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Lanyard Specifications, Options, & Accessories
Select a lanyard type that best fits your intended use: T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, T-FLY, Leads,  or Collars .
Then
personalize it by choosing General Options and
Accessories:
Call Loops, Snaps/Swivels, Compasses, Whistles, Counters, TBC Bird Carrier, and or Quail Call .    
Page updated 12/31/11
General Options:

Length: specify half length, the length from the back of the neck to the bottom of the swivels. Standard half length for whistle lanyards is 21"; however, some folk are shorter or taller than average and some prefer to wear their whistles lower or higher than average.  So tell me where you like to wear yours.   Make a loop of cord around your neck over the clothes you will be wearing afield so that the tip is where you want your whistle to hang.  Pinch it at that point and, without releasing it, remove the loop and measure the doubled up length, the "half length."  That is the number I need.   However, that number is not the only factor in lanyard design.  You must also have a headloop that can comfortably pass over your head in putting the lanyard on and off. 

 On T2 lanyards,  the slide knot, bottom knots, and swivel-clip combination in aggregate will consume about 3" of the half length.  The remaining length times two is the circumference of the headloop.  For example, a T2 with a 21" half length will have a headloop of about 36" when the slide is at the bottom (assuming there are no counters on the lanyard).   For most folk, 25 - 26" is about the minimum loop that will go over the head without glasses on.  So  1/2 (26"headloop) +  3" knots = 16" as a practical minimum half length. The addition of counters to a T2 lanyard increases the practical minimum  half length to about 18.5."   It is prudent to determine how small of a headloop you can pass over your head comfortably. 

For T2FL lanyards, specify the total half length, the loop size, and the drop length. The standard headloop circumference of  30" contribute 15" to the half length.  The main knot is 0.75 to 1.0".    On a T2FL lanyard with one brass counter on the drop, the practical minimum length below the headloop  is 4.5":  0.75" for the main knot; 0.25" space below it; 2" for the counter and flanking knots; 0.25" space; and 1.25" for the bottom knot and swivel. Therefore, if you considered a 28" headloop to be the minimum that you could comfortably put on or take off over your head, the minimum half length would be 14" +  4.5" = 18.5" for a T2FL lanyard with one brass counter on the drop.  Again, it is prudent to determine how small of a headloop you can pass over your head comfortably. 

On T3 Leash Lanyards, the standard leash length  is 32," and the standard handloop length is 5 1/2".  The resulting lanyard mode "half length" (analogous) is approximately 21."  T3 Leash Lanyard design assumes that the headloop will be opened with the bolt snap before putting it on or removing it. 

The typical half length of T-Fly fly fishing lanyards is about 17" +/- (but measure where you want the points of attachment, to be, on both the bottom and the sides!). 

Color of the lanyard and accents (if desired): Standard color is tan. Some folk seem to think that tan is the natural color of leather. It is probably most common,  but "natural" is a light cream color.   Subject to availability, colors include white, natural, chocolate/brown, burgundy, forest green, red, and black.  For the lanyard body, you may choose a solid color  or  a combination of two colors (e.g., black/natural, black/tan, chocolate/natural, or tan/natural --- or the reverse of these). Variegation in the lanyard may be complete (i.e. half and half) or partial (i.e., 2/8 or 1/8). The 2/8 accent pattern may be slashes // or chevrons \/. For the knots, choose a solid color or choose a combination of two colors  to compliment the lanyard color. That is, a lanyard might have knots of the same color as the lanyard, knots of the lanyard color plus a lighter or darker accent, or solid colored knots of a second color.

Snaps and Swivels:   Nickel steel swivels  with McMahon scissor snaps (near right) are standard. Brass swivels (2nd picture) are usually used with the brass package (compass and counters).  Microclips (3rd picture) and Miniclips from Berkeley Point are available on either swivel, $5 each in stainless steel or $10 each in titanium.  2" stainless steel gate snaps (far right) may be used on the bottom of fly fishing lanyards rather than rings, $15 each, or in titanium, $35. 

Lanyard Types:
t1mesq.jpg (85723 bytes)T1 lanyards. I am not currently taking orders for T1 lanyards. T1 lanyards are 4X plaits of 1/8" kangaroo leather with a nylon twine core. The nominal diameter is 5/32".  The standard half length is 21" to the bottom of the whistle snaps. Select the slide: braided knot, or mesquite knot or antler. Select two snaps, one snap and a tassel, or a fixed loop with a braided knot and drop with one snap. A second accent color may be selected for the lanyard and braided knots. A call loop may be added. Plastic flush counters can be added. 
T2 lanyards and their options.

Lanyards in the T2 family  (T2, T2FL, T2P2, etc.) feature kangaroo leather braided over nylon cores. The nominal diameter of a T2 lanyard is 1/4", and that of  a T2P2 lanyard is 3/16".  A T2 may be had with two snaps, one snap and a tassel, or with a fixed loop and drop with one snap (T2FL).

