Recommend: a "last ditch" small fixed blade (neck?) knife

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Aug 14, 2009
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I was looking for a small fixed blade, neck knife type knife. Hope that makes sense. Something small, thin, and lightweight. Not exactly like the Kabar Last Ditch Knife, but something like it.

I think the Hide Away Knife is perfect, I really like it, but I cant spend $70-140 on a knife. I was also looking at the Emerson La Griffe but its out of my price range as well. The Cold Steel Double Agent is kind of big and thick in size.

The only thing close and inexpensive that I could find was the Boker Plus and CRKT AGR Skinner Ringer III. Anybody have any one of these? If so, what are your thoughts?

Other than the HAK, is there any other 2 finger capsule hole knives out there? Or something similar?

Im not going to buy it in the immediate future, because I just bought a BK11 (thanks RescueRiley), but planning ahead doesnt hurt. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.
 
The CRKT Ringers arent bad, but the steel is soft. For a last ditch rarely used knife it would do fine with a nice edge on it. I have the hawkbill personally.
 
I'm a Hideaway nut myself, but admit it could be cheaper and don't recommend it to casual buyers. It's the only two-finger capsule knife of its kind with a patent on it. If the benchmark La Griffe gets ruled out (and chisel grind is fine for that usage type, won't argue about casual use)), you're in a tough niche. I'll say this much, both kinds of the Double Agent are...just plain costume pieces, they're bulkier than most knives with less blade for the size, and the dual-karambit idea they have just doesn't work comfortably in any grip. I modified my friend's sheath so he could actually draw the thing, it just lacks potential past the 'ain't it cool' appeal. Haven't handled the Boker MA-2...I keep looking for reviews of it just to figure out how you even hold it, I'm guessing you tuck the index finger into the slot to simulate a finger hole, which may give you the negative cutting angle is putting some small knives ahead of the rest in performance. Got the Ka-Bar LDK on sale to fill out a high shipping cost, wish I hadn't bothered, you just can't hold the thing.

Depending on how much blade you want, the Buck Hartsook/Smidgen model could work depending on whether you want to pay more for better steel/easier concealing black color for a tiny sliver of steel. CRKT has some smaller neckers you may want to take a look at, albeit they tend to be slightly larger 'users' instead of back-ups. I also recommend against push daggers, odds are you have a law against double-edges, they're about as people-friendly as a machete if seen accidentally.

EDIT: Was going to mention the Izula, but didn't know it could actually be found cheaper than the La Griffe...Now there's a knife, seeing it's cheaper than I thought I may just get one myself.
 
Have a look at the crkt minimalist. Looks to me like you could get quite a good grip a that little thing.
 
Its going to be a "last ditch" knife, so I guess CRKT's soft steel will do. But HAK has a patent on the "2 finger capsule hole" design? Yeah, Im not too fond of the CS Double Agent. And the Kabar LDK is a little too small and people say its hard to hold.

Im not really looking for a, for lack of a better description, straight blade knife. Im getting the Kabar Becker Necker so I kind of dont need a RAT Izula, Chris Reeve Pro Soldier, Benchmade Instigator, CRKT Stiff Kiss, Buck Mayo, Buck Smidgen/Hartsook, Cold Steel K4, cKc Hiker, or the like..

But the CRKT Folts Minimalist and Cold Steel Mini Tac are the closest style knives to what Im looking for, other than the HAK, La Griffe, CRKT Ringer, and Boker Plus.
 
If "last ditch" means self defense, don't rule out the La Griffe. Try one, you'll be convinced to spend the extra money. Imagine holding La Griffe in a fist fight or wrestling on the ground. And it's ideal size for neck carry, very compact.

Before I got the La Griffe I had a couple of CRKT Stiff KISSes. Very thin but longer and thus less comfy to carry. Plus the handle is very small. But last ditch is last ditch.

CRKT Ringer I find too small for anything. But it's a blade, anyway.

Edit: OK, so you don't need a straight blade knife. All the more reasonn to get the Griffe!

And you mentioned CS Mini Tac. I haven't handled one but I like the look on the skinner model.

Then of course there is the push dagger option, they come very flat . You may need to make a sheath yourself, though. They are more versatile than you might believe, and very good grip even for normal cutting.

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I recommend looking at the Izula as well, it's a heck of a knife, and a great value for the price.
 
I have the Folts Minimalist and it is a great neck knife! Incredible value for the price.

It has a flat-ground wharncliff blade that is great for slashing. Rips right through card-board.

This thing is so light-weight you'll forget you're wearing it.

Plus it comes with green/black micarta scales!

One heckava value!


John
 
The push dagger looks like it'll do the job but it'll probably get me in more trouble than good.

A lot of people seem to recommend the Izula, especially with its warranty, its very tempting.. but its not exactly what Im looking for.

The Spyderco Swick looks good. Havent heard much about this one.

The Kabar LDK was what got me thinking of this. However, its too small and gripping it seems like a nuisance.

So the HAK is the only knife of its kind eh..?

Here's my list of most desirable to least:

-HAK
-Emerson La Griffe
-Boker Plus MA-2
-CRKT Ringer III
-Spyderco Swick
-Chris Reeve Pro Soldier
-RAT Izula
-Buck Mayo
-Benchmade Instigator
-Cold Steel Mini Tac
-cKc Hiker
-CRKT Minimalist
-Buck Smidgen/Hartsook
-CRKT Stiff Kiss

But since price is a major factor, my top picks so far are:

-Boker MA2
-CRKT Ringer III
-Cold Steel Mini Tac
-Benchmade Instigator
 
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The Swick is great, but you need to make a sheath for it or have one made since it does not come with one.

The Swick and the LaGriffe are both very concealable and very easy to draw.

I like the looks of the Boker Plus MA-2. The grip looks very secure.
 
Check Michael Morris' Necker's they're good looking and he is member of these forums:
http://www.morrisknivesonline.com/

I am about to order one of his Necker's and Custom utility Wharncliffe knives from him as soon I get the money. His knives are not expensive and Necker knife $65 including shipping to continental U.S. is good deal
 
The Spyderco Swick looks good but its $40+ plus it needs a sheath; and the Morris File Necker doesnt look too bad, but I rather get a RAT Izula than these two.

The F. Perrin Neck Bowie looks really good, but at $100, its out of my price range.

So I guess what Im looking for is a small, thin, and lightweight fixed blade knife, which enables a secure grip, comes with a sheath, and is below $40, if possible.
 
Emerson La Griffe or a Strider SLCC are about perfect.

Missed the $40 budget. For about $50 you can get an Emerson La Griffe if you look hard enough.
 
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