Neck Knives

[Wowbagger]

Even if it did happen then just push the sheath off with your thumb.

I mentioned I am often wearing gloves (soft insulated winter gloves) may be too slow or impossible with a hundred and fifty pound dog at my throat.

If that is happening your sheath is too tight or your chain is too cheap

How do I tell ? I guess I need to try pulling it when it is very cold. See how many times I break the chain. PITA if it breaks.

The sheath is perfect in moderate conditions. I am very pleased that it has never fallen out and is easy enough to draw.

As afar as pushing the sheath off with my thumb I even put a good size flat spot on one side of the handle so I can tell by feel with my thumb which way the edge is facing when I put the knife back into the sheath the same way ever time (assuming my gloves are off now). The blade shape and handle shape are symmetrical but is sharpened along one edge. I have practiced pulling it right and left handed so I can be sure of the orientation of the edge facing away from me or at least be sure of how I am presenting the edge when in the target every time with out looking.

I carried my Penleton Hunder 3V in this sheath shown bellow looped to my belt and pushed the sheath off with my thumb so I am used to doing that. This photo was when I was still grinding it thinner. The loop of the lanyard on my belt is all that can be seen.
This worked well for me but the dambed sheath dulled the edge rapidly.

PS: this knife was not for SD but only for a work knife.

 

[Lapedog]

I mentioned I am often wearing gloves (soft insulated winter gloves) may be too slow or impossible with a hundred and fifty pound dog at my throat.

How do I tell ? I guess I need to try pulling it when it is very cold. See how many times I break the chain. PITA if it breaks.

The sheath is perfect in moderate conditions. I am very pleased that it has never fallen out and is easy enough to draw.

As afar as pushing the sheath off with my thumb I even put a good size flat spot on one side of the handle so I can tell by feel with my thumb which way the edge is facing when I put the knife back into the sheath the same way ever time (assuming my gloves are off now). The blade shape and handle shape are symmetrical but is sharpened along one edge. I have practiced pulling it right and left handed so I can be sure of the orientation of the edge facing away from me or at least be sure of how I am presenting the edge when in the target every time with out looking.

I carried my Penleton Hunder 3V in this sheath shown bellow looped to my belt and pushed the sheath off with my thumb so I am used to doing that. This photo was when I was still grinding it thinner. The loop of the lanyard on my belt is all that can be seen.
This worked well for me but the dambed sheath dulled the edge rapidly.

PS: this knife was not for SD but only for a work knife.

View attachment 842755
View attachment 842754

Those fiberglass plastic sheaths drive me friggin crazy. They do dull the edge terribly.

 

[Wowbagger]

They are pretty ubiquitous, sold pretty much wherever I have bought paracord online. I bought a bag of five, then tested one until it broke. They hold strongly enough that you draw your knife like normal, but give it a much sharper tug and it pops open before you get more than a rub mark on your skin. You can bend the prongs out a bit more so it holds stronger, too, but then the breakaway force was enough to sting.

Thank you.
I have put the Cold Steel chain back on. A good excuse to shorten the chain but I made it just a tad longer than my paracord was which was a little too short; long story omitted.

I am going to yank the knife out of the sheath every day this week while in the cold and on the bike and see what happens. Just now in the shop after shortening the chain I yanked the knife suddenly out of the sheath and I thought sure the chain was going to break because it wasn't as easy as it can be to pull it out. Forty some degrees in the shop; about twenty outside.
Pulling slow and steady it pops out as expected. Yanking does not bode well for the life of the chain.

Who knows maybe it is stronger than I think.
If it breaks one or more times I will look for the breakaway clasps.

PS: sorry OP for hogging the thread maybe you are getting something out of this or the YouTubes I posted.

 

[DracoKrys]

Thank you.
I have put the Cold Steel chain back on. A good excuse to shorten the chain but I made it just a tad longer than my paracord was which was a little too short; long story omitted.

