How to Add a Lanyard to Any Folding Knife (Step-by-Step Guide)

Adding a lanyard to your folding knife is one of those simple upgrades that makes a surprising difference. It makes your knife easier to retrieve from deep pockets, improves your grip during use, and — let's be honest — looks really good. The whole process takes about two minutes once you have the right lanyard.

Here's everything you need to know.

Step 1: Find the Lanyard Hole on Your Knife

Most modern folding knives have a lanyard hole drilled through the butt of the handle — it's typically a small round hole, 3–5mm in diameter, at the bottom opposite the blade. Common knives with lanyard holes include the Benchmade Bugout, Spyderco Para 3, CRKT Minimalist, and dozens more.

Don't see a hole? Some knives don't have one. In that case, you can attach a lanyard to a pocket clip screw, a backspacer hole, or use a knife nub — a small bead or attachment designed specifically for knives without a traditional tang hole.

Step 2: Choose Your Lanyard

Pick a lanyard that fits your knife and carry style:

• Paracord lanyards — rugged, colorful, great for outdoor and tactical carry
• Leather lanyards — refined, slim, ages beautifully with daily carry
• Mini cord lanyards — low-profile option for knives with small lanyard holes or tight pocket carry

All Tang Danglers lanyards are pre-finished with a loop at one end specifically designed for easy attachment through a lanyard hole.

Step 3: Thread the Lanyard (Larks Head Knot)

The most common and secure attachment method is a larks head knot (also called a cow hitch). Here's how:

1. Fold your lanyard in half so you have a loop at one end
2. Push the loop through the lanyard hole from one side
3. Pass the rest of the lanyard (bead end) through the loop you just pushed through
4. Pull snug — the knot tightens against the handle

That's it. The larks head is self-tightening and very secure. It won't slip under normal use, but you can easily remove it if you want to swap lanyards.

Step 4: Adjust the Drop Length

Most EDC knife lanyards hang about 1.5–3 inches below the handle. The ideal length lets the lanyard hang out of your pocket just enough to grab it without being so long it flops around. Personal preference matters here — longer drops are easier to grab, shorter drops are more discreet.

At Tang Danglers, our standard lanyards are sized for comfortable EDC carry right out of the box.

Why Bother With a Lanyard at All?

Good question. Here are the real-world benefits:

• Faster retrieval: Instead of digging for your knife, you grab the lanyard bead and pull. One motion.
• Better grip: Wrapping the lanyard around your pinky finger while holding the knife adds security during heavy cutting tasks.
• Prevents drops: Drop your knife off a dock, over a railing, or out of a tree stand? A wrist loop adds insurance.
• Personalization: Your EDC reflects who you are. A quality lanyard with a handmade bead turns a production knife into something that feels like yours.

Tips for a Clean, Secure Setup

• If your lanyard feels loose, re-seat the larks head knot — make sure it's fully cinched before the first carry
• For mini cord lanyards on very small holes, a pair of tweezers or a loop of dental floss can help thread the cord through
• Leather lanyards may feel stiff initially — they soften and conform with daily carry
• Want a wrist loop option? Some of our paracord lanyards are long enough to loop around the wrist for fieldwork

Frequently Asked Questions

What knot do you use to attach a knife lanyard?

The larks head knot (also called a cow hitch) is the standard. Fold the lanyard in half to create a loop, push the loop through the tang hole, pass the bead end through the loop, and pull snug. It's self-tightening and won't slip under normal use — and you can remove it in seconds when you want to swap lanyards.

How long should a knife lanyard be?

Most EDC knife lanyards hang 1.5–3 inches below the handle. Long enough to grab confidently out of a pocket, short enough not to flop around or get caught on anything. Personal preference matters — some carries benefit from a longer drop, especially for deep-pocket knives.

What if my knife doesn't have a lanyard hole?

Attach the lanyard to a pocket clip screw, a backspacer hole, or use a knife nub — a small bead attachment designed specifically for knives without a traditional tang hole. Knife nubs work on nearly any folding knife.

Can I remove a knife lanyard after attaching it?

Yes. The larks head knot is secure but not permanent. Loosen the loop and slide the lanyard back out through the tang hole. This makes it easy to swap lanyards, clean the knife, or try a different style whenever you want.

Why should I put a lanyard on my EDC knife?

Three main reasons: faster pocket retrieval (grab the bead and pull in one motion), better grip during heavy cutting tasks when looped around the pinky, and personalization — a handmade lanyard with a unique bead turns a production knife into something that feels genuinely yours.

Will a lanyard work on a mini or ultralight knife?

Yes, as long as the knife has a tang hole. For very slim knives (like the Kershaw Leek or CRKT Minimalist), choose a mini cord lanyard or slim paracord lanyard with a small bead to keep the proportions balanced.