What Qualifies a Neck Knife?

T

tom mayo

Joined
Jan 27, 1999
Messages
6,277
I have made a few of these...all to specs of my customers...and am wondering...what are the parameters of a neck knife...how long.. how thick...double or single edge...etc. i have been making knives for a long time so i have a good idea...but would like some other opinions on this...sincerely...from way out in the pacific ocean.

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http://www.mayoknives.com


 
Hello,

I also make a Few neck knives,,,although
the original Drop point "UTILITY" i made was of a Skeletal Version , which i think is standard for a true neck Knife(my Opinion).

But i have also just made the MEUK "chipmunk"
and "tadpole" that have 2" and 2.5 inch blades of talonite that seem to fit the bill also,,and they have Micarta handles,just in a thinner profile. i think my original 7" overall length was a bit large for a neck knife,,,i find the later 2" and 2.5" with overall 4.5 to 4.75 inch lenght more of the Neck style carry ,size wise.

Although i find it better to carry my neck knives with the para cord looped around my belt loop ,and the Sheath and knife tucked in my waistband, or back pocket. Much easier to reach in a street stress Situation.

I also think that 1/8 and 5/32 stock are about the upper limits for this size blade and style.


my .02

Allen Blade


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Allen Blade
Spokane,WA USA

My Custom Knives :
http://www.geocities.com/yosemite/meadows/1770/allenblade.html

[This message has been edited by Allen Blade (edited 01-16-2000).]
 
Tom: Weight and OAL seem to define the neck knife. My Handiman has 3" blade, 7" OAL, 1/8" stock with tang severely skeletonized underneath 1/8" slabs. Weight with sheath: 3 OZ. You don't even feel it.
I have sold a lot of KOZUKAS with neck sheaths, but, this knife is pushing the limit for weight and length (8") in the sheath.

Personally, 3-3 5/8" , or even shorter, seems completely adequate for blade length, combined with a handle that is not quite full size.

RJ Martin
 
Mr. Mayo I'd say that an oal of 6"-9" with a thin blade say 1/8" would be the neck knife of my choice. I think it would have to be something that was light yet small enough to semi-conceal. Although I believe that it should fall into a general characterization that it would not cause legal implications.
 
ask dr. lathe, he knows neck knives! just e-mail him, i'm sure he'd be glad to answer your question.
 
emailing neil is no problem...but one of the main reasons for this forum is to put all this stuff out here in print for all the world to see and check out right...i will email him and ask him to post here....aloja

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http://www.mayoknives.com


 
Tom, I just love to make neck knives and to me, about 2.5 oz is plenty. Mine usually run from 1.6 oz. to about 2.3 oz. I got curious and used the postal scales at work. A thin profile is preferable because it does weight less and a lot of people don't like "printing". I don't think you need a full length handle because it is used mostly for small cutting chores. A ground in finger guard is handy but not a necessity since the small knive will not often be used for piercing. The shape, feel, and finish will usually be determined by the customer. I always wear one and really never notice it there.
I guess a true neck knife would be light, wearable (comfortable), and useable and pretty. You could tell some one that the reason you bought it was because it was "pretty". Any excuse is valid when buying a knife.

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Ray Kirk
www.tah-usa.net/raker
 
this is the reason this forum is so popular, so many different points of view with the same aim in mind....i am working on everything everyone is said....light is very good...small is good...but thinking that it needs to be a weapon and that entails a certain amount of blade length to be effective, although am rethinking the weapon idea in that mostly it is a utility knife with self defense as a secondary purpose.. and yes...it MUST look good...to me that goes without saying....thats one of the reasons custom knives are made....superior materials and craftsmanship.

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http://www.mayoknives.com


 
You said it Tom. Custom makers are custom makers because they have a certain look and feel that can't be easily replicated. Even I tried to make a knife...not so easy...it came out looking very goofy
rolleyes.gif
...but I have greater appreciation for those who have put much of their lives into making customs. Keep up the good work!
smile.gif


~Mitch
 
Hello, Tom!
Maybe a neck knife is a knife you can cut necks with? (Someone had to come up with this one, right?)

Ivan Campos

 
My specs for an ideal concealed carry neck knife w/sheath are: <= 7" OAL; <= 4 oz, the lighter the better; and, not much more than 1/4 - 5/8" thick, including scales.

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Cheers,

--+Brian+--

aka Dagda the Insatiable, Member of the Terrible Ironic HORDE
"I may be goin' to hell in a bucket, Babe, but at least I'm enjoyin' the ride."
 
I wear one everyday and have several by a few good makers.

What works for me is an overall length of six inches (can be slightly over)or less.
This usually allows for an edge of 2.5 inches to just under three inches, depending on design.

A profile that does not print under a polo shirt.

Light enough that it doesn't become an "albatross" hanging from one's neck all day.

A useful blade configuration. If it is useful for utility it will work for defense in a pinch. (I've been in law enforcement for 18 years and still haven't had to get into a "knife" fight with one yet.)

A well thought out design for grip.

A good sheath (kydex/concealex) which protects and secures the knife and retains a minimal profile.

Blues

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Live Free or Die

Some Knife Pix
 
I look for about 6"-8" overall with 8 a max. that I can only live with depending on how heavy the knife is. At this blade length (approx. 2"-4") I think you can get away with a chisel grind, although I don't prefer it myself. And unless it's a dagger I want something that will let me index the blade, either thumb grooves or a finger cut-out, something that tells me which way the blade is facing. After that, light weight! and a fairly flat profile so it doesn't print.

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~ JerryO ~

Cogito Cogito Ergo Cogito Sum


 
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