If you're picky about materials, I'm sure there are still some ATS-34 versions of the REKAT Fang still out there. I've got one, and it's great. I wouldn't be worried about their discontinuation, that doesn't change the knife's quality. The ATS version's something like $40, plus $10 if you want the extra belt loop attachment. It's well worth all of it, and hey, since REKAT's ditching them, maybe you'll find a good deal somewhere. I've also got a Livesay G-45, I took off the powder coating (it scratched off too easily, anyway--should've used a better coating, but Marine Tuf-cloth takes care of that), and if you're willing to retouch teh grind and resharpen it, it's a good knife for the money (got mine for $22, I think). Moving on, there's always the STIFF KISS (no snickers, please), which I like, though it's quite big for a neck knfe. Let's see, the Neck Jaws from Laci Szabo's supposed to be great, and then there's the La Griffe, both custom and Emerson production version. Both are nice, and I'm looking to get the Emerson version myself (cheaper, 154CM blade). Don't forget the cutsom lovers out there, those who have R.J. Martin knives, Wilkins', Polkowski, etc. All of them, from the overwhelmingly good reviews (taken w/ a grain of salt) given, are also people to take a look at. If you don't mind carrying one in a belt loop fashion and hiding the thing in your pocket, there's the Black Cloud Philippine Box Cutter, which is, though small, a razor thin, razor sharp, deadly trap, hook, cut, thrust and basically eviscerate weapon. That's the only "custom" concealment type blade I've got, but when it comes down to it, judging from my own preferences (medium hands, looking for lightness, sharpness, concealability, cost, materials), and from what others have said as a majority, I'd go with (drum roll) the REKAT Fang, with the La Griffe and Phillipine Box Cutter coming in second and any of Szabo's neck knives coming in third, sipmly b/c I don't have any and I'm going on Laci's rep as a martial artist. I choose these three not only b/c of my personal criteria but b/c of the designers and manufacturers--they're all bad ass martial artists who create their works w/ the true neck knife purpose in mind (at least, what I think it is): defense. Not utility, even though that's nice and could get a cop persuaded to your side, but hell, if he frisks you and finds it concealed, you're screwed, anyway. In fact, Bob Taylor of REKAT was the first to come out w/ the neck knife concept, and he's quitting the Fangs b/c too many others have undersold him, either by using cheaper materials, factory production methods, etc. From what I got, he feels that they took his (REKAT's?) idea and he doesn't want to compete w/ a lower quality (I'm talking production companies, not custom makers) product in the sales department. What the hell was I talking about? Oh yeah, neck knives. Yup, those three choices are designs that have been tested and apparently proven (no bashing to the other guys). So check those out, and the others, too, I'm sure you'll find one, but for the whole package, I think you'll be hard pressed to outdo the Fang. Good luck in your search.
