I heard they go around the handle for extra security which makes the sheath jump qualified. As when you jump out of an airplane with a parachute. The loops add an extra measure of security to keep the knife from slipping out of the sheath in case you accidentally unsnap the keeper snap while in the air. I could be wrong but this is what I've been told.

Dan Snyder
RKS #5537
SHAG #010
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