3 neck knives, help me choose

R

Rsq

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Aug 7, 2011
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I want to get a cs mini tac tanto, a benchmade hk snody instigator and a blackjack necker. Eventually i will get all three, and an izula, but for now i want one of the first three. Obviously the bj necker is the nicest, but im just not convinced its worth the extra 20-30$, which would go a long way towards the cs mt tanto AND the snody.
If i could find the necker for under 50, i would jump on it, but it seems to be a bit harder to find, esp at that price point

Any input is appreciated

Ps
The use is mostly for a utility blade, so edge retention is important, but i like knowing i have it for defensive purposes. (i never put myself in situations where id need it, and id probably not use it if i found myself in one, but nonetheless, knowing i have it feels good)
Ideally if i abused it a little, id like the metal not to chip. I know its a tall order, edge retention and not brittle for under 50$, but still-u guys know better than i do about these things. If there are any awesome options im overlooking, let me know. Im quite partial to tantos, then bowie-type styles (a la bj necker) but i have loved my benchmade products
 
Yeah, im going to get one eventually, i just like the styling less than the others. Ive seen it come up on every edc and neck knife post ive been thru tho. Is it really that significantly better than these? If so, why? Is it the balance? Edge retention? Is the heat treatment superior? Ive been payin attn to the steels, i like the sound of aus8, hence the cs (which i wouldnt otherwise consider (i also heard this particular cs blade is made in an american shop, which gives me some confidence.) I like the sound of the 154cpm even better, but it costs more. I havent heard that 1095 is anything special, but then, im hardly an expert. I also know that it is generally the temper over the steel, so i could be making my decion based on an irrelevant criterion. I guess thats why i am asking
 
1095 is nothing to scoff at. For a real workhorse knife, you can't beat the toughness of a higher carbon steel (to be considered high carbon, the carbon content has to be greater than .5%). 154 isn't gonna be as tough as that 1095, which is why a lot of outdoor type knives are 1095 (.95% carbon), 5160 (.6% carbon), 52100 (1% carbon), a2, o1, d2, 3v. These are all much higher carbon steels than 154cm or aus8. Aus8 is really nothing that special. I'd pick 1095 over aus8 any day. a2, 01, and d2 are all tool steels. 3v I'm not sure, but it's not a stainless steel like 154cm.

EDIT: aus8 is about equal to 440b stainless. It's not even equal to 440c.

With that said, I do like 154cm. In terms of application, if I want to have an all around knife, I'd probably not mind 154cm. If I want to have knife for harder use, I'd probably pick 1095, some tool steel, or 3v. If I want an uber high performance stainless, I'd look north of s30v in the realm of Elmax or similar steels.
 
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Is the becker bk14 different from the izula? They look the same, both are 1095, but tge bk14 is 1/2 the price
 
Rsq said:
Is the becker bk14 different from the izula? They look the same, both are 1095, but tge bk14 is 1/2 the price
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Bigger blade than the Izula. It's a collab between the makers of the Izula and Becker. It uses 1095 cro-van, which I'm not familiar with but based on nomenclature, more than likely has added chromium and vanadium. Chromium adds wear resistance and corrosion resistance. Vanadium refines grain structure and also adds to wear resistance. They are good knives based on everything I've read including reviews. Not sure why they are cheaper.

EDIT: It was designed for the people that wanted a Becker Necker blade with the handle of an Izula.
 
Rsq said:
Any input is appreciated

Ps
The use is mostly for a utility blade, so edge retention is important
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it's going to blow the budget a little (ok, a lot), but have a look at the Fallkniven WM1 in 3G steel.

awesomely capable little drop point fixed blade that holds onto it's edge like a limpet hangs onto it's rock.
 
So its half the price, and more wear resistant? Isnt that a little too good to be true? If thats really the case, then i think its settled. The WM1 is a good one for later, but the price im looking for rt now is Cheap

harkamus said:
Bigger blade than the Izula. It's a collab between the makers of the Izula and Becker. It uses 1095 cro-van, which I'm not familiar with but based on nomenclature, more than likely has added chromium and vanadium. Chromium adds wear resistance and corrosion resistance. Vanadium refines grain structure and also adds to wear resistance. They are good knives based on everything I've read including reviews. Not sure why they are cheaper.

EDIT: It was designed for the people that wanted a Becker Necker blade with the handle of an Izula.
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As for the tanto vs kiridashi or skinner, im just partial to tantos. They remind me a little of katanas, which is where my blade interest starts
 
Rsq said:
So its half the price, and more wear resistant? Isnt that a little too good to be true? If thats really the case, then i think its settled. The WM1 is a good one for later, but the price im looking for rt now is Cheap



As for the tanto vs kiridashi or skinner, im just partial to tantos. They remind me a little of katanas, which is where my blade interest starts
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In this case I'd say it's as good as it sounds.

BTW, if you like tantos, you'd love my fixed blade I just got recently. However, it's over 6 times that of an Izula in price. I designed it and had Pohan Leu make it for me.

harkanto2.jpg


harkanto3.jpg


It's a2 steel at 62.5 RC. Overall length is 7 inches with a 3.5 inch blade and 3.25 inch handle from the guard back. Blade stock is 3/16 inch. The red is rayskin leather. The menuki is a bronze dragon.
 
Rsq said:
So its half the price, and more wear resistant? Isnt that a little too good to be true? If thats really the case, then i think its settled. The WM1 is a good one for later, but the price im looking for rt now is Cheap
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The steel is slightly better on the Becker, and the heat treat is better on the ESEE. Quality and warranty is also a little better with the ESEE, but in actual usage, I don't think any of that will make much of a difference. There's also the Becker BK11, which I have. It has a shorter handle that won't be quite as comfortable as the BK14/Izula one, but it has a bottle opener which I find very useful. Becker makes some great neck knives; I think you'll be happy with them. Also, make sure to get some paracord (Rothco 550 is good) to wrap the handle with; it makes the handle a hundred times more comfortable and really upgrades the knife.

There are other neck knives out there you may want to look at, too. Like the Swamp Rat Warden, Buck Mayo TNT, and Böker Krein Bowie.
 
The Izula is my favorite neck knife that I've come across. I hardly wear it on my neck though, mostly just tucked into my pocket. The ergonomics of it, the warranty and the awesome heat treat that Rowen puts on the 1095 are some of the best things about the Izula.
 
Harkamus,
You are absolutely correct. I love it. Can you send me some information on who made it, how much it cost, and how to get in touch with him? The only way it could be any cooler is if it had a hamon. That is a knife that is more akin to jewelry than a functional piece tho (not that it wouldnt withstand anything you put it through, and probably better than any of the ones on my list, but its just too damn pretty to use in any way that might nick/scratch/blunt it.). I still want one (to show off as the most awesome letter opener EVER)
Just like a katana, mostly for show unless you really REALLY need it, then you're glad for the craftsmanship.
 
Rsq said:
Harkamus,
You are absolutely correct. I love it. Can you send me some information on who made it, how much it cost, and how to get in touch with him?
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I left you a visitor message with the pertinent information.
 
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