Neck knife sheath retention?

gaj999

gaj999

Joined
Jan 25, 2004
Messages
1,214
I'm looking for a small, light, low volume utility blade for light duty cutting in an abusive environment - wet, muddy, sandy. Ideally it would clip to a gear sling on my harness where it would get dragged around a lot, pushed against rock, etc. I don't mind having to use two hands to get it out or put it away, I'm just tired to having to take off the pack, unzip it, get the knife out, cut my webbing, put it away, put the pack back on, etc maybe a dozen times in a couple of hours. Another option would be to clip it to the outside of the pack, which gets thrown into pools and hauled up obstacles on a rope - about the same retention qualities would be needed.

Stainless and reasonable cheap are high on the list due to the water and good chance of loss. I've found a bunch of stuff that could work, depending on how tightly they retain the knife. Since I would expect most neck knives to favor an easy draw, I'm concerned about just ordering blind and losing the thing first trip.

Things I'm considering so far are:

CRKT
side hawg - funky sheath
F4 carson
Falcon
Neck Peck
Spyderco SPOT
Benchmade 160 tether
Nemesis Hellion
Cold Steel Bird and Trout
Camillus Arclite
AG Russell hunters scalpel

I've left out any knife with a T shaped handle - too likely to hang up on stuff. I've left off the ever-popular HAK due to price, ditto the Bitterroot.

I'm also considering one of the Buck Revolutions with the built in carabiner clip, but would prefer a fixed blade if possible due to all the grit it's going to encounter.

Thanks for your opinions!

Gordon
 
I had a Carson F4 and loved it, the sheath was my only problem with it though. It would drop out every once in a while. I ended up losing it of course... I would stay away from the F4 for the type of stuff you'll be doing.

Hmm, maybe i just ended up getting a faulty sheath...Thought i should mention it anyway.
 
The F4 is REALLY tiny. I don't own one but they carry them at the outdoor store I go to a lot in town and they'r itty bitty little things. That Becker Necker looks like a good knife for the money, just looking at pics, but the Kydex will need to be adjusted by the sound of it (too tight).
 
I use my F4 in my truck, it's easy to use and really makes a good light utility knife, it's usually clipped to my visor. I don't, however, think it is suited to what you want it for. Maybe something like the CRKT Falcon fixed.
 
gaj999,
I love my AG Russell Hunters scalpel for fishing and mushrooming. Easy one hand use remvoving and replacing it in it's sheath. I would reccommend looking at the AG Russell Bird and Trout or Deer Hunter and getting the optional sheath that would allow neck carry. I have both but they are not configured for neck carry. The sheath really makes them easy to use one handed.
 
How about the older CRKT Ryan Plan B?
I think SMKW still has them for $11.99. Items 91-100, under CRKT.
Tough, small package. Maybe what you're looking for. Maybe not. :)

Bill
 
The Becker Necker is on solid neck knife. Some don't like the handle. It seems to suit me but I haven't done any heavy cutting with it. Its a tad heavy but not bad.

The Cold Steel Bird & Trout is tiny tiny. Like a razor blade with a strip of metal for a handle. Its sharp and light but I don't know how great it would be as your only knife.
 
I have a Camillus ArcLite and it requires a pretty good tug to get it out of the sheath. Another plus for you is that the 420HC is not likely to rust as some of the "better" stainless steels will. I basically use mine as a yard and garden knife, just leaving it out in the garage. It doesn't get any special treatment and I have only seen some very minor rust spots.
 
I love neck knives. i would consider the Fehrman Thru Hiker: solid, solid, solid! ut the most reliable retention systems for me include rare earth magnets, a la Bud Nealy.
Be careful around pacemakers and mines, though. ;)
 
I'll clarify a bit. I don't need heavy-duty at all, I'm just cutting webbing. One of the keychain SAKs would probably be beefy enough, although marginal. Since I'm wearing a wetsuit, I have no pockets and limited options for sheathing. Non-stainless is an issue, fancy saltwater resistant stuff is not a requirement.

Size and weight are concerns: The Through-Hiker and Becker Necker are overkill in size and weight and non-stainless to boot. Pretty much any POS stainless blade should work as long as it doesn't come out of the sheath easily. Anyone who's had an experience with this kind of knife where they hated it because it was hard to get out of the sheath should speak up, I probably am interested in that knife.

Thanks, Gordon
 
get a CRKT F4, take it apart and polish the beadblast off... then contact Kit about one of his own kydex sheaths. Well worth the extra time and money to modify the package.

I'm getting another f4 and carson rig soon. Sold my last one when I was a little short of cash(along with 5-6 other toys).
 
I would highly recommend a Becker Necker. I've had mine for 2 months now and it has become my primary carry along side my 806d2. I paracord wrapped my handle and it looks sweet!
 
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