Help replace my necker, just not working out for me and need another fixed blade

T

T-Dog

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Nov 28, 2009
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It has taken me about a 1.5 years to realize that I just don't care too much for my Bravo Necker. I love Bark River (and have a few of them) and I think the blade is quite nice but for me it is just a little too small in the handle and the blade is too short and honestly I don't care too much for the blade profile. My current EDC setup has been a really really worn and almost dangerous Spyderco Native my necker and a small leatherman multi tool that fits inside my pocket plus my HDS flashlight in my other pocket. There is hardly a day that goes by that I don't use every item that I carry especially my Native and my light. I wear carpenter Carhartt pants almost everyday for many years now and it is soo fast and easy for me to grab my Native from my pencil pocket on my strong hand side that there is no way I would ever change that setup so I thought why not try and fine a super duty folder that could take the abuse and be a jack of all kind of blade to replace my Native and just not carry a necker any more but after really researching over the past few weeks I fell out of love with that idea. I don't want a clunky Strider and I know that the Sebenza is not meant for that kind of heavy use but more then that I just don't think a folder can replace a fixed blade and I don't need it too since I really don't mind carrying a third knife be it around my neck or waist. So to make a long story short I went up to Golden today and bought a Paramilitary 2 to replace my Native and now I need to find something to replace my necker. I should preface this by saying that I am really torn whether I should try and find another neck knife or if I would be better suited by a belt carry kydex system. I want the blade to be as close to 3.5 inches as possible since that is the limit here in CO and I don't know if that is going to be pushing it for neck carry...I have never felt like the Bravo was too much knife around the neck but maybe just a little bigger would be and 3.5 inches definitely would be. I have no problem just placing it on my left/weak side if the consensus is that it would be better there. I don't have the option of wearing it on my right since that side is reserved for either a tape measure or my boom stick.

So what do you think would be a good fit ready to weather the elements and get as close to possible to my 3.5 inches that is ready to split wood, skin game, cut string off of bales or work some fruit.
 
An ESEE 3 would be my first choice, great blade at 3.5 inches (only 3 inch cutting surface though). If you are worried about the 1095 rusting the new HEST just came out and it is made in D2. Although depending on what you are doing that may be too brittle for you, and it might also rust, I haven't carried my D2 blades enough to tell yet. My favorite necker/small belt carry is a Spartan Enyo. It is slightly smaller at just under a 3 inch blade length but it is super light, I believe around 6 ounces with kydex sheath, designed extremely well, made of a great steel (S35VN) and comes with a ball chain necklace and my favorite belt attachment I have owned. I haven't owned any but I have heard Murray Carter makes great EDC fixed blades as well, or the CRK professional soldier or Nyala. If you are looking lower cost CRKT makes a couple good small EDCs but if you are going to use it that much and can afford it I would go with a higher end knife.

Hope this helps
 
Hello fellow Coloradan!

If you like Bark River, bear in mind they do have a Bravo Necker 2 that's 3.5". Becker BK14 might also fit the bill (BK11 probably has too short of a handle for you). You might also consider going custom, or even making your own. I've got the BK11 and Bravo Necker 2 if you want to feel them in hand and see if they call to you, and want to make the trip to the Parker side of Denver. Spyderco Mule Team might be a good buy as well.
 
+1 on the ESEE 3 and, if you actually use the knife like you describe, you'll never have a rust problem.
 
BK14 with the new scales would be an inexpensive one to try out.
ESEE3 would work better as a belt knife than a necker.
if this is something that you're willing to wait a bit for, you might consider a custom maker - like JK or KFU.
both of them have set patterns but are also willing to work from your drawings.
JK semi-wharncliffe EDC for example: 3.25" blade, 4" handle.
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Sorry, just checked in on this one as I had not been getting any notifications and low and behold there is a slew of them....thanks for the responses and I will start checking some of those suggestions out right now.
 
Hey there Crimson Falcon, I may jump on that offer if I decide that I think I might go the necker 2 route though it seems like it would be a decent wait for one after talking to a few knife stores...I cannot find any in stock.

After looking through the suggestions I realized that I should have mentioned that I don't care for anything that does not have the option of adding in handle slabs or one that comes with a full handle. I cannot stand the empty skeleton feel of my wifes Izula or my necker before adding the sides. I like the CRK soldier a lot but it is a no go on the handle.

Curious if I go custom how long it usually takes from either JK or KFU and who I should go to for a kydex sheath.
 
The Morris knives really intrigue me being made out of file stock...what are the advantages and disadvantages to this as I am not the most up to date steel guys?
 
Nothing particularly wrong with file stock, except that it's mystery steel (many are 1095 though). I've made a few file knives myself, and a couple from 1095 proper. It's definitely fun to grind out your own blade. Have you looked into the Becker knives? There are handle scales available for both, and it's not hard to make them yourself.
 
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