Whats the point of a lanyard?

T

The_Guide

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Feb 1, 2009
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I see them all the time, but I just cant figure out what the point of them is. Would someone care to enlighten me on the subject?

The_Guide :cool:
 
1) to keep from dropping it
2) more grip (or extend the handle if its shorter on folders)
3) an extra tie to secure the knife to something
those are just three that i can think up
ivan
 
It depends on whether you are talking about a lanyard or a fob. A lanyard is a length of line used to attach an object such as a knife to something else such as your belt in order to prevent the loss of said object should it be dropped. They are quite useful when working at altitude or over water, where a dropped knife may injure someone below or result in an unrecoverable loss.

A fob is a short length of line, often decoratively knotted. It can make a knife easier to find in your pocket, aid in drawing the knife from your pocket and effectively lengthen a short handle to make it easier to grip. The confusing part is people usually refer to these as lanyards instead of fobs.
 
When tied the right way lanyard cords are considered part of your survival gear. For example if tied for that purpose you could always have a convenient 10 to 25 feet of emergency para cord on hand available to you should the need arise for shelter, or splints for a broken limb, a skid to pull a buddy out on that got hurt on the trail and many other things. Their original intent was purposeful. Survival bracelets as they are referred to also offer extra convenietly packed and stowed cord for a situation where its needed. I even knew one individual that wore a double belt where he had his regular leather belt and yet another para cord braided cord belt that snapped right over top the first one nice and neat just for his hikes and hunting/fishing trips.

I've seen him come back to the camps we set up a time or two back when I knew him where some of that cord came in handy for a stringer to carry his fish because he either lost or forgot his regular one and one other time when he used it to make a skid to pull his white tail back out of the woods to the camp by strapping young saplings together with it. Now a days of course folks carry lanyards more for decoration on their pocket jewelry a/k/a high art folding knives and other little tools but most of the time the 'real' lanyards had some length to them for a reason for those that didn't lose sight of the many and varied purposeful intents behind the idea besides just keeping the knife attached to your hand.

STR
 
I think some people get used to fobs as an aid in presenting tip-up knives. They grasp the knife relatively shallowly, and hold the fob with their little finger as they open the knife.
 
I have heard the term fob plenty of times, and excuse my noob question, but what the hell does it stand for.
 
I'm not a huge fan of lanyards, especially on folders, but I will put one on if I am fishing from a boat.

Nothing can ruin a trip faster than hearing "splash" with a valued knife! :eek:
 
I have one on my key chain and phone.

I can get them easier out of my pocket.
I have more grip when using them.

And some people put a lanyard with bright colours on a knife, to find it easier if they drop the knife in the woods.
 
dbltap45acp said:
I have heard the term fob plenty of times, and excuse my noob question, but what the hell does it stand for.
Click to expand...

It doesn't stand for anything... here's a dictionary definition

A little pocket, near the waistline of a pair of trousers, or in a waistcoat, to hold a watch.
A short chain or ribbon to connect such a pocket to the watch.
A small ornament attached to such a chain.
A hand-held remote control device used to lock/unlock motor cars etc
 
They help me with the wave draw. 2/3 of my grip is on the lanyard, keeps the knife from flying out of my hand as it flies out of my pocket.
 
yablanowitz said:
It depends on whether you are talking about a lanyard or a fob. A lanyard is a length of line used to attach an object such as a knife to something else such as your belt in order to prevent the loss of said object should it be dropped. They are quite useful when working at altitude or over water, where a dropped knife may injure someone below or result in an unrecoverable loss.

A fob is a short length of line, often decoratively knotted. It can make a knife easier to find in your pocket, aid in drawing the knife from your pocket and effectively lengthen a short handle to make it easier to grip. The confusing part is people usually refer to these as lanyards instead of fobs.
Click to expand...

I do not know if it is a lanyard or a fob, but ...

A small loop that goes round my wrist, which prevents loss by dropping, and it makes it easier to pull out my pocket.
I also clip it to a shackle on my belt.
I often use the ones you get with cell phones.


I find the most useful length of a lanyard is from my belt to where my hand is when straight down by my leg.
I can drop the knife and then reach my hand down to pick up the knife.
This length is also long enough to use the knife naturally in front of me.
 
AT one time in our past a Fob was a small chain or braided leather line attached to a pocket watch that allowed easier access to the watch. Sometimes, the chain had a small length of Gold or Silver rod to hold the Fob/chain/braided line attached to a vest button hole for decoration ornament. This word or phrase passed from use with the popularity of the wrist watch. I read about the use of a Fob for a knife attachment in Blade magazine several years ago.

RKH
 
I use them to pull the knife out of the sheath easier.....also, when field dressing an animal, rather than putting the knife down everytime you need to use both hands, just let it drop while it's wrapped around your wrist...and you won't forget where you put it down...I forget things like that....
 
I like and use both. I have a large hand, the fob helps with grip. I like the simple stuff though. No fancy knots or skulls (hate that look actually).
 
It is a little something I can do to make it mine, to make it unique from the rest! :thumbup::D
 
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