Knife Lanyards

This is what lanyards are on knives or guns to me.

SharpDog said:

I use them on both. I would hate to lose either at the bottom of a lake for example.

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I don't go swimming with my knives or guns.

I do actually have a knife I specifically reserve for boat or woods usage. It's still a nice knife, but it's the cheapest knife of good quality I own, but also my least favorite. There is no reason for me to carry a gun on a boat.

My post above is mostly a joke. I don't use lanyards because I frankly just don't like stuff hanging off my tools, or my person. But I certainly understand why some use them.

I do not put lanyards onmost things, especially pistols, fixed-blade knives or any other edged or cutting tools.
Lanyards snag and jerk on things at the most inopportune moments... .

Never thought of a lanyard on a knife like this.

I've used a lanyard for retention for certain activities where I know a dangling tool (including a knife) would not be "wise" in use, if only to keep from dropping something in a very inconvenient place.

It does have an attraction for use in assisting on slippage prevention, especially for some knife/hilt designs.

Interesting, OP, thanks for the pics!

I only put lanyards on small fixed blades so far. I don't like loops hanging out as they get snagged on things at the least opportune times...

But the little extra knot on the back is useful when the grip of the knife itself isn't that long.
Mine:

I work out of a small skiff down here in south Florida. I don’t have a lanyard on my everyday carry ( a full sized Benchmade Ascent) but do have one on an a new full sized Griptilian that’s been on my skiff for almost five years now (my emergency back-up). Working on the water with any kind of tool - even a screwdriver... a lanyard, even an improvised one, is a very good idea. I’ve lost more than one good tool (even high end knives and other expensive tools..) when dropped. That little splash is all you ever hear...

Most of my lanyards by the way are only made from fishing leader and are just meant to keep
from losing a tool (of any kind) that’s slipped from your hand on the water. That “little splash” is no fun at all.

The only thing I have a lanyard of sorts on are my glasses, I've lost two pair overboard over the years. So either a make shift loop, or the elastic store bought ones like Croakies.

Edit: This is only when I'm on the water.

I have lanyards on any handgun that will be used off pavement. I almost lost one and figured they are cheap insurance. Likewise for knives I will use a lanyard. If they are fitted with a lanyard hole. Many are not.

SharpDog said:

Most of my fixed blade knives have lanyards, here's why and how I use them:

Why: To help grip the knife, especially helping keep my hand from slipping forward and that especially at times when I am choking up on the blade to fine or precise cuts.

Notice the two loops in the lanyard below.

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The larger loop is just large enough to fit my hand / wrist (allow some space to fit thin gloves):

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The upper loop is a thumb loop. Here's how to use it:

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Both lanyard usage styles will get tighter as you choke up on the knife but the thumb style lets you control the tightness a bit more with the back of your thumb instead of your wrist.

Do you use a knife lanyard ? How and why do you use, or not use one ?

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Yeah, I like lanyards. I also like Spartan blades , very nice.

A few years before I retired, I grew tired of loosing pocket knives. I'd attach a lanyard to one and the other end to my belt loop. Left it long enough to use it for what I needed to around the shop and stopped loosing knives. Until I took the lanyard off and lost a Benchmade. grr.

For years I used a Kershaw Gator for deer and the rubber like handle was plenty grippy and I cant remember it ever slipping. Problem was always laying it down while dressing one and then making sure I found it when done. I always thought an orange handle would be handy. I used to put flouresent stick on arrow wrap material on my flashlights at work so I could find them quickly.

Came back to this thread and learned a bit... To expand on what I had to say about lanyards - here's a pic of me on my skiff at the ramp - along with a critter I see most every day - and NO it's not a 'gator... (couldn't resist....).

Depends, some times on pocket or neck knives to gain purchase.
Never use the loop. Only the short braided kind.

lemaymiami said:

Came back to this thread and learned a bit... To expand on what I had to say about lanyards - here's a pic of me on my skiff at the ramp - along with a critter I see most every day - and NO it's not a 'gator... (couldn't resist....).
View attachment 962198

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North American Croc?

The correct name is American saltwater crocodile... The biologists tell us it’s a fish eater, but I have seen them up to 16’ feet long and doubt the scientists have ever had a really big specimen to study in the wild....

I tell my anglers that a big bull ‘gator is the animal to stay away from, period. Every year or two someone here in Florida is either hurt badly or killed by a big ‘gator... Dangerous animal.

I got a deal with the Crocs, Snakes, and Bears, I won't bother them if the don't bother me

I like the looks of lanyards (leather ones) but I cannot say I actually use them, I do love the look of lanyard loops on the bottom of a Smith N frame though. While I don't have a lanyard on a knife for fishing a cheap neck knife works well for me

lemaymiami said:

Came back to this thread and learned a bit... To expand on what I had to say about lanyards - here's a pic of me on my skiff at the ramp - along with a critter I see most every day - and NO it's not a 'gator... (couldn't resist....).
View attachment 962198

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Nice looking boat!

Just a beat up old Maverick skiff that I put together 32 years ago now... In my ads I used to describe it as "custom rigged" (sounds better than "homemade"...). I've been working out of it since 1996 and actually tow it up and down my local highways about 20,000 miles a year... every year.

I'm a poster child for "Be careful what you wish for"....