Neck Knives?

Runs With Scissors

Runs With Scissors

Joined
Dec 3, 2000
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It seems that neck knives are about the trendiest, coolest things to hit the knife market since one handed folders, but I do have some questions and concerns about them that I really haven't heard many people address.

For general work, I'd pretty much learned from day one to avoid loose clothing, unnecessary items, and jewelry due to the potential of avulsions, or getting pulled into a piece of machinery. This wisdom has proven itself accurate under a couple of different ocassions. Once when I ignored the rules and had a necklace ripped off my neck and pulled into a wood chipper, (glad I lost my crucifix instead of my head) and once when a co-worker got his shirt sleeve caught in an auger and had his arm twisted well beyond a 360. Needless to say, the gent is no longer capable of construction work.

For self-protection, I will admit outright that I've had very little training. Mostly Collegic and Freestyle wrestling and a little bit of Judo. But, once again, when learning Judo one of the very first things that was pointed out to me was that you don't want something on your neck that could be used against you in an altercation.

So, obviously these lil' titbits of info go against about everything I've heard neck knives were good for. I've heard mention of break away chains, but it seems kinda self-defeating to carry a knife via a system that's basically designed to come apart in an event of fast paced, physical action in which you may very well want that knife in a bad way.

Another concern I've wondered about is a neck knife swinging around on a chain or string seems like it could lead to a rather inconsistent draw, especially if in a precarious position you could very well be trying to cut away from.

I Do use them on ocassion, and absolutely love having a Blackie Collins Buddy System on my neck when canoeing, flying in a small plane. But, I just can't get comfortable with the idea of carrying one on any ocassions other than those two.

Do I have an unreasonable phobia goin' on here? Perhaps theres something in the concept I've yet to thoroughly consider? I certainly can't be the only person here to have these concerns. So, if You've got a perception on this topic or any information, please enlighten me!
 
I think you raise perfectly valid points.

* Obviously, if you work around machinery and it's inadvisable for you to wear jewelry, it probably isn't a good idea for you to wear a neck knife. However, if the knife is always under your shirt, I'd say that's a lot safer than if it's hanging freely.

* The whole concept behind the break-away chains is that they're strong enough to stay intact if you yank the knife free from the sheath, but weak enough to break if someone grabs the sheath or the chain itself. I don't think there's any need to worry that you'd sever the chain drawing the knife, no matter how hard you pulled the knife handle.

* Now, regarding the possibility of an inconsistent draw, that's a real concern where self-defense is concerned. A heavier knife like the Arclite generally stays oriented as you've put it on, provided it's under your shirt -- but the Buddy System I'm wearing right now frequently reverses, so the thumbolt is sometimes on the "wrong" side. If your neck knife is a self-defense blade rather than a utility blade, I'd stay with kydex sheaths (since they rely on friction) rather than on some sort of button release.

Now, the reason I like my neck knives so much is that they allow me to carry a fixed-blade knife unobtrusively in office attire. The sporting and utility uses you mentioned are also perfect applications for knives like the Buddy System. Obviously, everyone's needs are going to be different. I don't think you're being phobic, but I also think the disadvantages of neck knives can be neutralized through careful selection of a sheath compatible with your intended use (and by carrying the knife under the clothing rather than exposed, to give it some stability).

Obviously, a neck knife worn under a shirt is not necessarily a "quick draw" self-defense blade. But there are better carry systems for those applications (IWB sheaths spring immediately to mind).
 
Chain vs. cord is probably the hottest debate in neck knives. The only advice I can offer is use what works best for the given circumstance you are wearing it for. They both have advantages/disadvantages.
I frequently carry a neck knife pinned inside a jacket.

Paul
 
I find myself more and more inclined to buy and carry small Fixed Blade Knives designed as Neck Knives but I carry them on my belt or in my pocket.
 
Hey Runs....

As Paul has said,, cord vs. chain has been very much debated in the forums...

My counterpart Mike Sastre from River City Sheaths is a firm believer in bead chain.He has had Very good success with it,using it on hundreds if not thousands of his neck rigs with very little if any problem..

I however on the other hand don't like it myself because of the possibility of it breaking at a very inoppertune moment...

The arguement both for and against cord has very valid points. I just like the thought and knowing that my blade will produce itself sheath free each and every time.

