What do you guys use for a neck lanyard and/or a breakaway if you use paracord? I picked up a little neck knife and want to get a lanyard to carry it.

I use paracord now, but I don't tie a knot. I overlap the ends about 1" and bind them together with 2-3 stitches of light cotton thread.

For a breakaway, I use a Double Overhand Noose (ABOK #409) clamped down on a bight. If you tie as shown in the pics, it's idiot-proof. In other words, when you crank down the noose on the bight, the breakaway force is the same every time.

A Break Free Knot for Neck Carry
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=864FSx_cTYQ

I really liked the idea of what was presented in the above video, but I didn't like the exact knot he used. Instead I use a nail knot and that seems to have enough tension for my tastes. A nail knot is similar to a hangman's noose and will come apart under tension - you decide how much tension.

Here's a link to the nail knot.
http://www.animatedknots.com/nailknot/index.php?Categ=fishing&LogoImage=LogoGrog.jpg

With this setup you can adjust the breakaway tension to your tastes and you don't have to glue anything or stitch anything.

The main thing I like about the nail knot is that it lays close to the skin. A lot of other knots stick out too far.

By the way, there are several other threads discussing neck lanyards, such as...

http://forums.equipped.org/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=241868&page=1

Gut the paracord. Run a dog tag chain thru the paracord, leaving a half inch of the chain (preferably the connector and two or three beads on each side) exposed. Melt the ends into the chain. All done.

I insert the two ends of the cord into a piece of heat-shrink tubing (available at electronics supply stores). Local camping store has lanyards for a dollar or so, with a convenient clip on the end; I use this method on these lanyards, by making a single cut in the cord.

I use paracord. The ends are joined by inserting them into a brass tube (a .22 spent shell with the base cut off). I them pinch the tube with a pair of pliers. Works for me.

That is absolutely brilliant. So easy and makes so much sense.

Personally I don't bother. I usually hate having things around my neck anyway but the odd time I do (kayaking for example) where I am not wearing a belt then I simply tuck it all into my shirt or vest or whatever.

Getting choked out by a neck lanyard holds a very, very slim chance of happening IMO.

Why would you even bother with the para cord at this point and not just wear the chain as is?

Some solutions are slick, but their requirement of additional parts/tools eliminates them from my consideration.

Lanyard is stronger than chain alone, and doesn't turn your neck black as the chain will.

Any chain is only as strong as the weakest link, so if you have an inch or so of Normal chain exposed how exactly does the para cord make the lanyard stronger? I don't understand.

It won't turn your neck black.

Yeah, never looked at it that way. Makes sense.

I'd use a pre-made break away id lanyard.

I glued some small, but real strong magnets in the ends of paracord. Holds all my doodads and my Mora.

Clever idea with the magnets...

Can use a SRB meant for paracord.

Eg
http://www.ebay.com/itm/281049084511