Flat Neck, FN, Option: T2 and T2FL lanyards may be had with a flat braided neck portion, and thus equipped, they are designated as T2FN, T2FN-C (continuous bottom loop), or T2FLFN.

Continuous-Bottom-Loops may be had on T2 and T2FN lanyards.  On T2 lanyards, the joining knot is at the back of the neck.

Slide stopper knots, placed at the points of the collarbone, are functional in that they establish a minimum loop on a T2 lanyard by stopping the slide.  These knots are also decorative and, in fact, are frequently ordered on T2FL lanyards were there is no slide to stop.

Slides are normally braided knots, but on T2P2 lanyards slides of wood or antler can be had as an extra cost option. 

Call loops (duck, goose, turkey, quail, crow, predator, etc.)  may be permanently fixed on the legs of T2 lanyards or on the drop of  T2FL lanyards and additional  permanently fixed call loops may be added to the cheeks of these lanyards.  Such lanyards with permanently fixed call loops are designated T2CL or T2FLCL.  Short detachable call loops may be attached to the whistle clips on T2, T2FL, T3, and T4  lanyards.  Long detachable call loops may be attached to dee rings installed at the stopper knots on the lanyard cheeks. Detachable Double Call loops may be attached to T2, T2FL, T3, T3M, and T4  lanyards.  See examples of detachable call loops on the T2  and T3 pages.

T3BlkTanKBrass.jpg (24062 bytes)T3 Leash/Lanyards.

Worn around the neck with the 1/2" bolt snap fastened in the small loop, the T3 Leash/Lanyard is a whistle lanyard, but it opens to provide a tough 32" leash (traffic lead) when leaving the bird field.  For T3 (1/4" diameter and a 1/2" bolt snap) and T3M (5/16" diameter and 3/4" Loc-Jaw®  snap) select the color and accents (if desired) as described under General Options. Standard length has a 5.5" handloop and opens to produce a 32" lead. In the "lanyard" mode, the whistle hangs a bit lower than those on a T2 lanyard, i.e., not quite a 22" half length.  The weight of the 1/2' bolt snap is 3/4 oz.  Flush counters can be added to T3 leash lanyards, but counters do not fit on the T3M because of the larger diameter. Extra swivels and whistle snaps  can be added for consideration.  A compass can be added to either as can a Detachable Double Call Loop.  
A
T3 leash lanyard with a brass compass, two brass counters, brass swivel, and brass whistle is designated as a T3SSM.

t4.jpg (36662 bytes)T4 Lead/Lanyards.

Select either the standard traffic lead version or the "S" version and the braid and knot color and accents (if desired) as below under General Options. Standard head loop is 29."  Standard handloop is 5.5"  The half length in the lanyard mode is  about 22."   Extra whistle snaps, flush counters, and or a compass can be added for consideration.

T5 Pistol/Transmitter/Rangefinder Lanyards

Approximately 58"long, 1/4" diameter, worn over the left shoulder with a ring on one end and a MiniClip or MicroClip on the other to carry a transmitter or rangefinder on the right side just above the belt. A whistle drop with snap swivel can be added so that it hangs just to the right of the left shirt pocket ($50).  Pistol lanyards typically have a 48" headloop, a 10" drop and a swivel with a MicroClip.

t2flybt.jpg (58717 bytes)T-FLY Fly Fishing Lanyards.

T-Fly Lanyards have  herringbone braided kangaroo lace over a nylon cord core, approximately 1/4" diameter.  As described under General Options,  select the color of the braid and knots and accents (if any) in both.  Specify the half length, i.e., length from the back of the neck to the bottom of the ring or snap.  Typical lengths are 16.5" - 18".   Specify micro- or miniclips or combination of the two. Standard price assumes 4 stainless steel clips, mini- or micro-.   Specify a ring at the bottom (standard)  or a gate snap .  Other options include having a drop between the main knot and the ring ($30), having a flat neck braid ($100), and having one or more pigtails with alligator clips ($35). Examples of these options on lanyards are shown on the T-Fly page.

TL and TLS Leads

Select the color(s) as described under General Options.. Standard TL length is 36"; for longer lengths, add $35 per foot, for shorter lengths call. A bronze ring in the handloop is standard on the TL but can be omitted. An optional sliding bronze ring and sliding adjustment knot can make the TL a slip loop lead. TLS slip leads are typically 42" from the back of the handloop to the ring that forms the slip noose.

TC and TCF Collars

TC and TCF Collars can be had in the color combinations described in General Options.  Give the minimum (firm but not excessively tight!) measurement of the dog's neck. The collar will be made to the right size to wear comfortably without slipping over the head. Brass name plates may be had with 1-3 lines of text, $40.

