Proper use of a lanyard.

[bootzon]

I searched and couldn't find any threads on this, so I thought I'd ask the members opinions on using lanyards properly.

I had an old cop show me years ago how he was trained to use a lanyard with a nightstick. I have used the same technique for knives and chopping tools since.
You hang the lanyard over your thumb and then wrap it around the back of your hand. Even with a loose grip on the tool, it locks it into your hand. No chance of it flying out of your hand, and no chance of it swinging uncontrolled like a pendulum back at your lower extremities. In a tactical situation, it keeps your adversary from pulling it out of your hand.

I see many references to "wrist lanyards". I see many pictures of supposedly knowledgeable people holding a knife or chopping tool with the lanyard around the wrist. That seems like a dangerous practice to me. Am I missing something?

 

[Bobby3326]

I've never liked wrist lanyards for that reason, if the knife happens to slip your grip you now have a blade that's no longer under your control and strapped to you...I use a simple pinky lanyard on most my blades, it's been working good for me.

 

[Butcher1]

I could see using a wrist lanyard if you are using a small knife somewhere that you wouldn't want to risk dropping it but not for a chopping knife

 

[Charlie Mike]

I use a lanyard as grip extension for the wave draw.

 

[Leftytwogunz]

I dont like anything dangling from any knife.

 

[Kwon Kwang]

I like lanyards on certain folders to help me get the knife out of my pocket a little easier. Generally speaking, not a fan of lanyards on fixed blades for the same reason Bobby stated.

 

[BitingSarcasm]

I used to use wrist lanyards for tools when I was working over people's heads, but that was courtesy to them and not for my safety. I would never swing a tool, bladed or otherwise, with one for the reasons stated above. If it was necessary, they got a longer leash that I tied off to my belt or any nearby support. The lanyard grip I like is to push the handle through the loop so that it is looped forward of my hand and resting on the back of the hand. With a little fine-tuning of length, you can have full range of motion yet completely release the knife without it moving or dropping.

 

[aranawhite]

Not proper "handling tech" but i use one when camping on a folder to keep it from loss & stays vertical in pocket doesn't sag. Looped to side belt loop.
Buy a fixed, i know; its practical & i had the lan loose.

 

[SmedleyButler]

I mainly use a lanyard so that I can conceal the knife better. Harder to spot than a pocket clip.

 

[onojoe]

I use a lanyard on my short handled knives to give me extra grip. I also use them on hunting knives, but more for the color so I can locate them if dropped

 

[Helleri]

I don't have lanyards on my knives. I have found that most of their supposed usefulness is actually novel at best and dangerous at worst. I have not found any advantage a lanyard can afford me, that can't be better afforded by simply being more responsible and attentive in using my knives.

 

[ocnLogan]

I searched and couldn't find any threads on this, so I thought I'd ask the members opinions on using lanyards properly.

I had an old cop show me years ago how he was trained to use a lanyard with a nightstick. I have used the same technique for knives and chopping tools since.
You hang the lanyard over your thumb and then wrap it around the back of your hand. Even with a loose grip on the tool, it locks it into your hand. No chance of it flying out of your hand, and no chance of it swinging uncontrolled like a pendulum back at your lower extremities. In a tactical situation, it keeps your adversary from pulling it out of your hand.

I see many references to "wrist lanyards". I see many pictures of supposedly knowledgeable people holding a knife or chopping tool with the lanyard around the wrist. That seems like a dangerous practice to me. Am I missing something?

I use the exact same method that you do. I only use it on large fixed blades that I may use for chopping.

With this method you get the lanyard wrapping around "pad" of your hand, which means that the knife can't slip out of your hands while chopping. With this method being so secure, I even "choke back" on the knife, using a three finger grip (if it has a rear flair on the handle like a Becker). This lets me effectively lengthen the blade, which makes it chop better.

Additionally, if you DO somehow lose control of the knife and it slips out of your hand, it swings away towards the back of your hand, which is usually away from your body. Also, the lanyard is much longer using this method, which means if its pinwheeling, its usually just dangling a few inches below your hand, rather than directly next to your wrist.

 

[Czechmate]

How about to keep track of your tactical comb (mine below ):

It seems much easier to find if I drop it too. :thumbup:


I like using lanyards on folders, and large choppers too but it's not a necessity for me unless it's a waved folder with a deep(ish) clip. :thumbup: Some of mine below:

 

[bootzon]

Thanks to everyone for some good responses.

Bobby, can you post a photo of the pinky lanyard? Never seen anybody use one or exactly what it looks like.

I would like to focus this thread on using lanyards to assist control and not for decorative purposes. All the cool ways you can tie paracord is a whole different subject.

 

[Bobby3326]

Thanks to everyone for some good responses.

