Neck Knife Carry Options Review

Dark Nemesis · Oct 7, 2001

Hey all, I know this is a topic thats been covered over and over again, but due to a recent solution I came across, thought I would bring it up one more time. Weve all had the problem of what to use as a carry option for neck knives and their sheaths. Do we go ball chain, paracord, or other? Well recently I got a Busse Assault Shaker from Brian_T. It came rigged with a #2 24 ball chain; right off the bat I had to find something new, as 24 just wouldnt work

so after carrying other neck knives I turned right back to 36 2mm paracord. Wouldnt you know it, the next day someone started a thread on this exact topic, and after re-reading all the reasons not to use paracord I went out and bought a #6 36 ball chain (app. 4mm). It was better than the cord, but there were several problems. Then Rob Simonich replied to that same thread and mentioned using parachains. After contacting Rob, he sent me a 36 piece and let me tell you IT IS THE BEST THING EVER!!! So for anyone who is interested, below is my information and opinion on all three options that Ive tried.

Ball Chain
Ive used these before, but never fell in love with them for use with neck knives. I dont know about anyone else, but putting on a ball chain at 04:00 when its only like 40 degrees, sends a fricking chill right threw me. The other thing I dont particularly care for is the noise factor. Most of the time I dont want people to focus on my wearing a neck knife. When used with kydex it makes noise just from normal walking motion. Yeah its quiet, but its enough for people to notice while walking down the hall. As I said before, instead of getting longer #2 chain, I went and got a #6, which was rated, for outdoor weather and conditions. With a chain this thick, it keeps scratching my neck on the sides and the back, so it would never work as a daily carry option. Only excellent advantage of a ball chain that many people have mentioned is its ability to break under extreme pressure like someone using it to choke you.

<img src="http://www.crimsonhorizon.com/graphics/bladeforums/neck_carry_02.jpg" align="center" valign="middle" border="0">

Paracord
After using this for several neck knives before the Assault Shaker, Ive found it to be the most comfortable against the skin for prolonged carry times. Unlike with a ball chain, putting it on in the morning isnt such a shock during the cold season. However the two problems I have with it are hooking the ends together, and physical safety. Since there are no interlocking ends it either has to be tied off or have an additional connector, which is what I usually use. Hmmm, now that its on my mind, is it possible just to melt the two ends together and seal them permenantly? Anyways, it will still choke the life out of ya if someone wants it too. Out of these two I would have to go with the uncomfortable ball chain.

<img src="http://www.crimsonhorizon.com/graphics/bladeforums/neck_carry_03.jpg" align="center" valign="middle" border="0">

Parachain
I honestly think that Rob Simonich has come up with the best thing since butter. He swears butter is better, I just dont know yet

what Rob does is really cool. He takes what I think is nylon wrap and threads a ball chain through it. The only things not covered by the wrap are the interconnecting ends. Too make sure that it doesnt come apart, it looks like the ends of the wrap are melted to the ball chain, is that right Rob? To me this answers all the concerns and dislikes of the ball chain or utility cord alone. Its got the strength of both combined, but it does break away if too much pressure is applied. He sent me two pieces, so I tried it with the second one, the chain inside and the outer wrap will definitely break away before threatening your life, no doubt about it. Its got the comfort of nice smooth utility cord, and the extra convenience of the ball chains connector ends.

<img src="http://www.crimsonhorizon.com/graphics/bladeforums/neck_carry_04.jpg" align="center" valign="middle" border="0">

<img src="http://www.crimsonhorizon.com/graphics/bladeforums/neck_carry_05.jpg" align="center" valign="middle" border="0">

Ive worn it ever since the package arrived, and like it much more than either of the other two alone. Ok, Ill stop taking up post space now

hope the info and pictures are beneficial. Take care

<img src="http://www.crimsonhorizon.com/graphics/bladeforums/neck_carry_06.jpg" align="center" valign="middle" border="0">

Brandon -B- · Oct 7, 2001

yup it's definately a good idea

I'm suprized that more people haven't come up with it. In the army a lot of guys do that to our ID tags. i'm not fond of paracord though because it gets pretty nasty when you wear it a lot against your skin.

Dark Nemesis · Oct 7, 2001

I'm thrilled with it

Comfy as all hell, and it accomplishes the goal of creating something safer than normal strength paracord.

Frank Castle · Oct 7, 2001

I thought I was the only one that did that. I've hollowed out 550 cord for Dog tag chains about 10 years ago. Seemed natual to add the same idea to the neck chain. Takes a little patience making one.

Its a lot more "Tactical" as far as noise disclipline goes. The chain will break before hanging you if it ever gets caught to. Plus, no more cold chains!

Normark · Oct 8, 2001

Hey Dark..

Rob is correct..
Parachain as you or someone has coined it is Definately the way to go...

However,, the only way I like it,and or use it is if the bead chain is a heavy enough guage....

Regular old dog tag chain is too thin and will break far to easily..Go up on the size a couple of notches and you are in business...

It's definately the way to go when you have concerns about strangulation...

ttyle

Eric...

