in-the-dark bead on a lanyard also makes finding your camp knife MUCH easier in the dark:

 
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Man has been fascinated by skulls since the beginning of time.
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link2derek: Thanks for taking the time to post those pictures. Your points are well taken: however, I have never had a knife ride so deeply on a pocket that I had trouble fishing it out. I guess in certain self-defense situations it could be beneficial, but then that is what my CCW if for. I understand now that fobs can serve a legitimate purpose. I guess I always shied away from them on most of my folders, because I felt that they mostly got in the way or soaked up unwanted fluids.
 
ha- i thought it might have been house (2)! nice!

back on topic:
i use lanyards to fish my folders out of my boker case and pockets
 
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