Where have all the thong holes gone?

R

RKnight

Joined
Jan 11, 1999
Messages
537
I was looking for a custom fixed blade by a well known maker, and a couple came on the new market. While looking at the pic on the web I noticed there was no thong hole where previously there was one on this model. A chisel ground tanto blade with a kydex sheath for iwb or behind the back carry. Clearly not a utility piece.

I was shocked, shocked I tell you. (round up the usual suspects)

Then I looked all over the web at various 'tactical', and 'combat' knives.

Damn few thong holes to be found. Not only those cute little blue anodized liner folders, but black and grey blast serious all over folders.

A noticeable exception was Crawford.

Also found thong holes on 'utility' knives like the Sebenza and the Apogee.

Some models that used to have thong holes, now do not.

No I didn't do a thorough scientific study.

Recently, Ken Onion started a thread about what defines tactical. Well, Perrin says it's what you've got in your hand at the time of need. He also believes in thong holes. So do I.

The presence of a thong hole is as good a definition as any. Forget the blade style.

There are 'combat' folders with spear shaped blades and false edges, but no thong hole from makers who specialize in 'combat/tactical' knives.

Well, let the replys begin.

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Regards,
Ron Knight

Yeah I'm crazy, but what do you want me to do about it

[This message has been edited by RKnight (edited 24 October 1999).]
 
Ron: Good post. I agree. You'll find thong holes on all my "conventional" fixed blade models-the Quickening, Handiman, and on all my folders. As far as my Japanese styles, it's an option, although I have one on the Wasabi.

RJ Martin
 
Funny thing about thong holes. I started out putting thong holes in every carry knife I made. Then I learned that my local market didn't care about thong holes, tapered tangs, or fine blade finishes - they just wanted a $50 knife. So for a while I dropped all the extra features (except the blade finish - some things aren't negotiable). Lately (the last year) I've abandoned the local market to the guy's who want to service it. Now the thong holes and tapered tangs are back.

I think both features are part of what defines a handmade (full tang) fixed blade, and make them a more useful, balanced and attractive alternative to factory knives.

IMHO, of course
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www.planet.eon.net/~matth
matth@planet.eon.net
 
Why would you want holes in your thong?? None of the wife's thongs have any holes
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Every time my thong gets a hole in it I throw it away and buy a new pair.
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Sorry I couldnt help myself I knew it was going to happen and I had to do it. Ha! Ha!
 
I just finished a 7" bowie with a thong hole. 2 Folks asked me "what is that for?". I finished a very similar bowie a week ago and no one asked "wheres the thong hole?".

I agree with you, its nice to have if your using a knife over the water, or on a boat especially in rough weather. Also good when hands are cold and wet, but i think most folks that dont seriously use knives have no idea what a thong hole even is.

I kinda like putting them in, as its there if anyone needs it and it looks better.

Matt.
 
I put em in some of my first knives, but I got the same reaction as Matt. Noone used em and noone wanted em. Some folks flat out hated em. I figured make knives the buyers want, so I stopped puttin em in. Guess I'll start usin em again, at least in some knives. Take care! Michael
God Bless America!<img src=http://members.aol.com/l6steel/ebay/flag.jpg>

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"Always think of your fellow knife makers as partners in the search for the perfect blade, not as people trying to compete with you and your work!"
 
Lets hear it for 2 thong holes. It makes for some creative holding of a knife. Maybe not, but it certainly is twice the fun lacing cord through 2 holes. They do look cool. My new Simonich talonite Sheepsfoot Cetan has one. Bet you didn't know there were thongs on sheeps feet.

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Howard A. Faltz, Owner
Arizona Knife Source
"Keep it Sharp"
Luke 22:26
www.azknife.com
 
I prefer a thong or lanyard hole, but I really don't like two. A lanyard is great as a safety around the wrist when you can't afford to drop the knife or when you need to grab it. Leather looks great but I've found bungee cord to be very useful in the field or on the water. As long as you can tie the thong out of the way, it's good to have. Also applies to folders, although it is harder to tie them out of the way. Two holes: tough to get a neat lanyard out of one line and two holes.
 
Mad Dog knives have always had a thong hole.

Bring on the M.D. bashers!

We all know nobody can post a positive remark about Mad Dogs here without getting it.Look back for yourself, it's all there!Since so many other knifemakers are represented here, it would make an intelligent person wonder about their motives!
 
I initially put thong holes in everything. then i started to think about it. A thong hole in a 9" Bowie? Do I really want that dangling from my wrist???

I realize that some folks will wrap the thong around their fingers to keep the hand from slipping forward... but on a knife with a perfectly good guard, this is also irrelevant.

My point is, thongs are great, when they fit. On a snappy little "dress" folder I might omit them for the sake of cleaner looks (yes, looks can actually be a concern), and on a really big knife with a full guard I might similarly omit the thong hole. Anything in between gets one unless the customer specifies otherwise.

Oh, and for 4Dcheap, I do think putting a thong hole on something like the "Hell Cat" does show a lack of forethought. No comment on charging $2,000 for it...

-Drew
 
MD has the hole,but you have to cut it out.A leather punch works fairly well.You are going to need it,I don`t see the hidden feature.
 
Lanyard/Thong Holes are essential.

Sometimes I can stand a knife without one.

But 99% of the time it is a permanent black mark against that knife.

And.....

What about placement of the whole????????

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Marion David Poff aka Eye mdpoff@hotmail.com
Coeur D'Alene, ID
http://www.geocities.com/mdpoff

An interesting business oppurtunity... http://www.geocities.com/selouss

"We will either find a way, or make one." Hannibal, 210 B.C.
 
Off topic but....

"thong holes"- everytime I hear this term it just makes laugh.
I can always keep a straight face saying laynard hole even if it is not technically correct term.

I know at the ABS cutting competition "thong holes" are required for a knife to be entered. In heavy use a knife is much safer. I have seen axes in the air because of a wet handle . I also like to see guards on heavy use blades. My my 2 cents.

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The first two Crawford KFFs (one which I have sold) did not have thong holes.

My later purchases of a mini-KFF (also later sold) and two new KFFs had thong holes.

So in Pat Crawford's case, it appears that he added the feature to the KFF.

Axel

[This message has been edited by Axel Yup (edited 11 December 1999).]
 
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