I am going to yank the knife out of the sheath every day this week while in the cold and on the bike and see what happens. Just now in the shop after shortening the chain I yanked the knife suddenly out of the sheath and I thought sure the chain was going to break because it wasn't as easy as it can be to pull it out. Forty some degrees in the shop; about twenty outside.
Pulling slow and steady it pops out as expected. Yanking does not bode well for the life of the chain.

Who knows maybe it is stronger than I think.
If it breaks one or more times I will look for the breakaway clasps.

PS: sorry OP for hogging the thread maybe you are getting something out of this or the YouTubes I posted.

It's all good I just wanted to see people's opinions on the matter! They just seemed like a strong concept to me.

 

[Wowbagger]

Just hard for me to leave that little chain as the weakest link in my defense as it were.

Well it broke today. Or let go is a better term. I exceeded the break away point.
So since about Feb 5th while commuting in winter weather on the bicycle I have pulled the knife out of the sheath twice a day. Once when I get to work and once when I get home. Part of what I am testing is how much effect cold has on the force required to get the knife out of a cold sheath.

Mostly the temps have been in the thirties and forties with a few days in the twenties.
Today the temp in the morning was between 9 and 15 degrees. It was nine when I left and there was some sun so it must have been warmer by the time I got to work. Although figure about a 15 mph plus wind chill.

Anyway I pulled up to work and pulled the knife and it did deploy from the sheath; I went to put it back in and it felt crunchy, may have been the serrated blade got a little crooked going back into the sheath ( I had very heavily insulated fingered gloves on ).

When I got inside I lifted the chain over my head but I suppose it could have been tangled in a fold of my clothing so it felt in tact. When I went to put it over my head to go home that was when I discovered it was separated. At first I suspected I had cut the chain with the serrated blade putting it back in the sheath but the separation was right at the connecting link. It does feel loosey goosey when connected so it probably spread the end of the connecter enough to pull through . . . being springy sheet metal it closed up a little after.

Who knows maybe there is another explanation. That's my experience for today with the stock Cold Steel neck knife chain.

 

[Phixt]

One of the problems with a neck knife is that if you have to run, the knife may chip your teeth or blacken your eye as it bounces. Another issue is that it takes two hands to put the knife back into its sheath. However, an FRN Manbug in a Kydex sheath is pretty light (less than an Oz.)

A pre req for all my neck knives is onehand operation. I love em all.

 

[link2derek]

The only time I have a knife around my neck (or slung over my shoulder) is during winter when I'm bundled up and need to access a fixed blade frequently. Otherwise, I don't like anything around my neck (from a comfort standing, if anything).

 

[DrRollinstein]

There are a few i'd wear. Like the Crkt's. But i wouldnt spend anything over 40 dollars most likely. Its not like the majority of people that wear them use them as an EDC, so a super expensive one generally wouldnt make sense. I had one of those cheap budk ones way back in the day and i thought i was the coolest cat out there, admittedly.

 

[Faiaoga]

The only time I have a knife around my neck (or slung over my shoulder) is during winter when I'm bundled up and need to access a fixed blade frequently. Otherwise, I don't like anything around my neck (from a comfort standing, if anything).[/QUOTE 728-3212 b

 

[rje58]

I have a couple of neck knives, but one thing to remember is to always be aware of knife laws wherever you are carrying your knife. In some cities, states and countries, concealing a fixed blade knife OF ANY SIZE BLADE is illegal! So a fixed blade neck knife with a 1-inch blade worn under your shirt might be a crime - depending on where you are doing it.

Which is insane, I know. But unfortunately many laws make no sense.

 

[Faiaoga]

I can see a neck knife for someone working on a ladder or stated in a canoe but otherwise not. I have never really tried one and probably will not ever wear one.

