Neck knives - gimmicky or useful?

cchu518

cchu518

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Mar 6, 2013
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Hi folks,
I have a question being a knife newbie. I use and prefer mostly smallish knives with 2.5" to 3" blade lengths max. I recently put a mini-grip user for a cheapie knife combo deal in the the trades. One of the deals offered included a Boker neck knife. Kinda intrigued me, as I was thinking about my actual use of knives cutting boxes and gardening/yard work. One of the things that I often find a pain when using a knife is having to close the folder while continuing my task and putting the folder in my pocket/taking it out. I got to thinking I could put some bungee cord through the kydex holes and strap it to my arm while working, problem solved.

Anyhow for those that use 'em do you like the blade lengths of neck knives and do you find them handy in actual use or does it just wear like jewelry for you? Thinking about going forward with the trade vs waiting for something which won't materialize in all likelihood. Love the mini-grip of course its a terrific knife. I reach for it 9 out of 10 times but that said its just a tool.
 
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Off to General Knife Discussion.
 
Small fixed blades are my prefered carry now i still like folders but i find they are easier to carry than i originally thought and very usefull once you start using one, they can go neck carry most will fit in my pockets in their sheaths and also on the belt
 
I don't usually carry around my neck, but often carry an Izula in my pocket, or on my belt. It is quite convenient to get it in-hand, but re-sheathing it takes about as much time, if not more, than a folder with a clip. Usually requiring 2 hands, as well. I have to either have the sheath within line of site (on my belt) which means I have to lift my shirt, and see around my belly, or in the other hand, if going back into a pocket. I would imagine re-sheathing a knife on a neck cord would be just as difficult.

Re-sheathing may become easier, with practice, though, depending on the material and fit.

In use, a 2.5-3" blade will get everything done you might need.
 
Is this because of how form fitting kydex is? I'm thinking of strapping one on my arm while working in the yard. Basically just using it as a yard tool vs EDC'ing it.

Daniel Dorn said:
I don't usually carry around my neck, but often carry an Izula in my pocket, or on my belt. It is quite convenient to get it in-hand, but re-sheathing it takes about as much time, if not more, than a folder with a clip. Usually requiring 2 hands, as well. I have to either have the sheath within line of site (on my belt) which means I have to lift my shirt, and see around my belly, or in the other hand, if going back into a pocket. I would imagine re-sheathing a knife on a neck cord would be just as difficult.

Re-sheathing may become easier, with practice, though, depending on the material and fit.

In use, a 2.5-3" blade will get everything done you might need.
Click to expand...
 
Most of my FBs are in the range you like. I do find them useful. In fact, I've found that a 2 1/2" - 3" blade does 99% of the cutting I do day-to-day. Small FBs work very well for me. Carry method is critical with FBs. If you find a FB that you like, remember that you can have a sheath made to fit both you and the knife.
 
I too mostly carry small fixed blades, some of which are "neck knives", in a pocket or belt sheath. When I carry as a neck knife it is often when it is impractical or awkward to carry in pocket or or belt such as when wade fishing, kayaking or streaking. Some have just too short a handle for my liking and I tend to gravitate towards ones in the 6"-7" OA length range. If you have a 3 finger handle adding a small paracord or leather loop to the lanyard hole can allow you to have a better grip by inserting your pinky finger in the loop.
 
Neck knives seem like they would just get in the way unless you were out in the woods. I do carry "neck" sized knives on my belt. They are nice and small so they don't frighten fragile people :D
 
Kydex can be pretty tight. I have a custom -made Kydex sheath for a Bali-song that would choke me before letting go in neck-carry. I have one for the Izula that's a bit looser, and can easily be drawn one-handed. It's so small, though, that it would have to be strapped down pretty good to allow one-handed insertion.
 
Not gimmicky at all. Very handy, and I have no trouble getting one in and out of kydex with one hand.
 
Neck Knives just get in the way ~~ small Knives that I use I have a Leather Sheath made for them for my Belt or to just put inside Pants with Sheath in the small of my back.* That way if need be I can get to them a lot faster than an ugly Kydex Sheath Knife wrapped around my Neck trying to strangle me.**
 
Daniel Dorn said:
I have one for the Izula that's a bit looser, and can easily be drawn one-handed. It's so small, though, that it would have to be strapped down pretty good to allow one-handed insertion.
Click to expand...

Is that the one with the green kydex you got from me ?
I tried that one and had no problem getting it in the sheath with one hand while around my neck.
I insert the knife a bit and then raise the sheath up so its 90 degrees to my sternum. The closed end is then againt my sternum and I just push the knife the rest of the way in.
 
I like compact fixed blades, but I don't carry them around my neck. I tried it a few times but it never grew on me. Pocket carry or just a belt sheath work better for me.
 
I insert the knife a bit and then raise the sheath up so its 90 degrees to my sternum. The closed end is then againt my sternum and I just push the knife the rest of the way in.
Click to expand...

That's exactly how I do it. :thumbup:
 
i think I could learn to love a necker sized FB, but can't conceal them in Cali so it's a no go. Though I'd probably use a pocket sheath.
 
I carried an Izula around the neck for about a summer, a couple years ago now. It was a well made knife, but neck carry was kind of a pain in the ass compared to just carrying my usual pocket knife, and it didn't have any advantages that I could see. I ended up getting rid of it because I had no use for it after that.

For me it was a neat idea, and it was definitely doable, but it was more of a hassle than pocket carry with no added advantage. I can't imagine doing it in the winter, when the neck knife is buried under several layers of heavy clothing.
 
I love neck knives... Here is one a carry often...

[video=youtube_share;IDXuS66ckuw]http://youtu.be/IDXuS66ckuw[/video]
 
What I like about FB neck knives is the size. I carry them in a pocket sheath though, not a neck sheath.
 
Never really bought in to the neck knife idea. Tried it for a while, but never saw the utility of that method of carry. For EDC stuff, my folders get the job done. For garden/yard stuff, my Mora in belt sheath does everything I ask it to do. If I have my shirt tucked, I can resheath with one hand, and don't even have to look (yep, I've been doing it a while).
 
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