Urban Office Worker: Bud Nealy, BC Assault Shaker, or Dozier KM-3?

B

Blue Jays

Joined
Feb 16, 2000
Messages
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Good Evening Everyone-

Sub: Bud Nealy, BC Assault Shaker, or Dozier KM-3?

It's been great reading all the insights and shared stories from everyone at BladeForums. I'm hoping for some feedback on a scenario I'm facing. Here's the background:

Setting
Just your basic urban office worker in the high-tech industry. Most days in the office I can be found in a suit, starched shirt, and tie. Public transportation is used to reach the office each day. My daily carry is a Benchmade Mini-AFCK.

New carry notion
Since the Mini-AFCK is not used too often in the office, I'd like to switch to something really tiny, like a Spyderco Ladybug or something equally harmless and sheeple-friendly. The other benefit is that it will lighten the load in my pockets...

Now, around my neck, I'd like your help in considering these much more potent options:

Does anyone have practical experience with any of the choices listed above? Suggestions? The plan is to wear the neck knife over the tee-shirt but under the dress shirt with the tie providing some concealing cover. Thing it'll work?

I saw a couple of the models when I traveled to NYC for the East Coast Custom Knife show last weekend, but I didn't make a purchase.

In addition to the Mini-AFCK, I also own a BM AFO automatic, a Microtech SOCOM, a useless Gerber Mark I, and assorted BM Rescue Hooks. None of these seem particularly practical or useful for discreet, non-alarming carry in a professional environment.

The three steels, M2, INFI, and D2 all seem to be perfect. All three offer a practical sheath for their knives.

Thank you much for any assistance you may provide!

Regards,

~ Blue Jays ~
 
Please email me....your email isnt listed...
 
I have a 52100 innercore with damascus side panels from Nealy. Kinzhal model i belive. Nice blade, actually lookin to sell cuz I got bitten by the damascus bug. Nealy does some showier stuff, which might be nicer to carry than the G10 stuff. He gets a hold of some nice woods, there are a few nice ones on www.bladeart.com.
 
Blue Jays,
Welcome to Bladeforums. I hope you enjoy it here as much as I do ;)

As for your question. I carry the Busse Assault Shaker everyday. I often forget I'm wearing it, great cutter, handle ergonomics are awesome, holds an edge like nothing else I have and it is incredibly tough.

Good luck in your decision.
 
Hi Taz-

Thanks for the feedback. If I were to go with one of the small Bud Nealy models, I'd stick with the blackened M2 steel with G10 scales.

A matte, business-like finish on a knife has always been attractive to me. Damascus steel paired with G10 does seem nice, though.

Saw some very desireable knives from Al Polkowski, but he didn't seem to have too broad of a selection in NYC. I suppose additional research could be done on the Internet to view all his offerings.

News on the Bud Nealy, Busse Assault Shaker, & Dozier KM-3 is greatly appreciated. Itchin' to place an order...

Regards,

~ Blue Jays ~

P.S. My knife posts are kept on the public board to make them easier to find using the "search" function. Thanks!
 
All very nice knives and good choices. Just curious if you checked out the Emerson La Griffe? Might be worth a look.

EDIT: I have a Boker/Bud Nealy MCS I hardly use due to the La Griffe. Send me an email to discuss.
 
and I'm sure you would do well with any of them.

I would want the one that blends in or disappears.
I have a Busse, it is 1/4" thick with a black crinkle coat finish.
It has a 3 finger handle and blends in well under any condition.

There are tons of sheath options for it.
I have seen the neck rig, IWB, SOB, and piggy back on another sheath.
It is very versatile.

Another point is that if it is seen, it can be passed off as a letter opener.
Small but mighty, I think the AS first came in to the world as a service knife for US Customs.
There seemed to be a need for some thing small with the ability to open up sealed containers, car doors, gas tanks, etc. and still keep an edge. hince the AS.

I very tough little tool priced under $120.00 and you get all the benifits of INFI steel with it.

That's my .02, Good Luck
 
Hi Terrapin Flyer-

The Emerson La Griffe looks SWEET, but I figured a knife with a bit more "belly" to the blade would be more useful in a day-to-day setting. Well, at least when it comes out from "hiding." ;)

The Whitewater Rescue version is pretty cool if you wish to minimize the chance of accidentally piercing someone/something.

Yeah, I'm still thinking the Nealy, Busse AS, or Dozier KM-3 so far.

Thanks much, everyone.

~ Blue Jays ~
 
This might sound a little harsh, but no offense is intended.