 

[Basp2005]

This is my favorite. Stainless steel, non wraped handle. I prefer this so I can use it and wash it off in the sink, dry it off and back in the sheath it goes. Doesn't hold moisture, germs, or dirt like a cord wrapped handle does. Homemade kydex lies flat. It's nice to be lounging around in your boxers and a tshirt and still have a knife on you.

 

[koenigsegg]

I've been wearing a neck knife for about 3 years now. I forget I'm even wearing it most of the time. I started off with a CRKT min cause it was cheap and found it locally but then I got a Tops MSK and wore that for 2.5 years now I have a EKT Companion. It's about the same size and weight and I do not notice it is there. If I have to run I tuck it in my shirt or put it in my pocket. I use paracord with no release clasp as I always figured if I'm being choked I can use one of the 3 knives I have to cut the cord or the person choking me. Hasn't been an issue yet. I really like it when I'm around the house because I don't have to carry a folder. I can also put the knife back with one hand. Find one you like the looks of and go for it. You can always carry it in the pocket or on your belt if you don't like it on your neck.

 

[herisson]

I recently found out that neck knives are apparently a thing, what are your opinions on them? Do you use them? Why?

Fixed knives in a sheath seem like they would be uncomfortable but I could see a small 2-3 inch folder like a Spyderco Grasshopper being ok.

Some fixed knives with blades up to 4" can be quite confortable to neck carry on a daily basis.

 

[herisson]

This is my favorite. Stainless steel, non wraped handle. I prefer this so I can use it and wash it off in the sink, dry it off and back in the sheath it goes. Doesn't hold moisture, germs, or dirt like a cord wrapped handle does. Homemade kydex lies flat. It's nice to be lounging around in your boxers and a tshirt and still have a knife on you.

Is this the Becker D'Eskabar or the very similar ESEE Izula ? Very nice little knives, both of them.

 

[herisson]

I've been wearing a neck knife for about 3 years now. I forget I'm even wearing it most of the time. I started off with a CRKT min cause it was cheap and found it locally but then I got a Tops MSK and wore that for 2.5 years now I have a EKT Companion. It's about the same size and weight and I do not notice it is there. If I have to run I tuck it in my shirt or put it in my pocket. I use paracord with no release clasp as I always figured if I'm being choked I can use one of the 3 knives I have to cut the cord or the person choking me. Hasn't been an issue yet. I really like it when I'm around the house because I don't have to carry a folder. I can also put the knife back with one hand. Find one you like the looks of and go for it. You can always carry it in the pocket or on your belt if you don't like it on your neck.

Plus one. It seems that a necker knife fits your lifestyle or just doesn't. I appreciate to never be without a knife : even in the swimming pool, in the tub, the shower or on the john, whatever... Some do very well at this special application, some (even intended for...) do not convince. It's a trial and error procedure but you get to try a lot of nice little knives.

 

[KAEDC]

I love the size of neckers, but I just belt carry, I don’t need my wife to think I’m nuttier than she already does....

 

[Phixt]

There are a few i'd wear. Like the Crkt's. But i wouldnt spend anything over 40 dollars most likely. Its not like the majority of people that wear them use them as an EDC, so a super expensive one generally wouldnt make sense. I had one of those cheap budk ones way back in the day and i thought i was the coolest cat out there, admittedly.

Dude, that's all projection. You buying a $40 neck knife from BudK says it all.

My neck knives stay under the outer shell, out of sight, and are used daily for food prep (in place of a paring knife), cutting things open, and whatever else a knife can be used for.

 

[Jocephus1]

I’ve got a Tops mini scandi that I carry sometimes.

Bought it to compliment my Tops bob when I go camping instead of carrying a folder. I really like it in my kayak and my canoe. I forget it’s there.

 

[Wowbagger]

I forgot to mention in my separated chain post that the serrated blade is now stupid dull. I never use the knife; it's just for dog defense and before the chain testing it was well cared for scary sharp.

Love those Cold Steel sheaths.
Oh . . . wait . . . I'm lying again.