The problem I can see is fatigue of the bead chain after countless numbers of dry firing the knife.. The one time you may need to rock and roll with it,,may be the time its going to blow a bead...I don't like not knowing when or if it will ever happen...

More than likely it won't,,but what if?

I have a comment though for you and your necklace,and your buddy with the arm thing happening...

You both got WAY to close to machinery...:)

In a fight if your opponent gets ahold of your neck rig, you've let him get WAY to close. Strangulation by cord during a fight is a rare thing.I'm not saying it can't/won't happen..I'm just saying that it's very rare,especially concidering your blade is more than likely going to be under a shirt...

Sure there is going to be arguments from people both for and against,,but this is good..Once we come up with a system that will allow cord to break free after a certain poundage, we'll be all set...

I would be using more bead chain if it broke at a little higher poundage...Maybe a thicker bead is in order...

However you weigh it you have to look at it as a very personal thing..What are your risks and how do you feel about the risk of having cord vs bead around your neck...

Very personal Indeed...

ttyle

Eric...
 
I use cord covered #3 stainless ball chain with an advertised 12 lb breakaway. In my opinion it is the best of both worlds. The comfort of cord and the safety of chain.

Just my opinion, but there is NO WAY I am going to hang anything around my neck that is stronger than my neck itself. I dont carry a neck knife as a defensive weapon, so I am not ever worried about chain breakage at an inoppertune moment.
 
I have a question for those that wear neck knives, how in the hell do you get to your neck knife without
a. unbuttoning your shirt if you are wearing a button down shirt around the office.
or
b.un tucking your shirt while wearing a tucked in shirt like a polo shirt at the golf course.

It seems like that is the least accessable place on your body unless you are wearing it openly on top of your shirt or are wearing a loose fitting un tucked shirt.

i'm not knocking neck knives because I really want to get one but I have serious doubts that I could get to it practically to use for either utility or defense.
 
I just reach into the neck of my shirt and pull the cord up. Granted, my Buddy System -- or whatever other neck knife I'm carrying -- is not intended for a quick self-defense draw.
 
I've been wearing a neck knife from the time I started making them. I use 550 cord, and also have "craft" chain. After reading this thread I started pulling on the chain. It breaks at about 40 lbs. I don't like it because it pulls hair so much.

I usually wear shirts that you don't tuck in. My knives are friction held kydex. I can pull it in less than 1 1/2 sec. None of your concerns haven't come up in the last 2 years. I have taken the cord off to wear inside the pants a few times (boot clip on the sheaths)

I love it. :D :D :D
 
I started wearing a neck knife about a year ago. My first one was a 'Lil Blue from Ray Kirk. I liked it so much that I started forging my own. Thanks for the idea Ray!

Ray uses elk hide thongs to hang his neck knives. That's one of the toughest animal skins and works great. But I like braided plumb bob line. It's nylon and usually yellow but lasts and lasts. Normally, I wear bib overhauls and just keep the knife under the bib. That works great but now and then the knife will swing out the side and get in the way. When that's a concern I just tuck the knife in a bib pocket and no more problem.

If I'm just wearing a t-shirt it always has a pocket. I don't like wearing a neck knife under a t-shirt so I just tuck the knife into my shirt pocket. When I'm wearing a long sleeve button down shirt I wear it inderneath the shirt over my t-shirt. I've learned to reach through the proper button holes and out it comes. I don't know how I got along without a neck knife for so long. I can't count the number of times I've pulled it out when my left hand was busy. I also carry a Benchmade mini AFCK, but the neck knife gives me a choice depending on what I'm getting ready to cut. I can always forge up a new necker but I ain't learned how to forge up one of them Benchmades yet ;)

Hey Larry, did that sammich have cheese on it? That would have made the difference for me.
 
I have used for years, a couple of Gerber knives with the spring in handle that locks it into the sheath. Before I knew about all these neck knives, that was what I wore on my neck. For the past year and a half I have worn a Livesay Woo Exe. It came with a cord lash. I replaced it with my dog tag chain mainly because that seems less noticable in t-shirt wear. The notted end of the cord seemed to big to me. I can not imagine getting dressed without putting on the Woo. As an aside I recently put a high polish on it. Now it looks as sweet as it performs. I think all the questions like this are a good thing as it makes us all try to think of the next better step we can take. That is how perfection is reached.
 
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