I just looked at the Ka-Bar site so I know what Im talking about. I was thinking of the "next Generation" Ontarios. The Ka-Bars have no provision for lanyard attachment. the popular Australian bushknife modification consisted of chopping off the upper guard, reshaping the stacked leather handle to an oval shape and drilling a lanyard hole in the buttcap. None of these are really appropriate to your version. the upper handguard is needed in a fighting knife and drilling near the tang in that small buttcap calls for a talented machinist. The kydex sheaths are much better at retaining the knife, and if you wear it under clothing more secure yet. lanyards are usefull while brushpopping, but can oftentimes be as much a nuisance. Id just keep a length of paracord handy and throw a quick knot on the groove near the butt. The powder expoxy coating will work well against rust until worn. Black leather is a pita to maintain ( try a 4 in hand horse harness with brass fittings sometime. ) Until you get the kydex sheath just pickle it in a good waterproof conditioner like snowseal.