Neck knife - Authorized for Deployed Army Personnel?

S

SuperGlued

Joined
Oct 16, 2009
Messages
11
Hello all,

An Army friend of mine (I am a civilian) is deploying to Afghanistan in the near future. Without going into too much detail, he has the unenviable job of escorting/repatriating "former" bad guys back to their towns and villages.

I want to buy him a back-up neck knife. I have been told by an ex-navy guy I work with that it would be considered unauthorized gear and would be confiscated along the way.

Does anyone have the straight dope on authorized/unauthorized knives in the U.S. Army?

My buddy is an MP and a sergeant if that helps matters.

Thank you for your input.
 
I too have been told many times that only NATO approved gear can be used. Yet I have a blade I made over in kurkuk Iraq right now, with two more going over there soon. So I guess don't ask don't tell on non issue items?
 
Army does not supply a knife, that is each soldiers reapnsibility. This is what I have been told by a VMI graduate. I don't believe you will have any trouble here, from what I have heard everyone carries whatever blade they want. Firearms have to be issued by the army though.
 
If your buddy is going to be fully geared-up for combat, he won't be able to reach his neck knife. You may want to consider another form of knife carry for him.
 
Yeah, under the west - uncomfortable and useless, over - sort of stupid. And uncomfortable. :rolleyes:
 
I've seen pics of a soldier carrying an Izula (PINK Izula) on his belt, in Iraq.
So a necker doesn't mean you've to carry it around your neck. If you're so strict with the terminology just call it a small fixed blade then...
 
I would not recommend a neck knife for your friend. Like others have said if it's tucked inside, It will be of no use. If it's on the outside of his gear the chain or necklace part could interfer with other equipment. I wouldn't put it past the "bad guys" to go after it in desperation as well. Doesn't seem to be a good idea.
 
Here is the leader of a UN Special Op's team in Haiti with his Murray Carter neck knife:

6029639534_7822280830_b.jpg


But you could always lash the neck knife to your belt, wear it on a strap, etc...
 
Thanks for the info guys.

Good points all around. Now that I think about it, I agree that "neck-knife" carry wouldn't work too well under his vest, LBE, etc.

I'm going to err in the direction of zachtateknives's D.A.D.T mindset and get him a knife.

Perhaps I'll get him one of the back-up knives with neck carry option for when he's State-side. When he's in country however he could use it as a concealed back-up (boot, belt, etc). I just have visions of him possibly being overtaken and disarmed. I'd like for him to have an ace up his sleeve so to speak.

It's his 3rd and last deployment to the M.E. before he retires and I just really want some extra insurance for the guy.

I've been looking at the TOPS Covert Solution. Might get one for myself too as I've been considering a neck knife for some time.
http://www.bladehq.com/item--TOPS-Knives-Covert--6073

Thanks again all.
 
SuperGlued said:
I've been looking at the TOPS Covert Solution. Might get one for myself too as I've been considering a neck knife for some time.
http://www.bladehq.com/item--TOPS-Knives-Covert--6073
Click to expand...
I've never actually handled a TOPS knife, so I can't comment on them first hand. I can say, you can get any number of very high quality "small fixed blades" for the same or less than TOPS knives go for. The understandably popular Becker Necker, ESEE Izula and BRKT Bravo Necker are all less expensive and arguable better quality knives.
 
A neck knife would not be ideal for a combat soldier - as has been stated it will probably be buried under a ton of gear, be uncomfortable (in the extreme heat even a light knife hung around the neck will chafe and abrade) and probably not be much use. If it was to be attached to exterior gear then a larger blade could be carried. In my experience any knife carried by a foot soldier (or Marine) is more of a tool than weapon. It will be used for 101 things you and I would NEVER use our knives for. My choice was, and is, the KABAR. It has seen our warriors through 70 years of conflict and continues to this day.
 
I carried several knives with me when I was in the box. Never had anyone give me any grief about ANY of them. I even saw a young Soldier with a katana attached to the back of his vest, I thought it was a bit much. However, if it works for him and his command I wasn't going to open my mouth.
 
I carried several knives in the suck. I had problems with my command when it came to carrying a small balisong and an OTF auto. No problem with a D/A side opening auto.
 
mdauben said:
I've never actually handled a TOPS knife, so I can't comment on them first hand. I can say, you can get any number of very high quality "small fixed blades" for the same or less than TOPS knives go for. The understandably popular Becker Necker, ESEE Izula and BRKT Bravo Necker are all less expensive and arguable better quality knives.
Click to expand...


The Izula and the Izula II are my top contenders now. I have to say I liked the TOPs design. Looks like a real pig sticker!
 
@somber-that picture is awesome!!!
I agree though, a necker doesn't have to be around your neck.
As long as it gets the job done, whatever that may be.
 
We all had personal knives when I deployed. They're useful over there for all kinds of chores. Only thing I would avoid are spring-actuated autos, as getting one through customs on the trip home could be tricky.

Don't know why you're getting snowed so badly about a necker--it's not the question you asked. Regardless, a soldier will simply fasten it to his/her load-bearing gear or vest. Problem solved.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top