 Wildrags for Bird Hunters  Keep your neck warm and maximize your visibility while bird hunting.
Hunter Orange Silk, 36" square, with embroidered logo and braided knot slide.  Choose the color scheme of the knot.  Modeled at right by Edward Erickson, Autumn Breeze Kennel.      Order.
Accessories:
The SSM Package: Collectively,  a brass compass, two brass counters, brass swivel(s), and a brass whistle are called "The SSM Package" because it evolved from a review and ads in Shooting Sportsman Magazine .  Specifying "SSM" is analogous to saying "all the way" when ordering a baked potato at Spring Creek, our local BBQ restaurant.  Lanyards with this group of accessories have the SSM suffix, e.g., T3 SSM or T2 SSM, etc.  These accessories are discussed individually below.
Compasses: I recommend the Tru-Nord Compasses. Their quality, performance, and guarantee make them a much better buy even at a higher price.  Use the links to the two compass web pages to compare the two products:  

Tru-Nord Compass,  Made in MN, USA,  it comes with a lifetime warranty.   Tru-Nord Compasses, shown in the in the picture to the right, are available in brass or black, are undamped, and are ordered pre-adjusted to compensate for the magnetic declination in your region (see the magnetic declination map).  See How to Use Your Tru-Nord Compass

Marble's Compasses, current version shown  in the picture to the right, are not your grandfather's Marble's compass!   They are currently "handcrafted in China"(?),  with an oil-filled (damped), drop-in, plastic module under a brass bezel.  Exposed to wide temperature variances, these modules tend to develop bubbles in the oil that render them useless.  One can screw off the bezel and replace the module with that from another compass, but Murphy's Laws predict you will discover it does not work when you need it most.

The prices quoted on the Order Page  include the cost of obtaining the compass, altering the attachment, and installing it in the lanyard (compasses are sold only on products).   Either of these compasses can be installed in the fixed knots on T2FL (one or two drops), T3, T3M, or T4 products for the prices shown.  The Tru-Nord Compass can be inserted into T2 or T4 slides for the price shown, but there is an additional $35 charge to insert a Marble's Compass in a T2 or T4 slide. As shown at right, the "pocket" Model 100C Tru-Nord Compass    can be attached to clips on lanyards using a knot around the compass and a split or dee ring.  See Extras for an example of these.  And the backsides of pocket compasses can be engraved.  Compass weight is ~1/2 Oz.  

At right, Acme Brass Whistles (60 1/2) with my logo as shown near right, $30 installed; 
With initials engraved on one cheek, $50, on both cheeks, $70, as show far right.

If requested, Black Whistle Tip Guards for these whistles are installed at no extra cost.

 

And of course, one can select other things to be engraved on whistle cheeks by John Towarnicki.  The price will depend on the time required.

Brass Flush Counters enable you to tally flushes of grouse, woodcock, coveys of quail, etc., for later transfer into your Waterproof Outdoor Journal or  Classic Hunting Journal and, by doing so, record the bird contacts each dog had, the productivity of various coverts, etc., on a particular day.  One or more Brass Flush Counters can be installed on T2, T3, and T4 lanyards during production at $75 each (price includes the cost of the counter and installation). Counters are only sold installed on lanyards or drops. Counters may be added to lanyards I have made (e.g., new installation or replacement for plastic counters) provided the lanyard diameter is not greater than 1/4".  Price is the cost of the counters plus consideration for the knots that must be removed and reconstructed to make the installation.  
The weight of a brass counter is 1/2 oz;

 

At left is a drop with a brass counter and Marble's compass, $220. A double counter drop with 2 brass counters (no compass) is $230   (plus shipping).   NOTE:  Having one of my lanyards is a  prerequisite for getting a drop with a brass counter.

Bird Carrier, TBC,  six drops, ~ 6" long from the bottom of the 1/2" eye on a  2 1/2" long bolt snap to the bottom of the  loops.
See Extras and Prices.
Bobwhite Quail Call (by Thomas Game Calls) with dee ring attachment and braided  knot to match your lanyard, $50.  To use, place your upper lip in the depression on the side with the larger hole and your bottom lip below the rim of the call.  Inhale to produce the "where 'yee" call of bobwhites trying to regroup.  Click to open a copy of these instructions you can download:  Quail Call Use.
The above are the "standard options." If you have questions about these options,  please send me an email lsmith@knotsmith.com  and include "lanyard" in the Subject line so that I will recognize that it is not junk mail. 

When placing an order, please give the specifications of your order (lanyard or lanyard types, size and color specifications, accessories, etc.).  Please clearly list your name, telephone number, email address, and shipping address.  You may send your check or money order (or Visa or Master Card information) by regular mail. Credit card information may be communicated by telephone, but do not send it via email.
Larry Smith

KNOTSMITH
Larry Smith
PO Box 830219
Richardson, TX 75083-0219
(214) 893-9003;  Email: lsmith@knotsmith.com
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