Dark Nemesis · Oct 8, 2001

The chain he sent me is a pretty good gauge. From sight and comparing it to other chains that I can identify, I think its a #3 or a #4. I've got a #2 and the parachain is definately thicker than it. However my #6 is still the heaviest gauge out of all of them.

With the assault shakers standard sheath I would not be able to use a heavier chain in the paracord. It would never get through the eyelets after being wrapped. Its plenty strong, not sure if I would want it any stronger, I do still want it to break should the need arise

Joe S · Oct 8, 2001

Hate to be the one to keep saying this, but since no one else will:

If you think that a ball chain will break off your neck when someone grabs it, or if it gets caught on something, I have two words for you: TEST IT.

Everyone takes this as canon, but it's not necessarily true. I've done some tests, and run against ball chains that could be used to choke me, easily, if not pull me off my feet. And the ones that do break, often times use a trememndous amount of force. Expect many small circular bruises.

If someone is extolling the virtues of ball chain over paracord, the only way you can really do this honestly is to buy several of an identical type of ball chain, and test a few, and wear one. Ones that look the same often have varying breaking strengths.

Good luck, and stay sharp,
Joe S.

Dark Nemesis · Oct 8, 2001

True:

He sent me two, and I tested the second one for the heck of it, and it broke just like it was suppose to do. You have a good point, but there are only so many angles that can be covered

Thats like trying to eat catfish. Take two catfish that are about the same size from the same water supply, one will probably be delicious, while the other one strong enough to gag you.

Look at it this way. If you go out and buy ten ball chains and only three of them break under the desired amount of stress, you are still screwed

Now you have left the seven chains you DON'T want to wear, and have ruined the three you DID want to wear

JD Wairr · Oct 8, 2001

Check out the people the next time you are at the mall, fleamarket, etc. Try to find someone with cord around their neck. Go ahead, look. You may see a few, generally younger people.

Now, you're an educated knife person and see someone with 550 cord around their neck? Especially a male between 25-55. Most people wouldn't give this sight a second thought, BUT, you will........NECK KNIFE..

They say nothing cries gun like a fanny pack. What about the cord? I bet law enforcement gets the hint.

Unfortunately, the same holds true for the blackened ball chain some makers promote as "stealthy". Boy, does this stuff stand out in a crowd.

I don't even want to take a chance of being noticed. I'll stick with plain stainless chain.

JD

Rob Simonich · Oct 8, 2001

Nice comparison Mike! Glad you like the Parachains as well.

I make the Parachains up using #3 Stainles ball chain and 550 paracord. I wouldnt go any bigger with the chain as the breakaway strength goes up to high.

Joe s. I have tested the chain hanging around my own neck, and believe me it will bruise you, but it will break. Certainly there is no perfect solution to this problem, but it as close as I have come.

Brandon B, just wash the cord in the washing machine or the sink and air dry when it gets nasty.

Frank, I am certain this has been done for a number of years, just ewith the popularity of neck knives it is becomming more popular.

JD Wairr, so whats the big deal wearing a neck knife? I know of very few places that this might be illegal. Where I live Cops can look at the cord all they want to!

I live in a mostly cool climate and mostly my shirts cover up any kind of chain, cord, etc I am wearing around my neck. The folks I know that are knife savvy that wear neck knives a lot wear the collared type short sleeve golf shirts to cover the chain/cord up. With a well designed knife and sheath you cant tell it is under their shirt even looking hard.

The thing here is everyone that carries a neck knife has to use whatever they feel comfy with.

JD Wairr · Oct 9, 2001

Originally posted by Rob Simonich

JD Wairr, so whats the big deal wearing a neck knife? I know of very few places that this might be illegal. Where I live Cops can look at the cord all they want to! I live in a mostly cool climate and mostly my shirts cover up any kind of chain, cord, etc I am wearing around my neck. The folks I know that are knife savvy that wear neck knives a lot wear the collared type short sleeve golf shirts to cover the chain/cord up. With a well designed knife and sheath you cant tell it is under their shirt even looking hard.

Rob Simonich:

There's no big deal about wearing a neck knife.. I didn't say that. I think everyone in the world should wear a neck knife.

My observation is that wearing one on paracord or a black chain screams KNIFE. Some of the folks I know are knife savvy too. They are the ones who pointed this out to me.

Wear a golf shirt? Yea, right.

I don't care how well designed a knife or sheath is, wear it on paracord or black chain and you are giving up a degree of concealability.

JD

Social cameleon · Oct 9, 2001

I think the little shave marks on the forearm have the same broadcasting ability. That's why I never do that to check an edge. OTOH, I don't require a shaving sharp blade for most of what I do, so the edge reflection test is suficient for my purposes.
My point is that the appearence of being unarmed is a gestalt of so many variables. Also, just the appearence of being armed has it's uses as well. I don't get assaulted often because I just don't look like a victim. I like to be somewhere on the appearence spectrum between searched on sight and helpless.

Neck Knife Carry Options Review

Big Bear