Neck knives: how do you carry them?

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AlphalphaPB

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I'm looking into buying some neck knives so that I can always have a knife on me, since I sometimes leave my EDC on the desk and forget about it.

Right now I'm wearing a Gerber LST, the 1.3 oz, 3.6" version on a neck strap that I took off of my Olympus camera. The strap is threaded through a round piece of plastic that has two holes in it, so I can tighten the strap around my neck. Here's some pictures:

Picture of LST + neck strap
Closeup picture of LST + neck strap

I usually tighten the little plastic button so that the knife hangs over my chest instead of over my belly. When I have to take the knife out, I just pull the black button to loosen up the cord.

I noticed that most neck knives seem to be on ball chains or parachute cord. When you use these, how do you prevent the knife from dangling too low, while keeping the strap loose enough to remove?

I also need to find a lightweight neck knife to wear. There's no way I'm going to wear 4 oz. of steel around my neck :)
 
OK, I'm stupid. :)

I guess you don't need to take the neck strap off the neck if you're using a sheath and a fixed blade... Duh. Haha.

But anyway, does anyone wear a folding knife on a neck strap, like me?
 
The main reason it's so popular is that it will break under excessive force, which insures that you won't be strangled if is catches on something or if someone grabs it.

It is easy to unsnap, which is how you get it on and off while keeping a small enough loop for comfortable carry.

The only problem with ball-chain is that it is not always comfortable against the skin. I picked up a tip, here on BladeForums, about how to fix that.

Take some 550 parachute cord and cut it to the same length as the chain. 550 consists of an outer sheath with a bundle of smaller cords inside. Pull out the stuff inside and slip the ball-chain through the sheath. You end up with a soft and comfortable neck cord that has all the advantages of ball-chain.

--Bob Q
 
Thanks for the useful tip. Earlier I was wondering about what to do if someone should try to strangle me with the neck strap, so I guess with a ball chain that problem's solved.

I'll try both the bare ball chain (that sounds gross, heh) and parachute cord over it. Since I live in pretty warm and moist environments (Baltimore & Hong Kong), I usually prefer to have metal objects next to the skin, as opposed to plastic/cloth/leather, since those get all sticky from the sweat.
 
Ball-chain is chest hair's natural enemy. Covering it with 550 shell works, but I've yet to have a ball chain that wouldn't break on a whim occasionally. My neck knife is also affectionately referred to as the "toilet knife" for that very reason:(
Unacceptable. I don't care for a carry method that is prone to spontaneous combustion.
I use knotted 3mm cord or 550 cord. If someone decides to choke you with the cord, great...pull the knife out of its now conveniently located sheath, and stab them repeatedly with it.
That'll teach 'em.
 
Chest hair's not really a problem, I'm Chinese. :D

I had already thought out how to get someone trying to strangle me from behind, but you worded it nicely. :)
 
AROUND MY NECK!!! (sorry I couldn't resist- :) )

That is a good question...

I carry a CRKT neck knife in a kydex sheath that came with it on a leather thong (great deal at like $27 USD with the sheath).

I also have carried my 'clipped' folders clipped to a leather thong around my neck.

I have used a lanyard system like you have in your pictures while working around water though. I would attach the knife to one end and a small carabiner style clip to the other. Easy to unclip, not so easy to loose.

BTW-do you carry your folder around your neck OPEN like in the pictures? Maybe that is why you have no chest hair!

Just kidding (again)-:)

Mongrel
 
Why dont you just invest in a EMERSON LAGRIFFE? About as lite and flat as you can get for neck carry not to mention its other attributes. Plus its the best of both worlds a utility/defense all in one.
 
I like neck knives but if they are even a little big I hang them from my belt into my front pocket. This method works great, fast access and all people see is a little cord going in your pocket. They are getting as much carry time as my folders.

I've had a Mini Talon around my neck for the last 3-4 months and have not taken it off except to shower and sleep. My wife is getting jealous of it. :D
 
I wear my neck knives in kydex sheaths attached to paracord. Fixed blades. I prefer dedicated neck knife sheaths as they are more slim than those that can double as a pocket or belt sheath.

As far as getting strangled... it's a possibility... but... it's also good to know choke escapes as-is... just in case I'm ambushed and don't have time to get a blade out.
 
Since I have a bear-belly, neck knives are somewhat cumbersome to wear. They tend to poke out from the middle of the stomach... :D
 
This one is one of my favorites. The way I tied the cord, it can be adjusted for size very easily.
 

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Originally posted by krept
I prefer dedicated neck knife sheaths as they are more slim than those that can double as a pocket or belt sheath.
Click to expand...

That is true of some designs, but definitely not all. The trick is to find a sheath that was designed primarily for neck carry that can be retro-fitted with a screw-on Tek-Lok or other belt loop. The ones that were designed for belt carry but also have holes for a cord usually are too bulky for ideal neck carry.

--Bob Q
 
Originally posted by Thomas J Ekman
Since I have a bear-belly, neck knives are somewhat cumbersome to wear. They tend to poke out from the middle of the stomach... :D
Click to expand...

I currently have the same problem. {sigh} However, I have found that neckers still work for me as long as the overall length is short (well under 6") and I adjust the cord so that it hangs in front of my sternum.

--Bob Q
 
And while I'm multiple posting... :rolleyes:

Keep in mind that the biggest issue with strangulation, at least in my opinion, is not with people using the cord manually. What I worry about is having the cord catch on something while either I, or the thing that catches it, are moving rapidly. Maybe growing up around a lot of people who were missing body parts from farm machinery has made me paranoid.

--Bob Q
 
Originally posted by OwenM
Ball-chain is chest hair's natural enemy. Covering it with 550 shell works, but I've yet to have a ball chain that wouldn't break on a whim occasionally.
Click to expand...

I've found this to be true myself with smaller diameter chain, both hair-ripping and spontaneous breakage. With the chain diameter Mike Sastre uses, I've never had these problems, and carry one of his sheaths that way on a daily basis.

One other trick re using 550 cord sheath on ball chain: in Janich's review of the Snody Ronin in the current TK, he mentions Snody uses a shortened length of 550 sheath so that a length of chain on the back of the neck is always exposed.

Another solution might be the "bra" Survival Solutions holster that Jerry VanCook mentioned in the previous issue.
 
Originally posted by eda-koppo
One other trick re using 550 cord sheath on ball chain: in Janich's review of the Snody Ronin in the current TK, he mentions Snody uses a shortened length of 550 sheath so that a length of chain on the back of the neck is always exposed.
Click to expand...

I also leave a section of ball-chain exposed, but I found that I still didn't like the feel of bare chain against my neck. My solution is to thread the snap closure through the sheath so that it rides on top of the kydex. Part of the chain is going to go there anyway, so why not make it the snap? :) This makes putting the sheath on and off slightly more of a nuisance, but not by much, and the comfort is well worth it for me.

--Bob Q
 
Once you've sized the neck chain for the "drop" you prefer, cut the para cord sleeve so it will just bracket the connector, then melt the sleeve to the chain. This will leave all but the connector covered and will still break away if needed. I have one customer that likes to use 1/4" sililcone fish tank hose for a sleeve. A little fat but way comfy.
 
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