Small fixed blade knives have become one of my favorite everyday carry options, especially for fifth pocket carry. They’re lightweight, discreet, and easy to carry all day. But if you’ve spent any real time with them, you’ve probably noticed the same issue I have: limited grip space.

When your hand barely fits on the handle, control and comfort suffer. That’s especially true if you have larger hands or use your knife frequently throughout the day.

In this post, I want to share a simple, inexpensive modification that dramatically improves grip and usability on small fixed blades—without permanently altering the knife.

The Problem With Small Fixed Blade Handles

Knives like the TRM Tag Along and other compact fixed blades excel in portability, but they often leave your pinky with nowhere to go. That lack of purchase can make the knife feel unstable, especially during extended use.

This isn’t a flaw unique to one brand—it’s a tradeoff that comes with ultra-compact designs.

The $3 Hardware Store Solution

The solution is surprisingly simple: metal spacers and a short lanyard.

By adding a bronze or steel spacer to the lanyard hole and running leather cord or paracord through it, you effectively create a grip extension. This gives your hand a more secure purchase without changing the knife itself.

• Bronze or steel spacers (available at most hardware stores)
• Leather cord or paracord
• Pliers (helpful but not required)

Each spacer typically costs under $4, making this one of the cheapest functional upgrades you can make to your EDC.

Function Meets Aesthetics

Beyond comfort, this mod adds visual character to your knife. Whether you’re carrying something minimalist or more utilitarian, the spacer-and-lanyard combo adds a finished look while improving usability.

Even on knives where the lanyard is purely aesthetic, the added control and balance are noticeable.

Watch the Full Video Breakdown

I walk through this entire process in detail in the video below, including examples on multiple knives and a few tips to avoid common mistakes (like stabbing yourself during installation).

Final Thoughts

This isn’t a flashy mod, and it’s not meant to replace a well-designed handle. But for small fixed blades—especially fifth pocket knives—it’s a practical, low-cost improvement that genuinely makes them easier and safer to use.

If you carry a compact fixed blade and feel like it’s just missing something, this might be the fix.

As always, thank you for stopping by and supporting Surviving the Daily. If you found this useful, consider checking out the video and sharing it with someone who carries a small fixed blade.