"Wrist thong" use

[Colin KC]

Just a thought, but does anyone use the thong on knives actually on their wrist? The reason I'm asking is that I've been taught to use it around the base of the thumb & over the back of the hand for a safe, controllable & secure retainer & over a few drinks got into a "discussion" with some mates over the use of this device. The only way I could validate my argument is to ask some Americans, who use knives much more than us Brits.

Any thoughts gratefully recieved (unless you agree with the other guys )

 

[Steven Roos]

Personally, I don't use any lanyards on my knives.

 

[folsom]

A lanyard can serve a number of purposes, depending on how you use the knife (or other tool)

A wrist loop can keep you from dropping a knife in a bad place (like over the ocean while on a ship. That's a real bummer)

It can server as a handle to help you get something out of your pocket, in which case a single strand is fine.

It can help steady a knife, or lock it into your hand a bit, a single strand or your technique around the thumb can do this.

It can also show off some of your knotting skills

I kind of like lanyard for all these reasons, but only put them on a few knives.

Here's a lanyard I put on a rigging knife:

Or for a few pictures of other lanyards see this thread.

Mostly just showin' off.

 

[waelwulfas]

I use a short lanyard over the back of the hand, as you describe, on my Buck Intrepid for heavy chopping. It locks the knife into the hand and stops the blade flying out of your grip in poor conditions. Incidently as a retired police officer, this is how we used to use the strap on the old wooden truncheon.

 

[Colin KC]

Thanks Guys, I seem to have a don't use 'em, a, I use both methods (amongst others) & another Brit (BTW waelwulfas, have you visited British blades yet?)

Not exactly a pub argument winning poll

 

[misque]

I use lanyards mainly on blades that will see use as choppers. Nothing sux more than losing your grip in full swing and praying no one is standing over in the general direction the blade is flying toward.

This happened once when my wife and I were clearing some brush. I lost my grip on a machete on the back swing and away went the knife and landed a few feet from her. Needless to say, she wasn't too happy with me and questioned if I had upped the life insurance on her.
The American Bladesmith Society also requires use of lanyards on some of the qualification tests applicants are to perform for 'smith status. Sounds like a good idea to me.

 

[Ken C.]

Every fixed blade knife that I use outdoors and will chop has a lanyard (aka: wrist thing). My reasoning for this is quite simple. Though most of my outings don't require extensive chopping with a knife asituation may arise where I may have to. After repated blows to the "choppee" ones hand will most likely get fatigued. Fatigue and swinging a blade are a bad mix that may have dire reprecussions. The repeated beating on an object will weaken the muscles in the hand if it is done for a long period of time. The lanyard will insure that the knife will not slip out of the hand and cause you or anyone else serious injury.

 

[allenC]

I use one, around my wrist, with my machete because I don't want it slip out of my hand and hurt someone.

I have also used one with a folding pruning saw when I was up in a tree trimming branches.
But I have never used one with a pocket-knife.

Good luck,
Allen.

 

[rev_jch]

I would never use one unless Im in a position where I might loose the knife (over water, ect.).

 

[Josh Feltman]

Colin-- I like a lanyard on big choppers, and I use it the same way you do (looped around the base of the thumb and over the back of the hand.) I like this better than merely looping it around your wrist, because if you measure the lanyard properly, it can keep your hand from sliding forward onto the blade as well as keeping it in your hand if you lose your grip so it doesn't go flying.
--Josh

 

[Don Luis]

I like lanyards.

On fixed blades I like to use it on the thumb and over the back of the hand and I size my lanyards for that, if the lanyard is longer I use it on the wrist and give it enough turns to make it confortable, if it is shorter I only put a couple of fingers inside grabbing it along with the handle.

On pocket knives a small lanyard helps taking it out of pouch or pocket especially if it has a clip, I size mine to be able to stick two fingers inside but still be able to change the grip easily.

I tie decorative knots as a hobby so sometimes I make some pretty fancy lanyards.

 

[dizos]

Lanyards are also helpful when skinning game animals that are hanging -- it allows you to temporarily dangle the knife when you need both hands without the hassle of finding a grit-free place to set the stickey blade.

-- Dizos