Let's See Some Lanyard Technique

[Guyon]

Here's a very simply pinkie lanyard that prevents the hand from slipping down onto the blade. The knife is a 3.5" Laconico bushcraft/utility.

Anyone else like lanyards? Or have techniques/positions they want to show off?

 

[Jaiofspam]

for my folders and small belt knives i do pinky and ring finger lanyards

 

[TheGame]

On my choppers I keep an oversized lanyard that I put around 2 of my fingers and wrap it around my hand. My hand won't slip up on the blade and it won't fly out of my hand.

 

[DOC-CANADA]

Hey Guyon,

I have a couple of knives set up the same way, for the same reasons:

The other lanyard I really like is this one:

The beauty of this lanyard is by undoing 1 loop, the whole 4-1/2 feet unravel like a daisy chain, to provide cordage for bow drill, shelter lashing, etc.

Doc

 

[fujita yuji]

Here's a very simply pinkie lanyard that prevents the hand from slipping down onto the blade. The knife is a 3.5" Laconico bushcraft/utility.

Anyone else like lanyards? Or have techniques/positions they want to show off?

The lanyard shown in this pic serves similar way you mentioned in your O.P., Guyon.

The cord lock is to adjust the loop size for glove or the number of fingers.

 

[nemoaz]

May I ask, do you make a habit of having your thumb on the spine like that? Why?

I recommend Mors Kochanski's Bushcraft book to you. It has a whole chapter on knifecraft and a pretty good explanation of proper knife handling of all sorts, including why you don't hold your knife like that.

 

[fugawee]

I think he was just showing
off his manicure.

 

[Joben]

May I ask, do you make a habit of having your thumb on the spine like that? Why?

I recommend Mors Kochanski's Bushcraft book to you. It has a whole chapter on knifecraft and a pretty good explanation of proper knife handling of all sorts, including why you don't hold your knife like that.

What's the gist of that reason?

...a lot of knives have jimping or thumb ramps right there just for that purpose.

 

[Stickman]

I have Kochanski's book, as well as some of the other bushcraft standards, but I don't recommend blindly following all of any of these author's opinions...using the thumb or finger on the spine has useful applications, if it works for you, use it.

 

[nemoaz]

Because man has an thumb. Perhaps is it an opposable thumb, or perhaps I'm misspelling it.

It's the strongest grip which makes it the surest grip so that the knife doesn't start going in some direction other than the way you intended. The strongest grip also allows you to apply more force, perhaps cutting throw instead of deflecting. It also forces you to use those bigger muscles (especially when you lock your wrist) as opposed to using the smaller muscles in your wrist or thumb.

And because my granpappy said so. Perhaps he was related to Kochanski's granpappy, but I doubt it. We're not Swedes afterall.

But I don't feel that strongly about it and probably shouldn't have hijacked for this rabbit trail.

Back to the lanyard topic in 3, 2, 1...

 

[raylaconico]

May I ask, do you make a habit of having your thumb on the spine like that? Why?

I recommend Mors Kochanski's Bushcraft book to you. It has a whole chapter on knifecraft and a pretty good explanation of proper knife handling of all sorts, including why you don't hold your knife like that.

I also use this type of hold quite often. I believe in doing things the way we are comfortable doing them. You should listen to advice with an open mind but if it doesn't work for you don't follow it. What's proper knife handling in that book is just the author's opinion. If it works for you then use it.

 

[Guyon]

May I ask, do you make a habit of having your thumb on the spine like that? Why?

I recommend Mors Kochanski's Bushcraft book to you. It has a whole chapter on knifecraft and a pretty good explanation of proper knife handling of all sorts, including why you don't hold your knife like that.

Pray tell... why not?

Old Mors aside, I've been handling knives since I was about eight years old, and I think I've got a handle (rimshot please ) on what works well for me.

I was mainly just trying to show off the lanyard. However, I do use that grip from time to time for controlled cuts. :thumbup:

 

[Guyon]

Because man has an thumb. Perhaps is it an opposable thumb, or perhaps I'm misspelling it.

It's the strongest grip which makes it the surest grip so that the knife doesn't start going in some direction other than the way you intended. The strongest grip also allows you to apply more force, perhaps cutting throw instead of deflecting. It also forces you to use those bigger muscles (especially when you lock your wrist) as opposed to using the smaller muscles in your wrist or thumb.

And because my granpappy said so. Perhaps he was related to Kochanski's granpappy, but I doubt it. We're not Swedes afterall.

But I don't feel that strongly about it and probably shouldn't have hijacked for this rabbit trail.

Back to the lanyard topic in 3, 2, 1...

I see you already responded.

Depends on context. If I'm just making fuzz sticks in soft wood, I like the thumb on the back for a more controlled feel.

If I'm putting considerable force into a cut, I wrap my thumb around the handle.

Different strokes for different folks. But also different strokes for different jobs. :thumbup:

fug, check out this manicure!!!