Bobby, can you post a photo of the pinky lanyard? Never seen anybody use one or exactly what it looks like.

I would like to focus this thread on using lanyards to assist control and not for decorative purposes. All the cool ways you can tie paracord is a whole different subject.

Using it like this it also aids in fast snap chops, especially on a shorter blade you're choking down on.

 

[EChoil]

I use lanyards on fixed and folders. Definitely advantageous in handling the knives.

Most of my fixed blades get outdoor use so I rig the lanyard with a slipknot (or bead) to make the loop disappear when walking in brush, etc. Then a slip down to the end and I have a loop when I want it.

Two kinds of "loop": A thumb (or pinkie) loop and a wrist loop:

The "don't use a wrist loop" thing comes mostly from the tactical side--opponent gains control of knife, breaks holder's wrist. Wrist loops are very useful in certain situations--camp kitchen, the knife being held/used over water or chasm (mountain use), chopping (additional leverage). A halfway measure here is loop over the back of the hand, as Biting Sarcasm mentions above.

A thumb loop is perfect for general stuff when you want the knife extra-secure in hand (also useful in the situations I outline above) but a little less formal. It can be utilized to firm up the knife in your hand by putting a substantial forward pre-load into the grip. Also, the loop you'd use in a tactical situation, God forbid.

I drilled holes through the top of my Ka-Bar USMC and extended a continuous leather wrap of the handle up through the pommel of the knife forming a nice wrist loop rig (which also can be slipped down to thumb size) coming directly out of the top of the knife. Added amazing chopping leverage and put a different angle on the knife "hang" making it totally harmless in a drop-away situation.​

I find a wrist loop to be great on fixed blades for camp kitchen or minor knife chores, wherein you can release the knife, it hangs ready, then, if the loop is proper for your hand size, can be regained in grip immediately and continue work. Or when I'm standing in the middle of whitewater cleaning or unhooking a fish.

My folders are in para and (mostly) leather Reeve coils; some with a bead. Very helpful in removing from the pocket as mentioned already, and a good wave assist by basically creating a secure handle extension and greatly negating the chances of a fly-off. The extension allowed also applies on some cutting jobs where it is advantageous to choke down on the handle. The lanyard give you extra security in-hand.

My lanyards are wrapped by me and placed directly into the lanyard hole and tied, permanent applicaton, so to speak....not the pre-made ones that attach by carabiner or loop through themselves via the lanyard hole and remain quickly removeable.

I like lanyards. They can be decorative and customize the knife.

 

[Czechmate]

I would like to focus this thread on using lanyards to assist control and not for decorative purposes. All the cool ways you can tie paracord is a whole different subject.

The ones on my folders are for help on the draw; not just decoration. :thumbup:

For example; this short lanyard on my mariner was only for assisting on the draw as it adds extra purchase. The stainless scales are pretty slippery.

Or a few random ones here, all useful IMHO. :thumbup:

 

[SunOfAtom]

I searched and couldn't find any threads on this, so I thought I'd ask the members opinions on using lanyards properly.

I had an old cop show me years ago how he was trained to use a lanyard with a nightstick. I have used the same technique for knives and chopping tools since.
You hang the lanyard over your thumb and then wrap it around the back of your hand. Even with a loose grip on the tool, it locks it into your hand. No chance of it flying out of your hand, and no chance of it swinging uncontrolled like a pendulum back at your lower extremities. In a tactical situation, it keeps your adversary from pulling it out of your hand.

I see many references to "wrist lanyards". I see many pictures of supposedly knowledgeable people holding a knife or chopping tool with the lanyard around the wrist. That seems like a dangerous practice to me. Am I missing something?

Though I dislike lanyards for edc, I think both have their place. With items like machetes I use the style that goes around the back of my hand. It takes a little time to get it adjusted just right, but as you explained, once you do you have a very secure grip and the tendency for it to swing away from your body if you were to lose the grip.

On small pocket knives while camping or hiking, I like a lanyard I can loop around my wrist. If you have ever dropped a knife while standing in water, snow, or even leaves, you realize they can disappear quick! I also tend to loop the lanyard around a belt or belt loop and back through itself when not in use. That way if the knife gets bumped out of the pocket it just dangles by the lanyard. I have never been concerned that a folder could swing around on this type of lanyard and do any real damage to me.

 

[Lieblad]

Hmmm.
I always thought "lanyard" was for retention/attachment to one body somehow,
A "fob" simply to aid removing from ones pocket.

Then again. I dont speak english a native...

 

[Bobby3326]

Hmmm.
I always thought "lanyard" was for retention/attachment to one body somehow,
A "fob" simply to aid removing from ones pocket.

Then again. I dont speak english a native...

It's just one of use terms that gets thrown around, means one thing but is commonly understood even when used incorrectly.