That reminds me of the article in the June 2006 issue of Knives Illustrated magazine about the Osborne Safety lanyard. Knifemaker Warren Osborne was training for a cutting competition, using a rear lanyard, when the knife slipped out of his hand, and nearly severed a forearm muscle. His Safety Lanyard, as he calls it, attaches through a hole near the front of the handle, like a hollow handle pin, or in the ricasso. The loop is short, and twisted to tighten the grip. If the hand slips, the knife stays put. He said that it's not really a new idea, as old night sticks and billy clubs had forward lanyards for easy access.