What features would you want in a neck knife?

L

Lynn Grififth Knives

Joined
Jul 30, 1999
Messages
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I have 2 series of knives that are great for neck carry. One is on the shorter side (MNK's), the other on the longer side (Back Up Series). I want to come up with a series that is in between.

What do you think would make a neck knife perect?

All input is appreciated.

Thanks,

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Lynn Griffith
Available knives now listed on
My website
GriffithKN@aol.com

 
No tot be a pain in the ass, Lynn, but in my opinion, Fred Perrin has found the perfect distillation of the neck knife with his La Griffe design (production version by Emerson is excellent). It's extremely light, has a well-made, minimal sheath, and the knife is thin and aggressively sharp, yet not so thin that you can't get a good grip due to the finger ring. It is an excellent self-defense tool for people who have no training in martial arts. It is also sized appropriately that you could deter an attack, yet is probably not lethal except in the hands of the very (un)lucky or experienced. Just my opinion. There are a lot of great neck knives out there, and I'm sure you'll add to the list, but I think Fred really has distilled the elements of a perfect self-defense neck knife into the La Griffe design.

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Well, ya just had to go and ask that, dincha?

I took a look at your site (again), just to get an idea of what you already are into. The Patrolman is very close. But, for MY perfect neck knife...

I would want a blade between 3 and 3.25 inches, with a drop point sort of shape, with a handle of about 3.75 inches. The handle would have a curved spine, not as great as the Fang, but more than what I see on your site. Something along the lines of the Spyderco Native, but maybe a little more curve. Blade width a little more than the handle width, so that the difference between the two would form a natural guard to prevent the hand from slipping up on the blade. A lot like your Marshall or Large Hunter, but maybe a little more pronounced. And I would leave a sort-of finger choil at the juncture between the handle and blade, at the width of the blade, so that one could choke up on the blade, with the index finger in the choil, to get more precise control for minute utility work.

What I envision is primarily a utility knife, but with the guard set-up like I mention, and the curve of the handle, allowing the knife to nestle in the hand to that in an emergency defensive stab, the butt of the handle is pretty much reinforced by the heel of the hand, and the natural guard between the narrower handle and wider blade reinforcing the grip to prevent slippage. If there are NO scales on the grip/handle area, this could make for a bit of a painful stab, I realize. But, this would only be for emergencies, and the curve of the handle would make for a comfortable grip for utility work. Or you could add thin scales, with the grip area of the metal drilled with lightening holes.

At least that is what I envision. Hey, you asked.
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It's just a ****ing staple!
Outlaw_Dogboy

 
The main thing I find missing in neck knives is hand safety. I realize that for a neck knife you don't want this huge full guard -- the point of neck knives is carryability, which means you might have to sacrifice safety a touch. But even a small guard can help, and in any case, neck knife makers should pay extra attention to handle ergonomics. If there's no full guard, the handle should definitely lock in your hand in other ways -- good index finger notch, palm swell, etc. This is the most important feature, and the reason most neck knives don't do it for me. Go to http://www.ghca.org/KFK.html and look at the Gaunt Neck Knife for an example of a neck knife that does work for me, at least in profile. I might prefer some thin slab handles for added ergonomics, though.

The other thing the gaunt does right is, as tuff mentions above, a nice penetrating point.

Joe
 
A Hollow Grind!!!!!

Just kidding.... I think you already have it nailed with the Sniper!!
Ok..... Maybe something about the same length, slightly more guard, in a symetrical double edge. I've thought that this style of knife would make a unique neck knife. It wouldn't matter if it got turned around durring carry. I personally like double edged knives. It may not make the best utility knife but it would be an eyecatcher!
Neil.

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[This message has been edited by Dr.Lathe (edited 04 November 1999).]
 
Lynn,

I like your 5" drawing model best. I would want a deeper finger index/guard, or some filework to minimize slippage. I like the drop point for utility and defense. I would want thin handle scales if the blade stock is 1/8" only. Would be nice to have some holes to keep in light a la Boker Specialists.

sing

AKTI #A000356
 
Sing,
All of my knives now come with thumb groves. I also drill holes in the handle to reduce weight. Plus thin contoured scales are one of the things I am known for. So, I think we must think alike. I will draw up the 5" model with a small guard and post it. will be cool to see how that looks. Great input.

