Help me choose a neck knife

ReconTech

ReconTech

Joined
Dec 3, 2002
Messages
316
The ones I am considering are (In order from most prefered to least):

Emerson LaGriffe
Masters of Defense Scorpion
Microtech Medallion
Spyderco Ronin

I will be using the knife both on duty and off duty. I Have never handled a Ronin or the Medallion, just that I like Microtech much more than Spydercos.

Is there anything else I should look for? I'd like something that is ambidextrous... I have handled some knives at Blade that were not very good in my left hand. Course, this could have been my problem and not the knive's.

I am really having trouble between the LaGriffe and the Scorpion. One major advantage I see in the Scorpion is the V-Grind versus the LaGriffe's Chisel Grind. While I have handled both and love the feel of both, I don't own any Emerson knives but I do own a MOD Trident which I love.

Not that it really matters, but which prints less under thin clothes? Also, which of the above is more impervious to rusting against skin or under body armor?
 
My personal ranking of those knives (from best to worst):

1. La Griffe
2. Ronin
3. Medallion
4. Scorpion

Originally posted by ReconTech
Not that it really matters, but which prints less under thin clothes?
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The Ronin prints much more than the other knives - it's the only one with scales among those you've listed.

Originally posted by ReconTech
Also, which of the above is more impervious to rusting against skin or under body armor?
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Probably the La Griffe (due to its coating) - but AFAIK there are also coated versions of both the Scorpion and the Medallion available. If all four knives had the same finish, the Ronin's VG-10 might be a tiny bit less prone to rust than the other models (made of ATS-34/154CM).


Click here to find extensive info on three of the four neck knives you mentioned, and more!
 
You might also want to take a look at the Camillus CUDA CQB-2. While it's not really a "neck knife", it would work VERY well in that role, and the Kydex sheath that it comes with will work very well tied around a neck.
 
I only have experience with one of the blades on your list, the MOD. To me, it isn't a very good user, more of a self-defense-only style. The one I got was the serrated dual edge model but it wasn't very sharp. Also, they supplied me with a black chain necklace that turned my chest and my shirts black where it rubbed for the first week.

My EDC neck knife is the Benchmade 160SBT. I've been very satisfied with it, as it is light, sharp, and very comfortable to use and carry. I know it's not on your list buy it might be worth looking into. It's pretty cheap too, compared to some anyway.
 
I personally think of the ronin and the Cqb as highly consealable belt knives not really neck knives

Imo
in the same class the microtech and the scorpion are the best
Choices the 'griff doesnt suit me. an other sweet neck knife is the hide away awesome design more $$ but its a semi custom its made to YOUR hand size http://www.hideawayknife.com/
Thats what I would get.
 
If you are at all intereted in general utility use I'd avoid the Emerson, as those hook blades are far less useful than a more conventional blade shape for anything but defense.

Of the ones that you mentioned I would choose the Medallion, as it is the closest to a good general purpose knife among the four. The Ronin is noce, but a bit big.

Personally I'd go for a Camillus Arclite or BM tether knife.
 
Echo Fishbulb, avoid Emerson LaGriffe. Due to chisel grind and fairly thick edge it is poor utility tool and more than likely quite mediocre weapon since it is unable to cut. If you intend for this knife last chance weapon role take a look onto SPYDERCO SPOT, it isn’t noticeably bigger or heavier, handles even better and cuts circles around LaGriffe.
From mentioned I would choose Medallion as the best general purpose neck knife. Also take a look onto BENCHMADE Tether, actually my favorite utility neck knife. It is very well balanced between cutting abilities, handling comfort and security, carrying discretion and convenience.
BTW, never put the knife, especially neck one, under your body armor! The hit in this area could hurt you much more and could be much more dangerous with the knife between body armor and your body.
 
I guess it depends on what you want to use the knife for - utility or just last-ditch self-defense? If the latter, I will say what I do whenever this topic comes up, the S&W badge knife is a great little claw, same design but bigger and meaner than the LaGriffe and with a more comfortable handle. It's about $25, coated 440C, and cuts like a holy terror.

For a utlity necker I would get a D2 Arclite from AG Russel for $50, that knife is a great design and is very comfortable with a cord-wrapped handle.
 
I like the Benchmade, but what is GIN-1 as the blade material? How good is this compared to the LaGriffe's coated 154cm?
 
ReconTech,
BENCHMADE Tether is not GIN-1, it is actually 440C hardened at 58-60. Mine holds the edge very well, I use it quite frequently in my kitchen as paring knife. It is also offered with BT-2 coated blade, however I think it is redundant because 440C is noticeably more rust resistant than 154CM or ATS-34.
It has quite acute edge and displays good cutting performance for this size. Here is worth to underline that neck knife’s cutting performance usually is significantly compromised comparing with full-sized pieces due to shorter blade, lesser handling comfort and leverage what slim handle provides.
Comparing with Emerson LaGriffe – there are no comparison since LaGriffe what I had chance to play with couldn’t cut at all, so thick and obtuse the edge was beveled. Such knife is useless for me no matter who have made it and how loudly it is hyped.
 
Maybe try a el-cheapo necker to see if you really like them before spending a load on those on the list?
If you want to just test the water with cheap-but-cool neckers, try an outdoor edge wedge(very cute and chick friendly) or wedgeII(one of the easiest-to-handle knives I've ever seen!) for a really durable cheapy.
 
try a cold steel para neck knife in double edge 1/2 serr clean fast light and cheap:p
 
I agree with the el cheapo suggestion, a CUDA arclite etc. Gives you a feel for what you might want to change. For grins, try the S&W small thrower, about 7.5" OA. You supply the chain, but the sheath works for neck carry, and it's surprisingly ergonomic for wielding.
 
Try finding an old REKAT that can be had. These were either ATS 34, or 1095 and not of a bad design. Never wear you necker under your body armour. Matter of fact I wouldn't wear it anywhere's on the armour. You get hit with a round there and who knows what will happen. For a good cheap necker style try AG Russell woods walker I think it is called. Get the leather pocket sheath and carry it off side pocket or rear pocket or down in the slash pocket. Heck for that matter it may even carry inside your uniform boot with that type leather sheath supplied.

I am only familiar with the EKI, REKATS, Crkt,and Livesay. The LaGriffe to me is typical of the EKI hype behind a knife. The thing won't cut butter and is not ergonimically designed for people with larger hands. Oh yea owned a bunch of the Livesay neck knives and didn't think they were that great either. Although some people swear by them. I tried carrying a necker with the ball and chain and all it did was pull hair on the back of my neck and chest. Ouch.

I guess I am just not a neck knife lover but I do see where they have there place. Also there was a neck knife mae that looked like a piece of alum arrow tubing. Used to see a few of those around the necks of bowhunters at 3D shoots. Unscrewed it and it contained a thin bladed high carbon steel blade that was razor sharp. Don't know who made them or if you can still even get them. Might be worht a search though. Keep'em sharp
 
Check out the Hayes Hornet. 175$
I have one and what asolid piece. O1 tool steel chisel ground 1/4" thick.
minitan2.jpg
 
I have several neck knives but the only one I have on your list is the Microtech Medallion. It's a great neck knife BUT it also has really strong retention and it takes a special combination of using your thumb and a tweakish push and pull operation to release it from it's sheath or you can pull with all your might and still not get it free. You can GET fast at it with practise, and it does conceal well and it's a great knife but you have to REALLY get used to the draw or it'll be slow.

Once you get it out, it's a GREAT knife! It has one of the best geometries of the neck knives I've tried. You just have to get used to the draw.
 
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