Looking for a Neck Knife

C

CrazyCraig

Joined
Apr 15, 2021
Messages
28
I am looking to buy my first neck knife after over fifty years of losing pocket knives !


I am wanting a 3-4 inch blade ,Lightweight,Preferably a carbon steel blade for easy sharpening,Lightweight sheath and Made in the USA .

I want to carry this in a handle up orientation.

OR, at my age of 61 I do like to piddle and make things myself, so if I could find a suitable Blank I could make my own .

I would Appreciate information regarding buying or making this knife.

Thanks
 
Stuff from Esee and Kabar? That's probably the most popular solution.

If you're not stuck on carbon steel, I always recommend the white river backpacker...the fit and finish you get is custom-level. And its skeletonized if you want your own handle or wrap your own.

Real Steel Alieneck? I dont own one myself, but alot of Chinese brands made them too at a good price (Civivi Planck is one as well). The CRKT minimalist in D2 is actually my favorite necker, its very light and functional.

If you dont mind spending a little more try the bark river caper (they also have a few others).

A few custom/midtech guys make them too, I think I've seen them on Nifecenter.

I do see you have a long blade requirement, why not get a scandi Puukko for neck carry? Jelio puukko and Malanika puukko are both on this forum and have their own sites, and they do some amazing work.

Have fun shopping!
 
I had a couple of the Columbia River Knife and Tool neck knives about 20 years ago.
What they made up for with being convenient - they more than became a constant annoyance & always in the way - plus being extremely difficult to put back when you're someplace like atop a 28-foot extension ladder.

I'd recommend getting some cheapie thing and trying it for a while before dropping any serious money on one.

You might be past your ladder-climbing years @ 61. Back when I was 61, I'd still scamper up/down ladders like some deranged arthritic primate. No more of that for me now@ 69!
 
Esee Izula 1 or 2, or Becker BK 11 or BK 14. As mentioned above, if you aren't set on carbon steel, the White River Backpacker is fantastic. It is often my choice of fixed blade EDC, and I have a quite a few options.
 
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Guinea Hog Forge Barebones Piranha in parkerized O1 tool steel, great ultralight, pack flat small fixed blade. I keep one in the little tool kit I keep in my bag. Might take a bit of for hunting to find one as I think he's moved to 3V for all of his stock removal made knives.
 
The Cold Steel Mini Pendleton Hunter has a sheath that can be converted to either belt or neck carry by removing or adding parts. Fallkniven makes a nice, but expensive, neck knife, too. It is one of the options for the WM1.
 
The Izula II might he a wee bit shorter than you are looking for but is an amazing neck knife. I am not a fan of small knives (except actual "miniatures"). However, I gotta say - that little thing gets it done! A lot of performance out a little piece of steel. Plus, it is just the right weight. Heavy enough to not flop around too much but not so heavy it is a pain to wear (I sling a rifle most of the day, tho, so my perspective on hanging weight might be askew).

Grab one, I doubt you'll regret it.
 
I know you mentioned carbon blades but the Fallkniven WM1 is a really nice light weight small fixed blade knife with an awesome handle and comes in three great steel flavors.
 
Welcome to the forums Craig.

What is your price range?

https://www.bladehq.com/item--KaBar-ESEE-Becker-BK14--7078
You can add a handle for $12 more.

If you are willing to get something other then carbon steel and the budget allows, Duck Childress makes some very nice knives that would make a great neck knife.
He mostly does D2 or 440C. Most of his prices are $100-119 range. You could always email him and ask if he works in 1095 too. For example ...
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads...int-hunter-d-2-stabilized-birch-burl.1783231/
PS. I have no connection to @duckchildress , just a fan of his work. 151 sales, no negative reviews ....
 
Dergyll said:
... If you're not stuck on carbon steel ... Real Steel Alieneck? I dont own one myself ...
Click to expand...

I have the utility model. It's decent for what it is. There are some slight differences from the Wharncliffe model but what stands out is the slight forward curve that leans towards pruning or hawkbill blade shapes. While harder than what you'd get on an Opinel, their 12C27 is soft enough that it should be easy to sharpen.

Coincidentally, I did extensive filing on mine. While the outside handle edges are okay, the interior cut-outs had crisp edges. So I went around and smoothed them up. It was quick and easy. Now I'm happy using it without wrap or scales. I plan to use it for basic utility tasks in and around water this summer. (That blade shape is great for cutting cord.)
 
Thanks Guys I appreciate the information.
I will look up all the knives that were mentioned.

After giving it more thought I think I would be interested in the same knife that I described with a double edged blade.

I would appreciate some information on this knife I am interested in with a double edge blade.

Thanks
 
gazz98 said:
I didn't find a lot of knives that meet all your criteria. 3"-4", carbon steel, double sided, and made in USA.

https://www.bladehq.com/item--Bear-Ops-Boot-Knife-Fixed-Blade--94470

Says high carbon blade steel.
https://www.bladehq.com/item--Gerber-Guardian-Back-Up-Double-Edge--27049

https://www.bladehq.com/item--TOPS-Knives-Fiel-Fixed-Blade-Neck--36918
Click to expand...


I looked at all three and while I am sure the Tops Knife is a great knife I like the blade shape of the Bear Ops and the Gerber.

I like them both but see that the weight of the Gerber is less than half of the Bear ops which might be better for a neck knife ?
I don't know as I have never worn a neck knife.

I plan on wearing this knife all the time at home and my occasional trip to town, will not be taking it off until I go to bed.

Thanks for the links
 
The Boker accomplice is probs my next purchase, 3.2 inch blade, heavy stock and finger ring thingy.

I don't hear much talk about this knife and it's more expensive than most of my purchases eg CS mini tac series but it looks interesting.
 
The Izula is a little short for the OP's preference. It is, however, an outstanding little knife. I certainly recommend it, and it is surprisingly capable for such a small knife. Cordwrap the handle for comfort and convenience, and you are good to go. The micarta slabs on the Izzie are a little thick for neck carry IMO, although tastes vary. The BK-11 fits comfortably in your size requirement, and has a lot of support. I probably just got a bad example of the knife, the edge on mine was atrocious, but eventually sharpened up to a decent edge. Apart from a poor factory edge, I really like the knife.
 
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