Neck knife delimma!

C

Cackmandu

Joined
Aug 24, 2015
Messages
196
Guys, I just can't seem to find the right fit, I like all of the knives I'm going to list, but there is maybe just one thing that kills the deal for me!

TOPS: Mini Scandi Knife 2.5 has great sheath, but the handle might be just a tad short for med. lg. hands?
Ka-Bar: BK24, this would be at the top of the list, but have to purchase handles that I don't care for (black and orange) and the sheath sucks, that puts it over $100, not really what I want to spend for a very rarely used knife!
White River Backpacker $85, really, really like this one, but again on the pricey side!
Condor Mini Bushlore $35, nice price point, but again will need a new sheath and made in El Salvador!
ESEE Izula II, really like this one, but not with a coated blade!

Am I overlooking the perfect knife or am I just too dang picky?

Thanks for your input. CAD
 
A few random thoughts.

Sometimes its worth it to get what you want. If that's the bk24 with a new sheath and scales, it may be worth it. Also, have you used the sheath? Sometimes things get a bad rap, mostly by people that haven't used them. Also, they slightly changed the sheath for those recently, so it "may" be better, and you "may" find you don't need a custom sheath.

Condors blades are just fine. Don't let the fact that they are made in el Salvador give you pause about buying them. I've owned a condor, and would do it again.

If the esee izula II is what you want... Just take the coating off. Paint stripper and a putty knife will have it gone in 30 minutes.

Good luck making the decision :).
 
Of the ones you mentioned .
IMO the Becker is a great knife but on the large side for neck carry.
The esse izula does come in uncoated 440C.
I think the white river backpacker looks very good and would be my pick.
Also check out some of the custom makers here.
 
My favorite necker is a Mora 2/0.

Of your choices I would go with the Izula. If the coating bothers you either remove it or go with a stainless uncoated model.
 
You're not gonna go wrong with either the izula 2 or the white river backpacker. Both are excellent knives that'll last you a life-time. IMO, the izula is more of an outdoors/bushcraft kinda knife that's backed by a bullet proof anything goes warranty that can't be beat, but overall bang for the buck I'd get the S30V backpacker... It's really the best performer in all categories asked of it. EDC, bushcraft/camp knife, defensive knife, city knife. And at $90 your not gonna find a solid, perfectly ergonomic quality knife that will do whatever you need. Buy it, fall in love, and forget that you were ever looking :)
 
I like the ESEE Izula 2. It's tough as nails and easy to sharpen. It's not stainless so the coating is useful, but you can remove it easily enough if you want to. The price is reasonable and the warranty is unbeatable.
 
Have you looked at the Brous Silent Soldier line?
Not cheap, but I've never heard anything but rave reviews.
 
Cackmandu said:
Guys, I just can't seem to find the right fit, I like all of the knives I'm going to list, but there is maybe just one thing that kills the deal for me!

TOPS: Mini Scandi Knife 2.5 has great sheath, but the handle might be just a tad short for med. lg. hands?
Ka-Bar: BK24, this would be at the top of the list, but have to purchase handles that I don't care for (black and orange) and the sheath sucks, that puts it over $100, not really what I want to spend for a very rarely used knife!
White River Backpacker $85, really, really like this one, but again on the pricey side!
Condor Mini Bushlore $35, nice price point, but again will need a new sheath and made in El Salvador!
ESEE Izula II, really like this one, but not with a coated blade!

Am I overlooking the perfect knife or am I just too dang picky?

Thanks for your input. CAD
Click to expand...

Might want to look into the original neck knife: puukko. Big enough to use comfortably in the hand, light enough to be comfortable on the neck
 
The BK24 (or the D'Eskabar version in D2) can be equipped with the green Micarta scales of the Izula. I like the D'Eskabar (and I fitted it with Izula scales) but it's a bit heavy for all day neck carry. Same for the White River Packer, it's a superb knife but just a little too heavy. I don't know how sensitive you are about weight around your neck, this is a very personal factor. The intended use is another factor : you can split wood with the D'Eskabar (and the Packer) ! I don't expect that from my neckers. I appreciate that they are always at hand and ready to cut. My choice for years has been the Fred Perrin Mini Bowie : featherlight and awesome cutting machine. It has been relegated to the drawer by my last acquisition, the EKT Companion which ticks the same boxes but offers a solid, ergonomic handle for only 0,7 additional ounce. Still featherlight and more power both in the handle and the blade. Good, good stuff !
Pictures may speak better than I. The D'Eskabar is on top and the FP Mini Bowie is second from the bottom :



The EKT Companion is almost (by a hair) the same overall size as the FP :

 
Guys, thanks for all the suggestions, I still like my lineup and will probably wind up getting the majority of these, plus I really like the Blackjack 155! I'm pretty much sold on the Izula II to start with, it was between that and the BK24 and hope to wind up with that one later, but for starters I think it's the ESEE. I like the blade shape, scales and sheath better on the ESEE, although I do like the plain finish and the D2 on the Becker, I think the ESEE is the knife to start the collection with!
 
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