The Knife Lanyard

I only use a lanyard if I'm cleaning fish on a boat, to keep my knife from falling overboard and going to Davey Jones Locker if it slips out of my hand.
 
If you use the method I describe above, there is almost no chance you will lose control of your knife. If it is done correctly, the lanyard is too short for an uncontrolled swing and it is anchored by being hooked over your thumb. If you follow the directions, the knife will swing back into your hand in the correct hold position.
Try it yourself and practice a bit, you will see what I mean. :)

Best regards
Leo

I've practiced a bit with it. I agree a lanyard over the thumb helps "anchor" the knife to your hand, and I like the look and fee of it a lot. However, I think that if I where taking a big chopping swing and the knife did get free, the knife would still come back at my arm even using this method... though I don't think as badly as if I put the knife lanyard around my wrist.

Basically in terms of personal safety I feel:
Wrist lanyard < Thumb lanyard <(possibly = to) No lanyard
 
I have only used a lanyard on a knife when working over water. I never chop with any one at my 12 or 6 so this helps to lessen the potential for injury. Has any one ever seen someone flail their arm around after somehow catching it on fire? I saw a guy do the same thing but in this case the fire was a large knife that was attached by lanyard to his hand that he lost control of after a bad swing and then he continued to swing the thing around in an effort to keep the blade from cutting him. Funny as h3ll.
 
Top lanyard is the best because with a twist the blade stays in your hand even if you let go. The problem with top lanyard is you need a knife with the correct hole, ooor you need to drill a hardened knife. Not a lot of fun.
 
I have always thought that the lanyard hole should be in front of the grip, not the end of the tang. I had the chance to try one out last year. It worked great. Even if you lost your grip, the handle stayed right in your palm. It did not swing at all.
 
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