So, who makes the best neck knife in the business?

Boats

Boats

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Aug 7, 2003
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Just like the question asks. Custom, production, doesn't matter. Price is no object. I'm looking for the best balance between concealabilty and usefulness (SD & last ditch utility rather than a more limited claw) in the hand.
 
Krein TK-1 has been the best I've found and I dislike anything around my neck. Simonich Bitterroot is a nice option too.

I tend to carry the real small FB in my pocket or wallet.

Questions to think about.
Are you looking for a knife with scales or without.
Full grip or partial w/ fob for added length.
 
I couldn't say what is best for your combination because carrying for self-defense is illegal here, but I really like the Benchmade Snody 210 for utility. It is also 'pretty', and so far hasn't scared any 'knife-phobic' people when they see it in my hand.
Greg
 
I really like the Fallkniven WM1. It is a big neck knife,but it rides small. I think one of those in the 3G powder steel version would be even better. I also like the BRKT PSK but I think it needs better Kydex. It doesn't click into place like the WM1,but, man, it is wicked sharp.
 
The best one I've found, so far, is the Spyderco SPOT. I prefer the one with thin black micarta scales, because it also comes with VG0-10 steel, instead of AUS 6.

I've tried quite a few. Another one I like is the HAK (HideAwayKnife). The thing about the SPOT, is it's basically a skeleton knife & the way it's designed with the finger hole, it allows just about a full hand grip, but is only 4 3/4" OAL. that's small.

I like the finger hole, because it's easy to index & isn't going to come out of your hands easily (If you need your neck knife, you're pretty much in deep doo-doo). Also, the tube that runs along the top of the sheath does keep the knife from flip-flopping under your shirt, thereby making it hard to grab the knife properly.

The HAK would be a close second, IMHO. But, I found that it'd flip around & just seemed not be as good. I guess it's because we/I use knives all the time, that the SPOT is more natural because you still have a handle to hold.
 
The more I use 'em, the more I like hawkbills. If used simply as a last ditch thing and not a cutter, anything sharp, light and tough would be good. Lot's of people say they want to use them, so I suppose something with a premium steel would be in order.

Lots of neck knives are too small for my tastes. Perhaps you could elaborate on just what you're looking for. Double bladed, straight? Hawkbill, short? Medium recurve?
 
Simonich Bitteroot at the small end, Strider ED at the larger end. Pat Crawford has a few excellent neckers, also. I really like the look and feel of his Legionnaire.
 
My favorite is the Emerson LaGriffe.

If I was looking for more utility use I'd go with the Simonich Bitteroot or a Tom Krein Dogfish. Added bonus of the Krein Dogfish - bottle opener.
 
Why don't you design a knife with the features you want and have one of our makers do what you want ??
 
Boats said:
.... I'm looking for the best balance between concealabilty and usefulness (SD & last ditch utility rather than a more limited claw) in the hand.
Click to expand...
At least I think we can narrow your quest down a bit:

"Concealability" strongly favors a skeletonized handle.

"SD & last ditch utility" dictates not too short a blade, I'd try to get at least 3". Also for "last ditch utility" I think you're going to want something pretty tough -- for that I would prefer carbon steel over stainless, and not too thin a blade or grind.

And of course the ergonomics have to be reasonably good, which isn't always the case with shorter, and/or skeletonized handles.

Personally I find the now out-of-production Becker Necker is as good a choice as any, but I don't know how easy they are to find. Newt Livesay made some classic little neckers as well, but also could be difficult to locate.

If you decide to go to the expense of having a custom knife made, I would at least try out several different neck knives before doing so, just to see what you like. What works best when it comes to these kinds of blades is a very personal, subjective thing: what works comfortably and efficiently for one guy may be completely unsatisfactory in your hands.
 
I can say, without question or arguement, that absolutely the very best neck knife is the BM-Snody 210TK. How can I be so sure? It's the only one I have ((( :D )))

BM-Snody210TK-02.jpg
 
First of all, I am former Navy, though I have all of the respect in the world for the Coasties.

Secondly, I'd consider commissioning a knife by a maker, but this thread accurately calls attention to the fact that I only have vague notions of what I want in such a blade.

I really want it to be flat under my shirt, so that argues for a skeletonized knife. Since I would already be concealing a length of metal around my neck, it might as well be useable metal, with at least a three finger grip. I'd like the blade to be at least 2" with some belly and a useable point so that if it the only knife I have on me for some reason, it is not a useless cutting tool. I'd like it to be more than a grip 'n rip.

Since the handle at least would be in skin contact, stainless steel sounds logical, but the high end stainlesses are not much better at corrosion resistance than D2 or A2, so a coated carbon steel blade would be fine.

So, we have this thread, where I am hunting for suggestions on a first neck knife so that I can learn first hand how I'd change it.:D
 
Emerson La Griffe
Emerson La Griffe rescue model
Spyderco Spot (micarta)
Spyderco Swick
Spyderco Spot (Plain)
Fred Perrin's customs
Hak knives (so many to choose from)

I have the spots and the La Griffe and one is great for utility and the other one is awesome for Self defense.

Overall I wouldn't spend to much on a neck knife primarily designed for Self defence. When it comes to SD you never know you might have to ditch a knife and a knife worth $50 is a hell of a lot better to ditch than a custom for $300.

Emerson La Griffe best bang for your buck in my opinion.

take care

aj
 
Boats, just recently, I have found myself in a similar sitatuion to yours. What I decided was to go inexpensive at first and see what I thought after wearing it awhile.

I ordered a CRKT Crawford N.E.C.K. It's a Pat Crawford designed, skeletonized 7" oal (3" blade") with the handle wrapped in OD paracord. It also has a small lanyard tied to the end and comes with a sheath which can be used to hold the knife in any angle you want. The sheath can be used with or without the included belt clip, AND it comes with something called a MercHarness, which you wear over your shoulders to keep the blade inverted under your arm instead of around your neck. You can find pictures of the whole package at CRKT's website. Best thing? I paid about 35$ for it, so if I don't like it, I won't be out a whole lot of money.

Good luck,

J
 
So, who makes the best........Boats

As I glanced at the above abbreviated topic on the BF home page, it initially caught my interest as there are at least two custom knife makers that are ex-boat builders. ;)

Back to the intended subject, Spencer Reiter (SAR Knives) makes some nice neck knives.
 
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