Not "getting" the usual neckers

[KarlMaldensNose]

Just wondering why when the subject of neck knives comes up, the same usual suspects--Izula, Becker Necker, Bravo Necker--are mentioned, when to my mind there would seem to be many other, more appropriate choices just within the Bark River brand alone. I'm thinking specifically of the Mikro Canadian, PSK, Micro Drop Point, Micro Tusk, Little Creek, and Pro Scalpel. All of these models are shorter and around the same weight, if not lighter in some cases. There are even more Bark River models--Pro Drop Point, Imp, Mini Canadian--that come in around the same size/length (some shorter, especially than the Becker) but are just bit heavier. Is it because of their thicker handles not lending themselves particularly well to being worn under a shirt? I'd imagine a lot of neckers also get carried with sheath in pockets, and if that's the case then the shorter Bark Rivers I mentioned would seem to make more sense. Even though their handles are thicker, they are not as wide/broad as those on Izulas et al... again another plus. Comments, opinions?

Even though I'm holding out for a custom necker, I figured I'd try out a production piece just for fun. And of course I went through the usual bunch of considerations, but I think I might just end up with a PSK instead. To me it makes much more sense as a neck knife than what Bark River markets and calls their neck knife, the Bravo Necker.

 

[SwimmingBird]

I can't speak much to using it as a necker, since I don't much care for the feel of a ballchain necklace, but I definitely like the Izula as a belt knife. It isn't too wide, and the slimness in terms of thickness is a definite plus (we'll see how that changes when the new scales come out later this month). I thin what I like about it is that it's slim and minimalist. It's also thick, but not absurdly so, in my opinion.

It's late, so I dunno if that's particularly helpful or not, but I hope it's input that is at least somewhat worthwhile

I've always liked the looks of those little Bark Rivers, much moreso than the new necker...

 

[Lock1454]

Those popular knives you mentioned all come with skeletonized handles and sleek kydex sheaths which securely lock the knives into an inverted position for easy draw.

I'm not terribly familiar with BRKT's offerings so please forgive me if I am mistaken with the following. But if I'm not mistaken, BRKT's usually come with leather sheaths and slabbed handles don't they ? Bulkier package for under the shirt carry coupled with the fact leather would probably not be a great choice of material for constant contact with sweaty skin.

 

[knerd]

I think it comes down to price. If I'm going to spend ~$100 for a knife I want a good sized folder or a decent fixed blade (i.e. not a small "necker"). I'll spend ~$50 max for a small/necker fixed blade, anymore than that and I'd reconsider getting a larger knife.

 

[Robert.B]

I'd recommend the BM Snody 210TK I have the 210 but the 210TK has the kydex sheath for vertical hanging...even with the leather sheath its proven itself a useful knife!

 

[IUKE12]

I use my BR Micro Canadian as a necker almost exclusively. I just ran a cord through the belt loop of the leather sheath and used it like that until getting a custom kydex sheath. The smaller Bark Rivers do make fine neckers. The PSK seems to be ideal for this purpose as well.

 

[mdauben]

I'm not terribly familiar with BRKT's offerings so please forgive me if I am mistaken with the following. But if I'm not mistaken, BRKT's usually come with leather sheaths and slabbed handles don't they ?

BRKT Bravo Necker

The Bravo Necker, at least, comes with a skeletonized handle and many of their knives come with kydex sheaths, depending on model and some times handle material. Still, you are right that many of the other Barkies recomended do come with slabbed handles.

I think a more significant issue is price and availability, however. Barkies are first rate knives, but they also tend to be a bit more expensive than equivalent products more main stream prodution knives (ex. Bravo Necker has a street price of around $70 compared to around $50 for the Izsula). BRKT's production schedule also means that many of their specific knives go through in/out of production cycles where as products from RAT/ESEE are more consistently available.

 

[Lock1454]

Thanks for the correction. I knew the Necker came with a Kydex sheath (yay firesteel), but the OP mentioned it in his list of accepted neckers so I was mainly addressing other BRKTs

 

[cziv]

I prefer the Izula for pocket carry in a custom kydex sheath. I had it made with jimping on the top (spine of the sheath) to reach into my pocket and swiftly release the knife.

It is extremely lightweight and I've never taken it out of my pocket in a couple of months. I have to pat my pocket once in awhile to make sure it's in there.

I also have a Spyderco Street Beat with thick micarta scales. It's a beautiful "neck knife" but it's a very rare ocassion that I carry it over the Izula. The handle is too fat.

I wouldn't consider a neck knife for me personally, as I want to be able to get the knife out as quickly as possible and I wouldn't like something rubbing the middle of my chest all the time.

Just thought I'd share my limited experience. I like pocket carry and the key is the sheath for comfort.

 

[Blop]

If i were looking for short blades with a medium stock, i would have taken the Bark River knives as mentioned above.

But, the Izula, Bravo Necker an Becker Necker fill a niche between a usual fixed blade, belt worn and the common neck knife. They are a good bit smaller than a short belt knife but large enough to cut everything, where a neck knife sometimes is to small or uncomfort.

The feature a massive stock, whereas neck knives are a bit thinner. Not that this a bad thing, but personal taste goes that way.

Overall, those three knives might be worn around the neck, but IMHO they are better worn in pockets just like folders.

 

[Dag-nabit]

I agree with the general consensus here. Almost any small knife would be suitable as a necker, if equiped with the proper sheath.

