Recommend a neck knife/knives

D

DrivebyTrucker

Joined
Nov 8, 2005
Messages
1,339
I am looking for some great neck knives. My priority is I want something I can wear around my neck while in the woods on day hikes that may be used on an unplanned overnight. Also I think they look and appeal to me. So I will buy at least two neck knives. There is no budget for this so if Busse, Swamp Rat, or Chris Reeves has a good one post up. I originally wanted a neck knife when I first saw the Becker Necker but never ordered one. Opportunity lost. If you know where I can still find one post a link. I really don't want to look on Ebay or the exchange forum though. This one from Chris Reeves looks like an updated Becker Necker http://www.1sks.com/store/chris-reeve-professional-soldier.html I would like to hear about it from anyone who owns one as I uncertain about the quality of the steel/heat treat. Buck has a little one that interest me and I saw TexasTony had a picture of one fastened to his sheath using ranger bands. I don't think Busse or swamp has one but if you know of a good tactical knife manufacturer/maker who makes a good one post up. The search for good neck knives is proving difficult so I ask for your help. Post up some pictures/links to some good quality neck knives that might interest me. Thanks.
 
The only neck knife I own is "The Spike" by Cold Steel. Not designed for bushcraft, but it's pretty stout (you could batton fire wood with it), lightweight, and the edge is what I believe is called a Scandi, i.e., the bevel starts from the spine and there is no secondary bevel, but it just goes right to the edge. Amazingly sharp, and at the same time it's a very rugged edge because it has a lot of meat behind it. Comes with a plastic snap-in sheath that can be hung around the neck with a chain or shoe lace. I occasionally carry it that way. They have several different blade configurations. Here's one.
TS-TCS53CC_540.jpg


PS I carried mine as a neck knife the whole time I was travelling in Italy, though I'm not sure if that's legal there.
 
Fehrman's Thru-Hiker. It's made from 3V. I gutted some paracord and wrapped the handle on mine. It is still thin and comfortable to use.
 
Busse Assault Shaker is a nice one. Also take a look at the Busse Skeleton Warden, the Swamp Rat Warden, and the Becker Necker. Every knife I've mentioned, however, would have to come via the secondary market. Kabar should have a Becker Necker out soon. (Maybe it's already out?)

AssaultShaker-1.jpg
 
Found an old comparison pic of the Busse Skeleton Warden and the Becker Necker.

Neckers2.jpg
 
Check out Scott Gossman's mighty PSK, shown here with a Bark River PSK. 1/8 inch thickness, 01 tool steel. Great insurance in the woods.

 
There's no particular reason a neck knife needs to be expensive or made from some super steel since it's a last ditch, defensive weapon. In fact, the CS Spike is sharp, light and deadly. CS also has their Nightshade series, which is fiberglass reinforced (grivory) plastic. They're tough and don't rot, plus they're light weight and cheap. You can also find inexpensive hawkbill (full tang) blades that pull free with just a tug. I've even carried Smith & Wesson's excellent little boot knife, which is double edged.

If you're going to do a lot of cutting with it, go for the extra expen$e, but weapon steel doesn't need to be expensive, or even top tier, to be effective. People will ask, do you really want to bet your life on a $20 neck knife, and my reply is, yes. You'll find plenty of neck knives that go for much more than they need to. I've even seen expensive ones made out of AUS6 stainless.

nightshade.jpg
Cold-Steel-92FPA-rw-7706-22484.jpg


The Nightshade series is very light and effective.


SWHRT2.jpg


This little hawkbill is nice.


cr-ryan-plan-b.jpg


The CRKT Ryan 6 was a nice little neck knife. Still available on
eBay and elsewhere.
 
Wow I didn't know Busse made one I am going to have to get on their mailing list so I know the next time they put one out. That would be perfect. Even better then the Chris Reeves Soldier as I would like it to be coated. And knowing Busse if they ever come out with another Neck knife it will be bigger like the Necker, but also a choice in the Color coating. Tan blade and green paracord would look great. Swamp Rat Necker would make a good second choice. Also I will check with Ka Bar in the upcoming months on their Necker. Although I prefer a quality blade. Thanks for the comparison pick Guyon. IUKE that mighty PSK looks great I will look into that. Hawkeye the Cold Steel looks cool thanks for posting.
Ok more questions for those who posted

Defualtster that neck knife looks awesome who made it? It has a great blade profile and looks custom.

