Neck Knife in the woods?????

I like to carry a necker as a backup in the woods.



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is the backup to this:

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which compliments this:

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I carry two...

Simonich Talonite Bitterroot under my shirt (talisman and back-up) and my Mora on the outside.

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It depends on the knife and the user.
I have a couple neck knives,but they aren't geared for the outdoors,nor do I like having anything hung around my neck. I do have a BK14 on preorder and plan to make it an edc,just in case type of knife. Big knives will do some chores faster and easier,but someone who knows their stuff (not me!) will get by just fine with a small knife. I know people say: "the more you know the less you need". I think it's more "The more you know,the more you know what you need."
 
WILLIAM.M said:
Todays question from Dr.Bill

Neck Knife in the woods?????

Do you think they have a place,are they optional,or should everyone carry one just in case???

If so--state why...

I know some who ONLY carry a neck knife and feel VERY well prepared.

I know others who think they are toys at best and only carry much larger knives.

I personally like them and have a few I carry--but would never go out with just a neck knife.

I just like the feeling of a larger,heavier fixed blade with me when I'm out hiking/backpacking.

How you you feel and WHY!!!

Sincerely

Dr.Bill:thumbup:
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Near home, when working outside (10 acres, about a 1/3 woods) or hiking around home (rural area), I'm fine with just a SAK and my Gossman PSK. Granted, I'm never more than 5 miles from home, the car etc when carrying these knives. However, those two are enough knife for me. In late spring, summer and early fall, the neck sheath is very convenient, carried either over the shirt or under it. I usually have sweat pants on, and they don't carry a ton o' junk well. During cooler weather, I usually have the knife in my pocket, minus the cord for neck carry.
 
I will almost always have a neck knife on, but I do not believe they are necessary. They are an optional thing to carry. I never go with only a neck knife, I will always have something that I can chop with, as where I go I like to chop things up. Be it for a fire, or for fun :)
 
In the summer I'll carry just my izula and feel just fine. In bad weather I prefer a hatchet or hawk so team that with a neck knife and it would still be fine. I would not feel comfy, however, with just a neck knife in bad weather.
 
I'm using my Swamp warden or Izula set up as a neck knife once in camp for small camp chores. It's very convenient when rigging up lines, cooking or the other myriad of little chores that come up once in camp. I don't think I'd wear a neck knife with a large backpacking backpack on though. I might attach my neck knife to the strap while hiking though. Haven't backpacked with one yet.
 
I mostly use a neck knife in situations where reaching a folder would be difficult, like when on kayaking trips (stainless only!) or if I'm on a hike with a big pack. I wear my necker outside my shirt. On woodsy trips I'll also have a bigger chopper/machete of some sort too, but generally less accessible. For me a necker is meant to be a designated pointy slicer, and the bigger knife is meant for any hard duty.
 
my one and only neck knife is an izula, everybody knows what it looks like, I edc it everyday, and it goes with me to the woods.....I carry it around my neck, and I've never had an issue with drawing it out underneath my shirt...I think it's optional if you are going to carry 3 or more knives, but you know the saying "One is none, and Two is one", I pair it with my RC 4 or my ESEE 5.....they work good as a duo....
 
I always have my Izula. When I'm hiking I like to have it as a "always there" knife. I also find it convenient when I'm in camp, in comfortable clothes, to have it with me. I don't have any issues getting to it under my shirt or from under pack straps. Lately, I have been pairing it with a Vic Huntsman.:thumbup:
 
ratamahatta said:
my one and only neck knife is an izula, everybody knows what it looks like, I edc it everyday, and it goes with me to the woods.....I carry it around my neck, and I've never had an issue with drawing it out underneath my shirt...I think it's optional if you are going to carry 3 or more knives, but you know the saying "One is none, and Two is one", I pair it with my RC 4 or my ESEE 5.....they work good as a duo....
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:thumbup::thumbup:
 
To answer the question, do they have a place, yes I think they do, but I also understand people who do not like them. just like any job can be done by any sharp object, there are some who will always prefer one over another.

On my recent trip to Australia I switched almost entirely to fixed blades out of legal concerns, so for me the izula replaced what would normally been a folder. I felt comfortable using it as a neck knife, especially while in waist deep water, where as a folder would have spent the day in a pocket getting salt soaked. As for a primary woods blade, if I was with other people with skills and blades, I'd feel fine with just the necker, being that it is quick and easy to access, and can be used with cold hands or left handed. but in a group where there is more reliance on my skills, I'd be carrying more steel to speed up tasks. And in places where belt carry of a larger knife is less common, it is nice to be able to blend in.
 
so... how do you get underneath the kidney pad and cross straps to get to your knife? and it doesn't rub or bounce around and drive you nuts? and for those that use LBV's or utility belts... I just don't see how it's practical. I'd just as soon shove one of those uncomfortable square molded plastic sheaths down the side of my boot... or baldric style, which makes ten times more sense to me.
 
PayetteRucker said:
so... how do you get underneath the kidney pad and cross straps to get to your knife? and it doesn't rub or bounce around and drive you nuts? and for those that use LBV's or utility belts... I just don't see how it's practical. I'd just as soon shove one of those uncomfortable square molded plastic sheaths down the side of my boot... or baldric style, which makes ten times more sense to me.
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I usually wear a Maxped Gearslinger, and the knife rides under and below the strap. It's a simple reach under the shirt. When I wear a backpack it rides under and below the cross strap, and my shirt lifts up. I don't cinch the belt so tight that my shirt won't lift easily. If it bounces around it isn't enough to be noticeable. Maybe I'm not really understanding your issue.
 
I've tried this numberous times, over and under my shirt, and between replacing the knife in its sheath, drawing the knife, fighting the pack etc it seems like a ridiculous solution. I don't know how you're walking but the damn thing swings back and forth wildly at the slightest provocation.
 
PayetteRucker said:
I've tried this numberous times, over and under my shirt, and between replacing the knife in its sheath, drawing the knife, fighting the pack etc it seems like a ridiculous solution. I don't know how you're walking but the damn thing swings back and forth wildly at the slightest provocation.
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To each his own. Maybe you've got a little more swing in your hips than the rest of us. :)
 
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