I use high-visibility orange cordage, it does come in handy to spot my knife just in case. I store more cordage on the lanyard (for other uses just in case) and adjust the length by using the easy right-hand Reeve Coil:

http://www.chrisreeve.com/knotright.htm

On a machete, a wrist loop reduces the grip you need on the handle so you
can chop longer before tiring, like the webbing on cross country ski poles.

It should be tight enough that one twist will keep your hand in the right
spot on the handle.

It is also a safety issue if you are working around others, so the knife doesn't take off at someone if you lose your grip.

My two favorite reasons for a lanyard are:

1. It makes withdrawal from a deep pouch sheath much easier.

2. The lanyard can be tucked up under my belt to "secure" the knife in the sheath. Quick and easy.

Whether for a lanyard or not, Simon, I kindly like that right-hand Reeves coil. Gracias.

That right-hand Reeve Coil looks just like a plain old hangmans noose...

"On a machete, a wrist loop reduces the grip you need on the handle so you can chop longer before tiring, like the webbing on cross country ski poles."

I read about this in Don Paul's "Everybody's Knife Bible"
The right length wrist lanyard lets you hold the end of the handle between thumb and two fingers and extends the radius of the blade when swinging it in a chopping motion. The knife still needs some weight in the blade for this to work but it does seem to help. (on my Ontario Spec-Plus Pilot Survival knife which I carry for backpacking/dayhikeng)

Unimogbert

Shhhhhhh, just drink the KoolAid. That is a custom knot. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Oh...OK...

A simple loop on a knife handle is for retaining your blade if it slips from your hand. The braided or looped kind is so you have some cordage along with your knife if you find yourself in a survival situation with no other supplies. Cordage is good for everything from food procurement to shelter building and firestarting.

As a custom maker I include a length of 550 cord with all my knives so the customer has the option.

I tend to have a length or paracord in the hangman's noose style on several of my field knives. When tied up it's less than 2" long but unravels to about 13" or 14" long which is plenty to make a loop when needed or for other uses <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />