Neck Knives?

J

Jack Goertz

Joined
Feb 28, 1999
Messages
91
My interest has been consumed by folders up to now. However, having made a purchase I notice references to neck knives. How many knife makers are competing in this market? How practical are these knives and how many forumites use them? I see Round Eye offers a couple. The steel they use is easily corroded (1095 I think), and considering that the thing is carried close to the skin, that could be trouble. I'm on a fishing expedition here, to see if I can educate myself some on this type of knife.

Any information would be appreciated. Thanks,

Jack

 
Jack,

I do believe you are getting hooked on knives.
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For production companies making neck knives check out Cold Steel, Gigand, CRK&T and Mission. Mission is changing the MPU to A2 which is not stainless while the first three are using stainless AUS6 or 8. Somebody mentioned that BM's Nimravus cub is coming out soon and I think that's in ATS34. It's smaller and the sheath can probably be adapted for neck carry (probably better than the bulkier stiff kiss plastic sheath.) I suspect if you are really worry about rust, you may want to use something like marine tuf cloth to coat and protect the blade.

Many custom makers also carry a neck knife model or can make one in the steel of your choice. You'll paid a higher price, of course.
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In terms of use, you would use it like any other small folder. The difference is the form of carry. For defensive purposes though a fixed blade is said to be faster in deployment. Personally, I am a flyfisherman. I can see how a neck knife would be much better than a folder in the wader.

sing
 
Jack,

There have been quite a few threads on neck knives over the past few months. Try doing a search and you will probably find more than enough information to thoroughly confuse you
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Take care,
Clay

"If you are going to walk on thin ice, you might as well dance". Anonymous

 
Jack,
FYI, I've worn my REKAT Hobbit Fang almost daily for over a year and have had no problem whatsoever with corrosion. I simply wipe the blade occasionally with a silicon cloth (more recently a Tuff Cloth) to protect the uncoated edge.

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Cheers,

--+Brian+--

 
For a neck knife primer/ article refer to page 34 of TK magazine 01/ 98- "Winners By A Neck". Nice pics also.

L8r,
Nakano

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"To earn a million is easy, a real friend is not."
 
Jack,

Don't worry about the REKAT neck knives being 1095, they're coated a/ Black Teflon to inhibit rusting. In addition to that, you could use a Marine Tuf-cloth. I have been fishing w/ my REKAT Fang a few times, and it's the ATS-34 version--hasn't started to rust a bit. I also use a STIFF KISS, and find the sheath (for fishing purposes only) very light and comfortable. However, the edge retention is no where near that of ATS-34. I've also got a Livesay G-45, and that's a pretty good knife, and I've taken that fishing, too. Of the three, though, I'd probably take the Fang. That's b/c it's got more options, the best steel of the three, and is the best compromise of weight, form, and functionality right outta the box. I'm a flyfisherman like sing, so I don't want to tote around too much bulk. So there's my choice, go w/ the Roundeye Fang or the Utility, drill some holes in the sheath for more drainage, maybe cordwrap the handle, and there you go. Can't tell you anything about the Gigand knife, but I can tell you that the Cold Steel Para Edge is too damn small! Are you saltwater fishing? If so, make sure you take Marine Tuf-Cloth w/ ya!
 
Thank you all for the information. I also flyfish - in salt water mostly. I tipped over in Puget Sound one day (wading too deep), soaked myself from the wader belt north, and brined my Glock 23. I'm happy to report Glocks really don't rust. I can just imagine going in with a 1095 blade however, that could ruin my whole day. Tuff Cloth sounds like a must for me. As with Sing, going digging for a knife in the waders is like trying to climb into a straight jacket. The neck location for a knife seems like a great soluton.

The hunt is on!

Jack
 
Jack,
Folders can also be adapted to neckwear with a Concealex or Kydex sheath. The Spydercos work best for deploying blade on the draw because of the opening hole. I've been using folders as neck knives for several years and find it a handy way of carrying in a lot of situations.

Mike
 
Okay, Jack,

I'll admit to something stupid. I used to carry a SAK in my wading tackle bag which gets periodic soaking as I wade. Gee, where did all that rust come from...?
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sing
 
Now you guys have really apprehended my interest. Are you telling me that someone, somewhere, makes an unabrusive, secure sheath for say a Wegner Jr. which can be worn around the neck? Under loose fitting clothes, or when fishing, that would be a useful arrangement. If it exists, where might I find one?

Jack
 
You tipped over in Puget Sound? Where do you live, anyway? Going after those sea-run cutts? Maybe some salmon? Can't imagine flyfishing for lings or halibut.
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Anyway, the reason why I ask is b/c if you live on the Sound or near it, you might want to contact Blade-Tech. They're in Tacoma, and they market kydex and concealex. I was told by a guy that you should really just buy a sheet of the stuff and make the sheath yourself. In any case, you should give them a call. Haven't done any business w/ them, but I know that they're close to where I live (I live on Puget Sound, too). Also, I'm assuming you have chest waders. Why not get a neck knife w/ a sheat that you can lash to one of your shoulder straps. I bought a harness intended for hiking, and have taken the damn thing fishing during warm weather (vest hot, harness good!) w/ a STIFF KISS (could be any knife, though) lashed to the right shoulder strap. It worked a lot better than neck carry. Besides that, when I fish w/ a neck knife, and bend down to land a fish, or bait a hook, or tie a fly or even when I'm on my back cast, it sometimes gets tangled in my movements. If you've got it inside your waders, you still have to pull it up by the chain or dig around. I'm also assuming you wear a vest when you're wading (who doesn't?). In that case, if it's lashed onto one of your shoulder straps, all you have to do is reach inside (I lashed mine upside down) and voila! Whoa! That was a long tangent! Anyway, give Blade-Tech a call.
 
Jack,
Since you asked, I make concealex sheaths for most of the Spydercos (Wegner Jr. included) that can be worn as a neck sheath or attached to backpacks, etc. You can also contact Bladetech if you want to get materials to make your own. I originally made a sheath for attaching a rescue knife to my kayaking life vest and now have a business making sheaths for folders and other custom sheaths. Email if you want more info.

Mike
 
You can also use your Spyderco folder as a neck knife with just a plain military dog chain. I have carried a Delica on my dog tags in the past. You just use the clip over the chain. Try it, it might work for ya.


Blades
 
How is the neck knife as far as ease of access compared to regular pocket carry?

Any problems with rust and/or catching on clothing?

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God bless!

Romans 10:9-10

"Military" Fans Unite!!

 
William,
Neck carry of folders or fixed blades is very easy provided the weight is kept low. Deployment is much easier in any seated situation and neck carry is a lot more low profile. Seven to eight months out of a year, I dress in shorts(swim trunks) and a t-shirt, and neck carry is more practical for me. I carry a Spyderco G-10 Harpy in a neck sheath daily(and/or Civilian or Military) and have not had a problem with rust even though I typically spend 20 hours/week in the water and live in a humid area. Draw from beneath a t-shirt is quick and also can be done from under a dress shirt if you leave strategically placed button undone. A properly made neck sheath for a folder will allow you to, deploy blade on the draw and many times is quicker to get into action than folder from pocket.

Mike
 
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