Thank you,

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Lynn Griffith
Available knives now listed on
My website
GriffithKN@aol.com

 
I like the 5" model as well. The swell in the butt allows it to fill the hand, and the thinness at the front keeps the fingers from slipping onto the blade and allows for greater control between forefinger and thumb. Another thing that might be useful would be a slight ridge between forefinger and second finger, something like what you find on the Wilkins "Thorn" knife--I find that it helps the hand "memorize" the shape of a smaller knife.
 
I guess I'm the odd man out. I like the 7 inch style the best, but with a higher blade to handle ration (i.e. smaller or abbreviated handle).

Oh well...

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It's just a ****ing staple!
Outlaw_Dogboy

 
Outlaw,
The 7" version was drawn with your recomdations in mind. I am having a hard time knowing exactly what you have in mind. If you can, draw a picture and e-mail it to me. I would really be interested in your ideas. My new neck knife that I am designing for immediate use will be between 3.5" and 6" overall. However, I may build the 7" model or something close to it later. If you would like, I could even build one for you. I appreciate your input.

Thanks,

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Lynn Griffith
Available knives now listed on
My website
GriffithKN@aol.com

 
Lynn, check your e-mail. I just sent a sketch out. It is one that I drew up as my ideal fixed bladed knife, or near it (it is just the second or third draft, and it keeps changing when I look at it and get a chance to adjust it). Too big for a neck knife, but the general shape that I had in mind. Probably too much curve for most people.
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It's just a ****ing staple!
Outlaw_Dogboy

 
The handle on the 7" small utility is exactly right. Scale it down for smaller knives.

The 7" knife doesn't work for me as-is, due to the tiny blade edge. In my opinion, these knives are too small to include a choil, no matter how nice a feature that would be, just as they're too small to include a full-size guard.

Take that handle, size it accordingly for a neck knife, slap the blade from the 5" neck knife on it, and you've got it!

Joe
 
Well, Lynn...

You make it and I'll buy it!
smile.gif
Put me on the list.

sing

AKTI #A000356.
 
Lynn, of the drawings shown I like the first one the best. It is a cross between your MNK and a Fred Perrin La Griffe with slightly less of a gun type handle and obviously no finger hole. If you put thin scales on that bad body it'd be sweet! Told ya you could do it...
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I think the 7" one is way too long, even with a skeletonized handle and thin stock. I guess a lot depends on use, too, though. Aneck knife intended for shop and garden use would or could be completely different from a neck knife intended for concealment. I assume you are designing the latter, but never deny the power of the gardener! I think the REKAT Fang pushed the limit as far as size and weight of a neck knife, although I love mine!

------------------
My Custom Kydex Sheath page:
http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Lab/1298/kydex.html
Palmer College of Chiropractic
On Two Wheels
agocs_s@dd.palmer.edu
Madpoet (Mel Sorg, Jr.) Tribute page:
http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Lab/1298/madpoet/main.html
 
Sing,
Which design are you most interested in? I am still leaning towards the 5" guardless. I could still be swayed though. I want to get all the input I can, before I turn the idea into steel. Joe, and Outlaw, I like both of your ideas, and may lean that way after I think on it. Keep the ideas coming. I really appreciate you all helping me to design the most perfect neck knife.

Thanks,

------------------
Lynn Griffith
Available knives now listed on
My website
GriffithKN@aol.com

 
Lynn, of the drawings shown I like the first one the best. It is a cross between your MNK and a Fred Perrin La Griffe with slightly less of a gun type handle and obviously no finger hole. If you put thin scales on that bad body it'd be sweet! Told ya you could do it...
Click to expand...
Chiro,
Is it the overall size that you like best? Or is it the blade style? If I do the middle knife, I could offer it in wharncliffe blade as well.

Thanks,

------------------
Lynn Griffith
Available knives now listed on
My website
GriffithKN@aol.com

 
Lynn, I am sooo glad you are making more neck knives.
smile.gif


What I'd like
3" blade
Flat, hollow grind
Filework for thumb
Finger ramp for index
Lanyard hole
1/8 thick, no thicker
Grooves over drilled holes in handle.
 
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