What features would you want in a neck knife?

Lynn,
To be 100% honest with you, I have never liked your MNK series and am glad to see you expanding the line. I do like the knives shown in Gallery 2 on your website and think that a SLIGHTLY scaled down version of either knife would make a good neck knife. The only place where I could see a major modification would be in the thickness of a piece as I carry my neck knives concealed unless at home.

I like your idea for the 5 inch with the guard, but I would like to see it longer and the guard incorporated farther back into the handle like on your Marshall or Large Hunter.
(Or this Marshall: http://members.tripod.com/~Newt_Livesay/U-S-Marshal.html )

Great ideas! Maybe soon I will own ANOTHER neck knife. (That would make 10 I think!)
 
Lynn,

The 5" guardless is fine, as long as there is some file work in the index area as well as the thumb ramp. I guess my measure is the REKAT Utility Neck knife. Overall, I am happy with the utility and ease of carry of that knife (facilitated by a great MCS). But as a "last ditch" knife, I would be afraid to use it for hard stabbing. This is what one likely would and can do effectively with such a short blade. However, the index area does not feel secure due to the lack of depth and/or filework to minimize slippage.

sing

AKTI #A000356
 
The only place where I could see a major modification would be in the thickness of a piece as I carry my neck knives concealed unless at home.
Click to expand...
4th,
I agree thickness should be a large concern with a neck knife. The knives in the Back Up Series are only 1/8" with 1/8" scales (thickness before shaping). The knives and sheathes together of these knives is only about 3 ozs. The MNK's are about 1 oz. in the sheath. If I keep the length of the new series I will be building to 5" over all, I think the weight with sheath will be about 2 ozs. The contoured handles on all of these will feel very comfortable under clothing, wiht a minimum footprint.

It is looking like most people are voting fo the 5". Some seem to prefer with the guard, some with out. I would still love to get some more input. I really appreciate everyones help on this.

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

 
Lynn-excellent thread. I prefer the 5" without the guard, although guard or no guard is really a toss up for me. You've already talked about the other features I'd like-slim scales, lanyard hole, the least possible footprint, filework. I assume it'll be ATS-34. The only other thing (a small item) that I'd like is a black bead chain to hang the sheath. If not black, than true stainless to fight corrosion. I guess for me it's simple: my primary criteria for a neck knife is zero footprint. Let me know when you're taking orders.
Paul

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"This is the last one. I mean it this time."
 
Lynn, just looked at the link. I like the designs but I must say that 5 0A is pushing it.

My personal preference is 7-8" neck knife but worn on my hip.

Now as this is a 'back up' series I wouldn't go less than 5" OA. If such tools are for emergency LEO situations, small isn't necessarily better.

I won't say it's impossible to use a very short knife for defense but shorter lengths makes it a bit harder, not impossible but hard. If we're talking an LEO cutting open a confiscated bag of drugs then length is irrelevant.

I think broader blades would be good and would benefit a 5" or smaller knife.

As a civilian, I like the appearance of this series so far having no real use for radical looks.

If the price is right, I'm in.


 
After I bought some custom and production neck knives I would like to add:

WEIGHT - this is my main concern - since we are talking about NECK knives this is very important.

Blade shape - I like tantos (no chisel), but other shapes are fine as well. I took look at the drawings - I like the first one - but I saw such a knife before many times (one is in German edition of Boker catalog, Ed Chavar I think makes similar one..). Number 2 and 3 are nice as well.

Kydex sheath: simple, secure

IMO the best neck knife (for me) would be Tanto neck knife by Pat Crawford - if it was not bead blasted.

David
 
Smoke,

I agree about a "broader blade" for a 5" OAL. Gives it just a little more umph.

I have a mini Nealy Pesh Kesh and a "three finger" (handle) by Merdink (Nealy's former student) and I have to say I like the work of the student better! Why? Although of the same OAL, I like the more secure grip with the three finger indexes and the broader drop point style blade of the Merdink. Oh, the thin contoured black micarta scales added alot to the aesthetics over the Nealy's G10. (G10 offers better grip but Merdink's finger grooves offset that.)

Bead blast.... Please don't. Satin finish for me.

Oh... The reason I like the 5" OAL is ease of carry and concealment. I generally carry it in my pocket, or hanging upside own from my jacket's inner breast pocket (thus a MCS). The only time I wear a neck knife as such is when I am out fishing. A longer OAL, I would just go with one of Lynn's existing designs with the IWB sheaths.

sing

AKTI #A000356

[This message has been edited by sing (edited 05 November 1999).]
 
Mini Sniper
2.5" pointy wharncliff, 5.5" overall length
thin and sharp
 
Lynn,

Like the new 5.5" drop point design even better!

sing

AKTI #A000356
 
Hey, gotta say I like that 5.5 inch design, too. Almost even better than my idea. Makes better use of the handle than mine would in a smaller package. Nice.

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

 
Sounds like we may be getting close to a finished design. The more people I can get to agree on one design, the sooner I will lock it down. I really appreciate all of your help. I love being able to work with so many knife users to design the knives.

Thanks,

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

 
Lynn-the new drop point is a WINNER! I love it. And the new 7" utility knife looks like a great little small game/bird and trout type knife. VERY good designs, IMHO. I'll be wanting them. Let me know as soon as you're accepting orders.
Paul
 
I added 2 more pictures. Please take a look. I also added the price they would be if I make them. Please post a vote, for your favorite. I will make any that are shown, as a custom order, but the one that gets the most votes will be made standard. Standard models get delivered in 2-3 months, custom orders 4-6.

Thank you all,

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

 
Designs are pretty good. I'd like a broader blade with that 7" also don't think that the choil needs to be grooved.

I agree with Sing, no bead blast please.

To be honest, I like both blade configs.

To be more honest, the prices are a bit out of my reach and if I were to order I'd ask for a skeleton type or cord wrapped handle.

What would make any of the models more tempting to me is if the steel was CPM 440V or 01 maybe even ATS 34.
 
5.5s get my vote
I'm a big wharncliff fan,but that drop point might make it a coin toss.
I'm in- make the 5.5s standard and I'll order one or the other. hmm...heads or tails?...
 
I think the 5.5 would be my favorite, followed by the 7, followed by the 6. Almost a toss up between the 7 and 6, but definite on the 5.5.

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

 
I agree with Sing, no bead blast please.

To be more honest, the prices are a bit out of my reach and if I were to order I'd ask for a skeleton type or cord wrapped handle.

What would make any of the models more tempting to me is if the steel was CPM 440V or 01 maybe even ATS 34.
Click to expand...

Smoke,
If I get enough requests for it, I could offer a cord wrap for $30 less than the black micarta version. I could also take $30 of if the knife was chisel ground also. A satin finish over the beadblasting, would raise the price. If you want info on satin finish prices and options, then e-mail me direct, and we can discuss it. As far as the steel, All of my knives are Cryogenically treated ATS-34.


Thanks,



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

 
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