My "almost perfect" neck knife

SpookyPistolero

SpookyPistolero

Joined
Dec 13, 2005
Messages
6,105
A lot of folks who I chat with already know that I'm not a big 'neck knife' guy. I don't like the flopping around or the weight around my neck. But I do love the easy access! It's always right where you need it. I've been messing about tonight and came up with my 'nearly perfect' necker.

The blade is just an old hickory paring knife. It's an often overlooked blade, not too sexy or anything. Bare bones simple but perfectly effective! Weighs next to nothing. Takes a really impressive edge. :eek: The sheath I 'made' is a super impressive duct tape/cardboard special. It's easily worth 10% of the knife. ( :D ). There's a small loop of paracord taped to the top, with another longer piece through that loop to make the necklace portion. Looks like crap overall, but the hold is very secure actually (I layered some extra duct tape on the inside to make it fit a lot tighter).

(Sorry for the crappy pics, working on a new carmera...)
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It's really an excellent slicer/carver, and you're not afraid to use it!!! Easily recommendable to someone who wants a super cheap knife to start out with.

An aside:
I was messing around with one of those coghlans fire sticks, the ones that feel like recycled cardboard pressed together. There's a chunk of one in the pic. When you 'fuzz' them, you can't get good flame from firesteel. And they seem to have a decent burn time. Soaked one in water for a minute, and then did the fuzz trick again - still took a flame.

Anyone else use these regularly? I haven't made up my mind if they're worth displacing fatwood in my kit.
 
the old hickories are really nice. i have a skinner-turned-nessmuk that works really well. nice sheath too :thumbup: before i read the entire post, i thought that was a half eaten kit-kat next to your knife...
 
That whole setup rocks! Its so un-tactical. Right down to the jute twine lanyard. :thumbup::D
 
ha.. great stuff Spooky...:thumbup: that's a cool looking little set up... i love the sheath...:D
i agree with you man, those old hickory paring knives are often over looked... i have afew of the Victorianox paring knives.. i love em'..
 
Im inspired I have an old Wilkinson paring knife that has a self sharpening holder. Maybe ill do something with that.
 
I thought I was the only one that liked stuff like that. My beat up ole 2/0 mora sees more use than any knife I own. I also carry an orange plastic handled Rachel Ray parer in my back pack that people at work ask to borrow almost everyday. There is something to be said for a knife that doesn't cost an arm and a leg and is a solid performer. :thumbup: Chris
 
BarberFobic1992 said:
.....before i read the entire post, i thought that was a half eaten kit-kat next to your knife...
Click to expand...

Me too. Then I started thinking about Kevin's "Blue Dagger" thread.... Hmmm, I wonder, if you........;)

Spooky',
You really need to watch how you are throwing money around! We have one just like that and that Hickory handle only lasted about twenty five years before I had to replace it.;) I didn't replace the whole knife, just put an Ebony handle on it. It's pushing thirty years of constant use in the kitchen and is probably THE most-used knife in the house. A fella at work gave me a whole set once that he and his new bride got as a wedding gift. He was worried the "cheap steel" was going to rust in their dishwasher.:rolleyes:

Nice rig, GREAT post!:thumbup:
 
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Very cool will. I had a bit of a project too this eve. I have this Rambo4 type knife Charlieridge let me try out. I totally forgot about the thing, and it sat, un oiled, beat down, and unloved, and dull, in my gear trunk for nearly a year now. I got the bastid out, and it as covered in rust. I gave it some much needed love, sharpened her up to SCARY sharp, and a new lanyard and cord wrap. Looks like quite the gem now.

Jute lanyard. Man we must be channeling each other. I was sitting earlier with my roll of jute, trying out differant lanyards for my firesteel. I am trying to do one that allows for removal of cord for tinder, w/ easy unraveling, and using alot of jute for it. It would be a neat little fire kit in itself.
 
Wow, thanks guys! Didn't think there'd be this many people who would enjoy this so much! I've used this knife pretty regularly for everything (kitchen, woods, whatever) for a couple of years, just a great knife! I'd like to try a couple in 'up sizes' too, like that boning knife.

But that lead to the 'mora-l dilemma' ( :D :D ), where you find cheap knives that can outperform knives that are ten times as costly. Rough situation!!
 
made something very similar, although yours is better.
used a piece of craft fabric (I think that's what it's called, plastic screen type stuff) and wrapped it in duct tape. The plastic will be more durable than carboard, both in keeping your fingers slightly more safe from the sheath being cut through, as well as moisture resilience.
Yours is still an upgrade, since it's got the loop, as well as a tighter fit. I should have put some tape on the inside! can still add that very utilitarian loop tho.
OH 4" paring knife inside, too. Did you grind down the point, or am I just mistaken?