The Fallkniven WM1 and G1 come with a factory sheath suitable for neck carry, and they are "thicker" handled knives as are many of the BRKT models already mentioned.

Kevin

 

[hoopster]

I think the thickness is one of the bigger factors. Even with a cord wrap I can wear the Izula under nothing more than a t-shirt and it never looks odd or noticeable. That and the price. A lot of those Bark rivers are over twice as much $. That's not to say that there aren't quite a few other knives that would work great as a necker. All they need is the proper sheath.

 

[Todd A]

I don't get it either. I don't wear knives around my neck, but I love "necker sized" knives. They are great for pocket carry. I had a BK11 and EDC'ed it for a few months. It worked and it is a great knife but without a full set of scales it isn't comfortable for extended use.

I have no intrest in the Izula for the same reasons.The short scales that will be offered for it just won't change my opinion either.

I would rather pay extra to have a knife that suits my needs.

 

[cziv]

It worked and it is a great knife but without a full set of scales it isn't comfortable for extended use.

How much of extended use would you require of a necker sized knife. I'm not trying to "bait" you at all, but I'm just curious.

I'm sure you've seen the YouTube video of the guy going through the pressure treated lumber in just over 5 minutes with a cord wrapped Izula - he did have a glove on though, but that's pretty amazing.

He's a forum member, I wish I could locate him to say "thanks" for his great videos!

 

[Reeek]

I agree that neck sized knives are better for clip or pocket carry but I have to say the Buck Mayo Kaala is the most confortable neck carrying neck knife I have worn so far relative to its size and blade length. Just lose the ball chain and put a piece of paracord in its place. It's not too bad at all.

That said, I carry my Becker Necker with a TDI clip mounted outwards and clipped to my belt between my pants waist and belt, placed between 4:00 and 4:30. I can barely feel it with the handle wrapped plus it rides high and concealed.

 

[Todd A]

How much of extended use would you require of a necker sized knife. I'm not trying to "bait" you at all, but I'm just curious.

The "spoon-like-object" started as a 1 1/2" diameter dead branch.

The knife in the middle is the above knife in a size comparision with my old BK11.

That knife is my daily carry knife. It is also often the only fixed blade I carry on hikes/camping. I enjoy the outdoors, and I spend the most time out there as I can. And seeing as I live in the sticks , that means my knives see a large amount of outdoors hard use.

What it looked like new..

And now..about ten months later...

 

[cziv]

Reeek - Check out this link for a very cool way to use paracord or leather (what he's gone to) to ensure a safe method of neck carry.

Keeps you from getting strangled!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bl271ngGMf8

BluntTuth if you're out there PM me guy!

 

[cziv]

Todd A

I figured you were a whittler maybe - and a good one, I see, at that!

What kind of knives are those that just have a K stamped on the blade?

Very nice! :thumbup:

 

[7rip13a]

Just wondering why when the subject of neck knives comes up, the same usual suspects--Izula, Becker Necker, Bravo Necker--are mentioned, when to my mind there would seem to be many other, more appropriate choices just within the Bark River brand alone. I'm thinking specifically of the Mikro Canadian, PSK, Micro Drop Point, Micro Tusk, Little Creek, and Pro Scalpel. All of these models are shorter and around the same weight, if not lighter in some cases. There are even more Bark River models--Pro Drop Point, Imp, Mini Canadian--that come in around the same size/length (some shorter, especially than the Becker) but are just bit heavier. Is it because of their thicker handles not lending themselves particularly well to being worn under a shirt? I'd imagine a lot of neckers also get carried with sheath in pockets, and if that's the case then the shorter Bark Rivers I mentioned would seem to make more sense. Even though their handles are thicker, they are not as wide/broad as those on Izulas et al... again another plus. Comments, opinions?

Even though I'm holding out for a custom necker, I figured I'd try out a production piece just for fun. And of course I went through the usual bunch of considerations, but I think I might just end up with a PSK instead. To me it makes much more sense as a neck knife than what Bark River markets and calls their neck knife, the Bravo Necker.

I somewhat agree. The BRKT PSK is definitely a tiny knife worthy of the neck-knife label, which implies that it is a backup knife. The Izula, Becker and Bravo Necker are larger knives, to the point where some use it exclusively as a fixed blade. Maybe "neck knife" has recently been associated with skeletonised fixed blades?

On the other hand, being skeletonised means that it does not leave as much of a print on the shirt if worn underneath. Maybe that's the idea: not so much size lengthwise, but effectiveness of concealed carry?

 

[Gadgetaholic]

Just wondering why when the subject of neck knives comes up, the same usual suspects--Izula, Becker Necker, Bravo Necker--are mentioned, when to my mind there would seem to be many other, more appropriate choices just within the Bark River brand alone.

I would suspect that the Izula is recommended because it is a good knife made with good steel and comes with a good sheath for hanging around the neck all for a good price. Why shouldn't it be mentioned? I like the fact that it is long enough but thin and light as well - it has a good length of blade for it's thickness and weight.
Presumably the Becker Necker and Bravo Necker offer similar advantages.

I generally like a bigger handle, but not so much for a knife worn around the neck. The skeletonized handle keep both the weight & the thickness down for more comfortable neck wearing.

I have a KA-BAR Becker BK-9 - it is a good knife with a big comfortable handle, but I wouldn't wear it around my neck. I think that it is just common sense to sacrifice some size and weight to make a knife suitable for its carry location/method. If you want a bigger blade and a 'proper' handle then go with a belt sheath and whatever knife suits your needs.