Who You Calling a Dummy?!

[Pilgrim52]

In a post in Wilderness Survival, Prairies mentioned having a dummy cord on his SAK. For those unfamiliar with the term, it's a military expression refering to a lanyard used to prevent loss of something valuable normally carried on one's person. Pistols, rifles, keys, and wallets are probably the most often dummy corded. Zippo lighters, map cases, compasses, codebooks, and radios are also sometimes tied to one's self. After losing too many pocket knives, I decided to only buy knives with tiedown loops and made it a habit to tie my SAK to myself, but it got to be something of a hassle even though it accomplished it's purpose. It would slide out of my pocket and dangle, the cord would sometimes catch on things, etc. Now I use a custom parachute webbing belt sheath which I made to be a tight fit and a bright orange and white 550 cord round braid 1/2in by 4in on the knife's attachment point to make it more visible should my knife and I make an unplanned separation. (It hasn't done so in some 30 years) The braid has a tiny metal clip on the end so I can secure it under special circumstances, (rappelling, parachuting, etc) though I would not call that a dummy cord. I also tie my compass to me when in the wild places, when it's not looped around my neck.
I admit to being curious as to how many forum members use dummy cords/lanyards, what you use them on, and under what circumstances. Anyone care to share?

[jpatm2]

I have used a dummy cord for a couple things, my flashlight comes to mind immediately. I have it dummy corded to its pouch via a small d-ring. That way I can take it off, but it won't fall out accidently.

[MosinNagant]

On my (for me) larger knives that I carry on a belt sheath or sometimes a hip holster, I have a little storage pouch or two. I usually have a sharpening stone, a metal match, and a small flashlight in the pouches. When carried this way I always have a small, short cord that connects these smaller items securly to the sheath, even though the pockets have velcro covers. Redundancy. If i need to quickly pull out anything in that sheath it will be the larger knife. All the other items can be taken out under normal circumstances usually so the cord attachment is not a hassle.

I had a velcro cover get snagged on a stick and open. Nothing fell out that time but it made me add the short cords and tuck them in, so they dont snag either. I have started to think of using some very thin stainless steel cable instead. Working on how to attach still.

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[prairies]

As mentioned, I carry my little swiss tinker knife on para-cord, and the way I misplace keys it is a dummy cord! It has many uses other than just to keep the knife around.( especially in those slant pocket duty pants that drops pocket knives into seat cushions!)

Thought I'd add some Info for fun:

First of all, it is an extra small hunk of para cord to be used for a variety of things and is easily replaced.

The second reason for the cord and probably the main carry and fun reason is for knot tying. I like to keep up on knots and it is a good " keeping the hands busy" thing. Instead of reading a magazine or looking at the wall while waiting somewhere, I pull out the cord, drop the knife off and practice some knots, or use the ring that holds the knot to tie anchor knots.

It comes in especially handy in the man chair situated outside the ladies dressing room while I am sitting there waiting on my wife and daughter to try stuff on. It adds some form of manliness to the purse holding!! OR at least that is what I tell myself.

[Sur-Sol]

One of the first things that I was taught regarding handling a knife was to smear vaseline all over the handle. It didn't take long to learn appreciation for the use of a properly sized lanyard. There's nothing like keeping your friends close at hand and your blades even closer.