My newly invented paracord wrap: "the Subhilt Wrap"

[res1cue]

Howdy guys, so this is a new type of paracord wrap for fixed blade knives (as well as machetes and tomahawks). I have been working on perfecting it for a while, and I feel like it is ready for feedback.

Most likely something like this already exists, but I really tried hard to find something like it without success.

Among my friends, we have been calling the "subhilt wrap". It is a bit of a misnomer actually, because it is more of a fingerloop than a subhilt. It feels a lot like a subhilt though.

Basically, it is a single piece of paracord with an integrated finger loop for the index finger. For tomahawks, and machetes, and large choppers it can be placed on the side (closer to the base of the finger for better grip)


Or placed along the front edge of the handle (accomodates different types of grips)



With this, I have stabbed the CS Spike (pictured above) full force into plywood. Being notorious for having no sort guard whatsoever, you would be insane to try it without this.

I have also chopped with machetes, tomahawks and larger knives, and it is very comfortable.



The finger hole is also adjustable, and can be made bigger or smaller in seconds.

Here is a video showing how it works, and if anybody out there tries it, any and all feedback would be much appreciated. (In the process of moving, and as soon as I get settled, I'll make a hard-use video)

http://youtu.be/qWK9PfQTdSc


One last note: it is really simple to acquire the grip when accessing a sheathed knife. Also, if you decided on any particular occasion not to use the grip, just grip around it like you normally would, and the finger-loop just collapses

PS: I apologize in advance for my poor video skills

[azrael99]

that neat, i actually like it and i have paracord laying around, i gonna give it a trie

[BullOnParade]

Also going to give this one a try. The actual wrap on the handle isn't too original, at least it looks like something I've done before, but the finger loop (maybe*) is a good idea.

*I'll post some feedback after I try it out myself.

[res1cue]

Also going to give this one a try. The actual wrap on the handle isn't too original, at least it looks like something I've done before, but the finger loop (maybe*) is a good idea.

*I'll post some feedback after I try it out myself.

Let me know what you guys think of it once you try it!

And no, the actual wrap is not original at all, it is the basic widgy bar wrap. What I am claiming as original is just the fingerloop part

[foghern]

Tagged for later

[offcamber]

Please don't take this the wrong way, but having your hand attached to a striking weapon/tool is a bad idea.

I used to work a lot in the field using machetes, and we wouldn't even allow wrist lanyards b/c they were dangerous.

I won't even use one that has a hand guard after an incident that broke a metacarpal in my hand with a USGI machete.

There is potential for a lot of damage with an index finger looped through a coil and attached.

Like I said, please don't take offence, and its a neat idea that looks cool, but the cons outweigh the pros for me on this one.

[BullOnParade]

Please don't take this the wrong way, but having your hand attached to a striking weapon/tool is a bad idea.

I used to work a lot in the field using machetes, and we wouldn't even allow wrist lanyards b/c they were dangerous.

I won't even use one that has a hand guard after an incident that broke a metacarpal in my hand with a USGI machete.

There is potential for a lot of damage with an index finger looped through a coil and attached.

Like I said, please don't take offence, and its a neat idea that looks cool, but the cons outweigh the pros for me on this one.

Can you please give details as to why it's such a bad idea? I understand risks of lanyards or something tightening around extremities (finger/wrist) but if you're aware of it, you can monitor it.

[offcamber]

Can you please give details as to why it's such a bad idea? I understand risks of lanyards or something tightening around extremities (finger/wrist) but if you're aware of it, you can monitor it.

I used to do survey work where I spent most of my day hacking through dense undergrowth.

When striking hard with a machete or larger bladed tool, certain impacts, or oblique strikes can turn the the tool in the hand.

In most cases, when strike, angle, and follow through is correct, the blade/tool does its job. But in instances where the blade strike is wrong, or your grip isn't 100% it can turn, or worse, shed it from your hand.

For example, we stopped allowing wrist lanyards because we had a couple of incidents where new folks weren't using them properly and they would lose grip on impact and the machete would continue on its path, swinging at the wrist. It usually resulted in a lower leg cut, etc.

The same for machetes with handgaurds. I learned the hard way that they can twist and break your hand.

Now, apply this to your index finger looped and attached the machete, etc.. if it wrenches, twists, etc (you don't even have to lose hold of it), I feel it can do significant damage to the index finger in a worst case situation.

It may not be an issue with smaller fixed blade knives/tools, etc, but I could see it being a problem on machetes, tomahawks, Kukri's etc.

I could be wrong, but for me, its just not worth the risk to have my finger looped through p-cord on a tool like this.

[2now]

The call them trigger loops in the SCA out here. and they do work. It can be loose enough to allow 2 fingers and allows a loose grip. Such that when you make a fist it pulls teh striking edge a little faster for an slight extra 'snap'.

I can see it's usefulness on small knives, or a home made shiv type tool.

For a larger swinging tools, I think a saber strap would be 1000% better, If you have enough cord.

nice concept and a good way to use cord.

[res1cue]

Offcamber, I see where you are coming from, but in usage, I haven't encountered this as a problem. I did originally make this for smaller knives without guards, and only recently incorporated them into larger choppers.

On smaller knives, I would not see the difference between my wrap and a real subhilt or a WWI trench knife. In fact, case in point:

[alptraum]

I'm fully with offcamber on this in that I believe it's a bad idea. It's been a long time since I've been involved in any sort of knife fighting training but to me this just seems like a good way to break and/or injure fingers.

EDIT = Without going into a bunch of detail I'll just say that knives and other blade based weapons and tools have been around for a long long time. There are good reasons you don't see stuff like this on them.

[res1cue]

EDIT = Without going into a bunch of detail I'll just say that knives and other blade based weapons and tools have been around for a long long time. There are good reasons you don't see stuff like this on them.

I can see where you are coming from for larger blades and choppers, although in the past 2 years of experimenting I haven't had a problem yet. For smaller blades, I'd argue that trench knives and subhilt fighters are an analog of what I made

[fixinto]

I totally approve of your use of cold steel knives but I am also against the finger loops I have spent a lot of time with various fighting knives and disciplines involving said knives and none of them have recommended a finger loop for reasons that become obvious once you start training.

[alptraum]

EDIT = Without going into a bunch of detail I'll just say that knives and other blade based weapons and tools have been around for a long long time. There are good reasons you don't see stuff like this on them.

I can see where you are coming from for larger blades and choppers, although in the past 2 years of experimenting I haven't had a problem yet. For smaller blades, I'd argue that trench knives and subhilt fighters are an analog of what I made

Knives with sub hilts are typically made out of metal so they have no ability to flex and bind nor do they totally encapsulate and trap the finger(s). Trench style knives never really caught on with knife fighting practitioners due to the encapsulating fingers part, though as they were also made of metal they at least avoided the ability to bind/twist.

As I said, knives have been in use and development for thousands of years. There are good reasons designs with stuff like this have never caught on.

[plainsman]

No way I'd use finger loops like that on any knife for my use.
A real sub-hilt has some practical use in a few circumstances; this is just begging to seriously hurt a finger or 2.