If you hardly even use the Mini-AFCK as it is, why the hell do you need a small fixed blade?
Also...how would you access a neck knife(assuming it's under your shirt, cause it would be kinda hard to wear a neck knife on the outside of your shirt when you're in a suit), if you are wearing a tucked in dress shirt?
:confused:

Jeff
 
Blue Jays, Welcome to Bladeforums! :) I personally carry the Buse Assault Shaker everyday. Just as Eric mentioned, you'll forget it's there until you need it. Great little knife with enough handle length for a positive grip.
 
I carry a Busse Assault Shaker most of the time. It is
a stout little knife.
 
Blue Jays, I know this may sound like cheerleader rah-rah but I mean this most seriously. The Busse Assault Shaker is probably the toughest neck knife you (and your grandchildren and their children) will ever own.

Wi that said, allow me to be more specific. While suitable as a neck knife and very handy, it is .250" stock INFI. It is stout. It stays sharp and is easy to keep keen. You can do things with the knife that you cannot do with other neck knives and even other folders or fixed blades that are bigger and more expensive.

The first hour you have it on it's weight and mass are noticeable. After that, it all dissappears. I hate to mimic the Harley-Davidson sogan, but - If I had to explain it to you ... you probably wouldn't understand.

Trust me on this one, get the Assault Shaker.
 
Blue Jays,

I'm in pretty much the same work environment as yourself (except for the suit, I'm in IT and they're lucky I wear pants). I don't have experience with the Assault Shaker but I do have a couple of the Nealy knives as well as the Dozier KM-6 (similar to the KM-3).

If you're looking strictly for neck carry, I wouldn't go for the Dozier. It's a great knife but it's way too heavy and thick (IMHO) for a neck knife, especially with a dress shirt. It'll be printing and swinging all over the place. It's definitely good IWB, though.

The smaller Nealy knives (I have a small Kinzhal) would be great for what you describe. They also have a great multi-position sheath. The flatness and light weight make it suitable for neck carry, and there are attachments for carrying IWB, or hanging upside down on the inside of your suit coat. I highly recommend this type of carry and use it on the rare occasions that I wear a suit.

So, from your three choices I would probably go with a smaller Nealy with the MCS sheath like a small Kinzhal, Pesh-Kabz, Y2K or Kwaito.
 
I can only comment on the AS. First the handle ergonomics are excellent; even though it is only a three finger knife, the grip is secure and comfortable. Also, all the holes make a good cord-wrap very simple (if you like to cord-wrap).

The amazing toughness of INFI and the bomb-proof construction mean you can do things with it that you normally wouldn't be able to do with small knives without damaging them. Although it is quite thick, the holes in the handle and the full flat grind makes it surprisingly light.

It is a sweet little knife!
 
Hi Everyone-

Didn't expect to see so much helpful information so fast, wow! Glad to have your help in making a decision between these over-achiever blades.

Jefroman, to answer your question....most of the Monday through Friday cutting tasks encountered could be handled with a Ladybug or a Dragonfly. Let's face it, it's usually just shipping tape, twine, and the occasional junk mail letter.

Being a certified Knife Knut and one who wishes to prepare for the unexpected, I'd like to have something with a bit more "potential" for rare heavy-duty and/or "social re-adjustment" needs. This is the same reason that a SureFire M2 Centurion flashlight, spare lithium batteries, cell phone, and one-way CPR shield can be found in my briefcase.

Weekends are a different circumstance. My knives get a good workout while "out and about" in the field.

Thanks again, everyone!

Regards,

~ Blue Jays ~
 
...and I love carrying and using the Assault Shaker. Can't be beat - it is indestructable and always sharp. The warranty can't be beat either.
 
For the one who asked,,,,,,Its easy to get a neck knife out under a dress shirt and tie. Just make sure it hangs in the space between two buttons. Get two fingers in there, then a grip with one hand and one hand only and pull. Whala!!! knife in hand. Trying to grab the sheath with the off hand will get ya cut though. If you really want to get cool, sew a button to outside of shirt, and velcro behind it, and velcro one button closed. Then you can easily yank out a neck knife. Drawback of neck knife in dress shirt is you dont want to bend over and have it hang out of the gap between buttons by accident. You can not put it under the t-shirt obviously either. Only the dress shirt.
 
I am in an urban high tech environment too. I have an AFCK in my pocket in a leather holster. In my Tumi is my Trailmaster bowie. If I am sitting at my desk during a potential office rage incident, it is "hide and go seek" time in the cubicles. At 10' or less, I'll put my money on the guy with a 9.5" knife.

Dave
 
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