Guyon what knife is in the picture you posted? It has a great handle and blade shape, but doesn't look to be a Becker or Busse.

IUKE I like Scott Gossman's PSK and found reviews on it. It looks slim with a stout wide blade.
http://www.outdoors-magazine.com/spip.php?article331
It's comes without a sheath and that could be a problem.

Warren Thomas looks good and his neck knife comes in 3 variety's, including a carbon fiber/Ti:eek: It looks great but I wonder how it would hold up. Not sure if it comes with a sheath either.
http://www.wtknives.com/neckknives.html

Thanks for pics guys I better get on some Manufactures mailing list:thumbup:
 
Have you seen butcher_block's neckers?I got one & love it.Here's mine in 3V & blue jean micarta.....
DSCI0138.jpg

DSCI0139.jpg
 
Last edited:
I just got the Emerson LaGriffe, and am finally seeing what all the fuss is about, it is a mean little mofo. Very popular mention for necker/last ditch/concealed carry, surprised no one mentioned it. The Smith & Wesson hawkbill mentioned above is a copy of it.

IMO the grivory stuff from CS in the same post is too bulky for use as a neck carry.
 
DrivebyTrucker said:
Defualtster that neck knife looks awesome who made it? It has a great blade profile and looks custom.
Click to expand...

You are right - it is custom made; by myself. So far, I made only two (and one screw-up :o). I kept one, one was sold to a fellow forumnite.

Specs:
CPM-S30V steel, HT by Rob @ Ranger original (around 59/60 RC), cryo tempered. Flat grind drop point, "V" edge (25 inclusive), skeletonized handle, para-cord wrapped. Satin finish. OAL 7.5", Blade lenght: 3", 0.125" thickness. Kydex neck sheath.

Some other shots of mine, for the heck:
003.jpg


0053.jpg


0043.jpg


Shoot me an email if you want more details :D
 
"There's no particular reason a neck knife needs to be expensive or made from some super steel since it's a last ditch, defensive weapon." My neck knives are not weapons,they get used for opening boxes,bagels,bags,manicures and other various and sundry whittlings. Of course constant use and familiarty with one's tools can turn them into effective weapons. Don't ever mess with a carpenter when he has his hammer in his hand or a gurka with his kukri.
 
DrivebyTrucker said:
Wow I didn't know Busse made one I am going to have to get on their mailing list so I know the next time they put one out. That would be perfect. Even better then the Chris Reeves Soldier as I would like it to be coated. And knowing Busse if they ever come out with another Neck knife it will be bigger like the Necker, but also a choice in the Color coating.

Defualtster that neck knife looks awesome who made it? It has a great blade profile and looks custom.

Guyon what knife is in the picture you posted? It has a great handle and blade shape, but doesn't look to be a Becker or Busse.
Click to expand...


defaultuser, I agree with DbT. That is an excellent necker you've made. :thumbup:

DrivebyTrucker, the first one I posted is the Busse Assault Shaker. Recently, Jerry claimed that an "anorexic" or skinny version was going to be offered alongside his Scotch Dispenser. However, only the Scotch Dispenser was offered, and we are yet to see the Anorexic Assault Shaker. It's possible it may be offered in the near future, but who knows?

Here are pics of both that Jerry posted in the Busse subforum. First, the Anorexic Assault Shaker...


AssaultShakers.jpg


And the Scotch Dispenser. This one is actually currently available from www.bussecompanystore.com. Like all Busses, it doesn't come with a sheath, but the Co. Store has one available in kydex for an extra $35.


SDPair.jpg


sd_tape_800.jpg
 
You don't need expensive, as mentioned above. But I also noticed that Cold Steel knife uses a significantly lower grade of steel than, say the VG-1 utilized in their respected Voyager line.

Anyway, I just ordered one of these from mykulmorris, looks like an excellent design....
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top