Looking for a good first neck knife...

C_1 said:
-CRKT Minimalist
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I picked up one of these recently. Great design and price, but I think it's on the small side for camp use. It won't work very well if you're trying to make kindling for a camp fire, for example. Between the size and the cheap steel, it's just not a hard use knife... works fine for lighter cutting, though.
 
I would recommend Kit Carson's F4 neck knife. The customs are hard to find but really nice fixed blade. Its a standard carry when I'm in the field.

It also is produced by Columbia River. CRKT Carson F4-02 Neck Knife is available from a number of vendors. The Columbia River production version comes PlainEdge and combo. You can find the production versions for under $25, depending on the blade steel.

You can see the production version here.
http://www.thefind.com/sports/browse-carson-neck-knife
The CRKT Carson F4 Knife, designed by Kit Carson, features a 2.625" drop point fixed blade made of 420J2 stainless steel, .10" thick, with full tang construction, a friction grooved handle, textured Zytel scales and a lanyard. A molded Zytel sheath with reversible clip and neck chain is included. Overall length: 5.5". Weight: 2.6 ounces with sheath.
 
gblade1 said:
have been teetering on the Izula for a month now...... cant stand it any longer..... pulled the trigger :)
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You will love it. Then you'll have to decide whether to leave it naked, wrap it in paracord, carry as a neck knife, in pocket, on the belt, etc. It's so versatile.
 
blindhorse small tiger knapp!!!!!!!

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Brian Andrews (Off the map outfitters) has a nice scandi neck knife.

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p.s. I like my two izulas a bunch as well!
 
Wow, what a great response from the community here. Never before have I encountered a message board with so many members eager to help. Thanks guys.

As for the Izula, I am leaning very hard on it. The price is on my high end (on the RAT site it said about 100 for the whole Izula kit), but the RAT warranty is simply unbeatable. Can anyone testify to their warranty and if they truly honor it the way they advertise it?

I also considered the CRKT Folts Minimalist, but after seeing a review, I changed my mind. The knife is fine for small tasks, because it is a very small knife. Would be an extremely comfortable carry, but I simply need more knife.

Does anyone have anymore pics of the Izula in action, the RAT site had a few, but I want some from actual owners?
 
TejasKnives said:
Wow, what a great response from the community here. Never before have I encountered a message board with so many members eager to help. Thanks guys.

As for the Izula, I am leaning very hard on it. The price is on my high end (on the RAT site it said about 100 for the whole Izula kit), but the RAT warranty is simply unbeatable. Can anyone testify to their warranty and if they truly honor it the way they advertise it?

I also considered the CRKT Folts Minimalist, but after seeing a review, I changed my mind. The knife is fine for small tasks, because it is a very small knife. Would be an extremely comfortable carry, but I simply need more knife.

Does anyone have anymore pics of the Izula in action, the RAT site had a few, but I want some from actual owners?
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Sorry, I don't have any pics (no camera). As for price, you can find the Izula on many sites for around $50 for the knife and sheath, maybe $70 or $80 for the kit. I would recommend both Knives Ship Free (www.knivesshipfree.com), or Chestnut Ridge Knife Shop (www.ridgeknifeshop.com). Both have competitive prices, and great customer service. Though I have not had a need to take advantage of RAT's warranty yet, I can assure you they will back it up 100%. If you visit the RAT Cutlery forum under the manufacturer's forums, they have a sticky there concerning the warranty. I hope this was helpful, and good luck with your knife search!
 
There're alot of small FBs out there, custom or product to fit just about any budget. However, I tend to prefer a finger hole in my neck knife (That's just me), because of the easy indexing, ease to grasp, & better retainment.

Because of that, my favorite 3 neck knives are:

HAK (HideAwayKnife)
Emerson La Griffe
Spyderco Swick/SPOT

However, I recall BM's 211 not being a bad little knife at 5.5" OAL with a 2 1/8" blade (S30V or D2), Nemesis Hellion (4" OAL, I had the older S30V one), Simonich Bitterroot (I think Mr. Becker called it the finest small FB, IHHO), but there're many others. The Buck Hartsook & little Mayo FB are very good for the $ (I think they're both S30V & maybe $20-25).

I've never had an Izula, so I can't comment, but I see no reason why it's not an excellent choice. I've had a few Becker BK11's, but I thought they're a little too big for kneck carry, IMHO. Boker has a couple inexpensive ones out in 44OC, too (The Subcom FB & another one, I think they're around $25-30).

Really, if depends on your budget, what features you're looking for & if you want SS or carbon steel.

Good luck with whatever you get.
 
TejasKnives said:
Wow, what a great response from the community here. Never before have I encountered a message board with so many members eager to help. Thanks guys.

As for the Izula, I am leaning very hard on it. The price is on my high end (on the RAT site it said about 100 for the whole Izula kit), but the RAT warranty is simply unbeatable. Can anyone testify to their warranty and if they truly honor it the way they advertise it?

I also considered the CRKT Folts Minimalist, but after seeing a review, I changed my mind. The knife is fine for small tasks, because it is a very small knife. Would be an extremely comfortable carry, but I simply need more knife.

Does anyone have anymore pics of the Izula in action, the RAT site had a few, but I want some from actual owners?
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Come hang out in the RAT sub-forum and see! :D We dont bite! Well...most of the time. At the top of the page click "Manufacturers" and then scroll down to the RAT forum. We have plenty of pics and reviews to keep you busy for hours.

In all seriousness they do stand by their warranty 100% of the time. A while ago they replaced on a guy was using to pry bricks out of his driveway.
 
TejasKnives said:
As for the Izula, I am leaning very hard on it. The price is on my high end (on the RAT site it said about 100 for the whole Izula kit), but the RAT warranty is simply unbeatable. Can anyone testify to their warranty and if they truly honor it the way they advertise it?
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Yes. The Ratcutlery team are about the most customer-responsive company out there. You break it, they replace it. You just have to fill out the form and send in the knife. They have a sticky thread in their subforum.
 
Oops.. I was kind of in a rush and didnt read that you wanted it to double as a camp knife. I just kind of copied and pasted a list of neck knives that I was considering. Thought I'd give you some options. I wouldnt recommend a CRKT Minimailist for camp duty.

However, I would recommend the Kabar Becker Necker. An inexpensive and sturdy knife; well worth the $35. But if you want something a little smaller, get a RAT Izula for $50; their warranty is the best.

As to self defense, if you have it on you, and if its sharp, good enough.
 
like alot of people are saying,, and I thank you all.. I make alot of neck knives,, but, if i were going to buy a factory knife,, it would be the Rat...izula.. good luck with your search,, jh
 
Another vote for Horton...check out his subforum in the makers' area.

If you are planning on carrying the necker close to your body, even sometimes in your pocket (in the sheath of course), I wouldn't recommend the 1095 the RAT is made of. Some people swear by it, so this is just my opinion. But if you get even a little sweat on it and don't clean it right away, you're gonna get rust galore. Sure you can sharpen it out and all but the edge is coated, but that takes work to do. Again, just my .02. You can get D2 from Horton; not stainless, but much more forgiving. His knives are the sharpest you'll ever find, and his warranty will be just as good as RAT's.
 
I too am a Jeremy Horton fan.
I have 2 of his neckers.


jhnecker2.jpg

I wrapped the paracord on that one.
I edc that knife every day for work.
Use it for everything...no problems.
Here is a shot making 2x2's from 2x4's


jhnecker1.jpg
 
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