I used to use the coghlan's firesticks a lot, and still have most of a pack kicking around. I think it was $2. I break them into quarters or thirds, and ignite the frayed ends. Always had good luck with them. They remind me of sawdust stuck together with paraffin. They bust up easier than fatwood.
I happen to have switched over to fatwood, for my fire-sticks, mostly because it just feels more traditional, and thus, 'cooler'. gets me in the mountain mood. I like that I can split off little slivers at a time, or making handles for ferro rods (very cool, and I have yet to catch up with the many savvy folk who have!). It stands up to more abuse in a pack, if packed loose.
Actually, you happen to be one of the people that got me sold on fatwood! that, and the fact that a $5 sack of fatwood lasts a long time.
Oh, and the jute twine.. another great tip I picked up from you and others here. Thanks!
 
I have some like that with a red match like head on the end. I havent used any yet, but they came from goinggear.
 
Mike, I got the Vic' paring knife 4" (added a few paring knives, 4" or under, to one order; looking for a lightweight backup..), and it fits GREAT in a cigar tube! friction fit. The plastic has to stretch just a tiny bit, but it makes lockup secure.

I happened to wrap in electrical tape, overlapping like an electrician wraps wire. Just a habit with plastic sheaths, like Moras; but always a bit of tape handy, if needed.

The tube is a recycled White Owl case; peach flavored so it smells kind'a good. Dunno if that matters, but figured I should mention. In terms of fit, not scent!

I like that both the knife & sheath are all synthetic, as well as stainless steel. Easy to keep clean, means it often finds its way into my food bag on outings.

Still dig the Mora most overall, for lightweight utility, but these are even a touch lighter, and handle dedicated light slicing chores nicely!
 
j williams said:
Very cool will. I had a bit of a project too this eve. I have this Rambo4 type knife Charlieridge let me try out. I totally forgot about the thing, and it sat, un oiled, beat down, and unloved, and dull, in my gear trunk for nearly a year now. I got the bastid out, and it as covered in rust. I gave it some much needed love, sharpened her up to SCARY sharp, and a new lanyard and cord wrap. Looks like quite the gem now.

Jute lanyard. Man we must be channeling each other. I was sitting earlier with my roll of jute, trying out differant lanyards for my firesteel. I am trying to do one that allows for removal of cord for tinder, w/ easy unraveling, and using alot of jute for it. It would be a neat little fire kit in itself.
Click to expand...

And you don't have pics yet?!?!?! I want to see! :D Re: the unravelable (?) jute lanyard- this is a daisy chain so you can just unravel bits at a time. Not too shabby looking either!

NaturalWorld said:
Mike, I got the Vic' paring knife 4" (added a few paring knives, 4" or under, to one order; looking for a lightweight backup..), and it fits GREAT in a cigar tube! friction fit. The plastic has to stretch just a tiny bit, but it makes lockup secure.

I happened to wrap in electrical tape, overlapping like an electrician wraps wire. Just a habit with plastic sheaths, like Moras; but always a bit of tape handy, if needed.

The tube is a recycled White Owl case; peach flavored so it smells kind'a good. Dunno if that matters, but figured I should mention. In terms of fit, not scent!

I like that both the knife & sheath are all synthetic, as well as stainless steel. Easy to keep clean, means it often finds its way into my food bag on outings.

Still dig the Mora most overall, for lightweight utility, but these are even a touch lighter, and handle dedicated light slicing chores nicely!
Click to expand...

That's a great idea on the cigar tube amigo! And glad that you got turned on to the jute/fatwood combo - it's certainly a reliable favorite!
 
I dont know if they are worth a crap or not. You have to apply some pressure to strike a match, and they arent the most tough things. I feel as if I would just break it if I tried to strike it.

Pics? To dark now. Soon I will take some though. Its just a beast. A beast of a knife.
 
j williams said:
I have some like that with a red match like head on the end. I havent used any yet, but they came from goinggear.
Click to expand...

i have a box of those. i really like them, especially if it is cold out and i dont feel like takingoff my gloves to get a fire going with a firesteel. the only problem is that they arent really wind proof, and they are a tad bulky.
 
For the guys who want to carry a Victorinox paring, they make a kydex rig for them. Go to any sailing fisherman wharf supply place and they will be there. Cost about $7.

SF or Ballard WA.
 
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