Is neck knife a passing fad?

golok

golok

Joined
Oct 20, 2000
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I am curious how it all began. A couple of years ago, few people even knew what a neck knife was.

Suddenly, Kaboom! Neck knife is the rage.

Actually, how does the wearing of a neck knife compared to having a clip-on in your hip pocket?

Personally, I find a neck knife rather uncomfortable. I suppose it is a personal thing. Some people say it is a Man's thing. If that is the case, are there any women around also wearing knives around their necks?

My uneducated guess is neck knives will fade away in two to three years time. I could be wrong, of course. Maybe I am right because by then, "ankle knives" may be in fashion. Even that is not new. :D
 
I'm sure SOME of the enthusiasm will eventually fade. However; there has always been a dedicated following among certain individuals. A lot of Police officers (myself included) wear them as backup weapons because they are very descreet and very easy to access with practice.

While most women probably wouldn't wear a full sized blade, my girlfriend wears a Livesay Zipper. The blade is exteremly slim and light weight. It's the only neck knife she will wear.
 
I don't think it is a passing fad. A lot of the people that carry a knife around the neck swear by it, and I can see a few advantages for outdoor carry. I carry both a neck knife and a knife clipped to my pocket, for survival situations it would be an advantage having the knife around your neck, along with a compass.
My .02 :)

Ryan
 
I don't particularly care for neck knives. I've seen many that I've drooled over for their qualities as a knife, but the whole concept just isn't right for me. They get in my way. Wearing anything around my neck other than an understated gold chain (when it isn't a fashion faux pas) really bugs me. The worst is when you go to hug or kiss your spouse/gf and you or she gets poked in the chest by the knife sheath or tang.

Anyway, as far as your original question goes I really haven't seen many people that use them. Maybe I just don't see them since they are typically worn under a shirt, but I just haven't seen a great explosion in neck knives.I know they're selling like hotcakes, but that doesn't mean they're being used.

-Al-

Edit: By the way, I realize they are loved by a number of folks here and in LE. What I was getting at above was that I just haven't seen many on the outside that have them.
 
I’m a big fan of small fixed blades, but neck carry is just too uncomfortable for me. It’s too bad. Neck carry is much more discreet that belt carry.

I really don’t see it as a passing fad. If you live in a place where sheeple run from a Mini-Talon, neck carry may be the only way to discreetly carry a small fixed blade.
 
IMHO neck carry is the best way to tote a small fixed blade as EDC. It's lightweight, unobtrusive underneath a shirt, sweater, or sweatshirt. With a neck knife you always have a fixed blade within reach, that is easily deployed with a swift tug. I know early on, there were folks who were dismissing neck knives as a fad but as more and more custom makers and factory companies began offering neck knives, the sheer numbers of available neck knives on the market solidified its staying power. Sure, in time neck knives will probably wane in popularity but there are always folks out there who, like myself, will continue to carry and use neck knives. They're too handy to ignore.
 
Since it is illegal to carry a concealed fixed blade in California, that means you have about 12-13% of the American population that either can't carry a "neck" knife in a neck position without breaking the law.

The neck knives that come with multi-carry sheaths allow for carry at the waist where they are discreet enough to carry out and about. For me, this is only while travelling by car. Otherwise, they make for nice designs, but I stick to folding knives for carry purposes.

Even if the big rise in neck knives may diminish, they still fulfill a niche for lightweight, small fixed blades, which will in and of themselves always be popular and useful in an era with a more dense population.
 
I believe that there will always be a market for Small Fixed Blade Knives with sheaths that allow for multiple discrete carry options. These knives are typically referred to as Neck Knives.

My EDCs are:
Kit Carson F4
Camillus Mini Talon
Jones Brothers Neck Knife

None of them are worn around my neck.
 
I don't think that they are a fad, as there is a niche for them that I have found quite useful. While jogging or mountain biking I like having a neck knife so I don't have to worry about a folder becoming uncomfortable in a pocket or worse yet, losing it. Some of the biker shorts don't have pockets either, so again, the neck knife works. The only big issue I have is being legal with them here in California, as Architect mentioned, where they have to be in plain view. Most people don't seem to pay a small Arclite or Medallion much notice, although I carry a folder in non-sporting activities.
 
being a wheelchair user the neck knife is by far the best option for me.I either use my shirt pocket or neck carry.The necker works best especially for hunting or fishing.The dozier horizontial carry sheath is ok but not as easy to access. gailt
 
I think for most, the main advantage of a necker would be that under the shirt isn't a spot where people would expect a knife to come from, and that it's another place to hold a knife or two without worrying about clanking as you walk, or your pants falling down. :)
 
Neck knives are great for fishing....don't have to reach down into your waders to get a knife (esp handy if your waders are neoprene!)

I also find a sub 3" blade the most useful size for a utility blade.
 
My uneducated guess is neck knives will fade away in two to three years time. I could be wrong, of course. Maybe I am right because by then, "ankle knives" may be in fashion. Even that is not new.
Click to expand...

Five years ago... The "thick" of the tactical folder craze, I bet someone said the exact same thing. Only time will tell. Until then, have fun and buy lots of knives.
 
Originally posted by solid_soldier


Five years ago... The "thick" of the tactical folder craze, I bet someone said the exact same thing. Only time will tell. Until then, have fun and buy lots of knives.
Click to expand...

The key here to focus on is usefulness. Even after the initial hubub over neck knives fades,they are handy little blades to have for all sorts of cutting chores. Digressing, but very much to the point - tactical folders are not as hot as they were about 4 - 5 years ago. But they are very useful knives and therefore have stuck around the market and are still somewhat strong today.
 
I have found a neck knife to be much more useful than a folder. I now carry one everyday, and it would probably be my primary knife if I could only carry one blade. I don't have any problems when carrying them wide open outside my shirt in public. I figure if no one says anything about it, and I get a fixed blade over a folder, then I'm pretty well off:)
 
Neck Knives are a good way for carrying a decent sized fixed blade without advertising it in the way a belt sheath does.
I personally tend to prefer a pocket clipped folder for everyday carry applications, but every now and then i'll carry one of my neck knives and really like it.
 
I have a few knives that can be worn around the neck-Boker Specialist II, REKAT Hobbit Fang, CS Paraedge, but the only one I've ever worn was the CS. I don't find it as comfortable or as easily accessed as a clipped folder. For the size, I also don't see much use for the 'strength' advantage of a fixed blade. Also, wouldn't a shoulder rig be better than neck carry? I could't say, never had one. It just seems more secure.
 
Originally posted by YoungCutter
Neck Knives are a good way for carrying a decent sized fixed blade without advertising it in the way a belt sheath does.
Click to expand...

Amen Youngcutter!! I'm always carrying a neck knife, even while dressed up in the Sunday best.

I have mastered multi-folder carry ;) Now, if I can master multi-neck knife carry.... :D LOL
 
neck knives....ugh. hopefully they are a fad. Dont get me wrong, I love most of the small fixed blades that are 'neck knives' I just can stand anything hanging from my neck. Most of my neck knives are carried on my belt or tucked in my waistband in a static setup.
 
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