Whats the purpose of a landyard?

Nismo

Nismo

Joined
Jun 27, 2002
Messages
323
sorry this will sound dumb.

Anyways, Ive always thought a landyard on a knife was so that you can wrap it around your wrists to retain it incase if you drop it ect(thats what I use mine for on my strider at least) until I seen pics of these landyards that look just like 5" piece of material with beads dangling off knives, sheaths, ect which I see no purpose other than look neat. So whats the real function of these things besides looks? What were they originally designed for?
 
I normally remove the clips from my folders. For this reason, I use lanyards (which I make myself) to securely attach my knives to a beltloop. My lanyards have a small carabiner on one end (the beltloop end) and a swivel clip on the other end (which clips to a splitring run through the knife's lanyard hole). Works great.
 
yea, Ive been thinking and that sounds reasonable, have the folder in your pocket and let the landyard hang out of the pocket and when its time to cut something, simply pull the landyard and out comes the folder.
 
I think that there's also the idea that on a short handled knife a short lanyard almost makes the handle longer and gives your pinky something to grab on to.

Along those ame lines I think that there is also the idea that a short lanyard might give you one last chance for something to grab on to if the knife starts to slip from your hand.

I don't use a lanyard at all. I really haven't experimented with them at all yet either, so when I do, I may find that they're much more helpful than I imagine.

-John
 
I generally don't like them. However, I've put brightly colored ones on the items in my survival kits. This helps me locate them when dropped, attach them to a small utility biner in the kit for easy carrying as needed when using the kit and so on. Plus, it gives me a way to carry extra cordage for the kit.

Phil
 
I think the main alternate uses have been covered so, I'm not sure I have much to add. Puting a Glowring or coiled length of rope/string on a folder in your pocket makes it easier to find and pull out of a heavily loaded pocket. I avoid short handled knives but, this deficiency can be partially overcome in my experience with a good heavy lanyard.

Finally, there is the non-functional, decorative only use ;)
 
I've grown to really like lanyards, especially the coil knot that CRK uses. It's a great way to get a little extra grip on a short knife, especially when drawing from a pocket. The reason I like the coil knot so much is that it gives a short lanyard when tied, but it's easily untied and made into a loop long enough to put around your wrist. That way it's provides a little extra grip and is short enough not to get in the way when tied, but also give you the option of using it untied as a wrist loop in situations where you may be likely to drop it.
 
I like lanyards/fobs, they can improve the grip, prevent loss, help to take out of pocket or pouch, allow you to hang the knife on a nail, or around the neck, they look nice too.
 
A very pratical use is to get your knife into your hand and to keep it there.

If you experiment with the landyard you can pull the blade from deep in your pocket, swing it open and around the back of your hand into your palm. It take a little practice and work with most knives. I would suggest al mar eagles as being a great knife to use in this manner. A long slim design works very well. A dummy knife should always be used to learn and never a sharp.

I have seen the knife swung open and into a target with good results. Remember this is an inherently dangerous move.

Its important that the knife swings taunt so the blade is under control.
 
I use a "fob", the hangman's noose, CRK coil knot, whatever name you want to give it, on my BM520. At work, I frequently wear thin leather work gloves or welding gloves that make it hard to get a hold on the knife itself, as it rides very low in the pocket. The fob lets me pop it right out.
Sometimes use a lanyard to tie a knife or flashlight off to a belt loop, so I don't worry about losing it.
My Surefire Z3 came with a lanyard that is very handy. It adjusts to fit your wrist, and I've got paracord "wrist loops" on a couple of knives, too. I like being able to let go of the knife or flashlight while I do something else, and still have it ready to go a second later when I'm done.
 
It's kind of been touched upon, but in addition to the obvious uses--retention, drawing-aid, attachment point, etc.--a well-chosen lanyard knot (i.e. box-stitch/square-knot-sinnet, coil/noose knot, etc.) will give you a nice length of emergency/utility line in a pinch.
 
Just remember that what makes the knife easier for you to draw and use will make it easier for an attacker to snatch as well.

:)

Just something to keep in-mind, not an attack on anything or anyone.

:)

Me? I love lanyards, although I don't always use them.

:)

Allen
aka DumboRAT
 
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