What's a neck knife for?

....To stab someone's neck!!!

LOL...just kidding....:p

They are small fixed blade knives that ...as you may have guessed....hang around your neck on a ball chain or lanyard for "tactical" use. They are, or should be light unless you are Arnold Schwarzenegger.
They fit into a snug Kydex sheath upside down for quick withdrawal. I, personally carry a Kantas Hawker which is approximately 13.2cm in length and weighs nothing.
 
I have seen neck knives from about 4 1/2" to 7" and have heard of people carrying even bigger knives around their necks.

Of course, they are used for whatever any other small knife can be used for.

Being that they are carried close to the body where things can get damp and salty, I think that neck knives should be made of stainless steel, Talonite or Stellite and have handles made from synthetic materials.
 
most of my neck knives ended up in my pocket or on a keychain.

ouch! :eek:
 
I like neck knives for hiking and canoe trips, since the knife can be accessed with either hand, with out getting in the way of things like pack belts. A neck knife should be light and fairly flat, for example, the Spderco Moran is about as big and heavy as I would go.
 
Neck knives are the 21th century equivalent of those enormous gold chains and name plates worn by some during the 1980s. Come to think of it; it may be the latest fashion statement from those same people. :)

n2s
P.S. I can't wait until someone develops the "Tactical Armpit Knife". Then the would be Mall Ninja would really have something up their (short) sleeve. :eek: :rolleyes: :D
 
I carry mine while I'm fishing. (recent purchase) BM tether knife. It is reasonably rust resistant. I don't carry it around my neck, but I have it clipped up side down to a strap on my gortex waders. Very light and handy.

Akwack
 
Actually the Scottish Sgian Dubh were the original "tactical armpit knives". They were worn in a hidden pocket under the left armpit. It's hidden with your arms at your sides, but readily accessible to the right hand. There was a scene in "Rob Roy" where Liam Neeson attacks someone with it.

sgians.jpg
 
I've recently taken to carrying my CUDA Arclite all the time. I have a lot of crap in my pockets and it's just a different way of distributing equipment. Also works great for when I'm wearing something that doesn't have pockets (e.g. sweatpants). I use it mainly as a backup to my other EDC(s).
 
Around the house on the weekend for yardwork. 3"blade 5 1/4 over all. Very thin and light with a thin kydex sheath. Not too bad at all, I don't notice it most of the time.
 
I'd like to disagree with ThorTso that neck knives are only for "tactical" use. I think that neck knives have found a large market among sportsmen. As mentioned, if worn openly, overtop of a shirt (rather than under for concealment), they are readily accessible with either hand. Furthermore, they aren't inhibited by most gear that a fisherman/hunter will wear. This creates an appealing package for someone who might need to access an edged tool for skinning, utility, etc.
 
, if worn openly, overtop of a shirt (rather than under for concealment), they are readily accessible with either hand.
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How would you keep it from getting snagged on everything? I guess it depends on the sport, but I wouldn't want to wear an exposed chain around my neck during most activities.

n2s
 
I agree with ThinkOfTheChildren, and will go even farther to say I don't think the neck knife has a place in a tactical environment. At least not a military one (which is the one I know). If you hang it outside of your uniform you will snag it on something, a bad guy will grab it, or it will make too much noise as you move. If you put it under your uniform, it will not be accessable. I would not let my troops use them.

Bruce Woodbury
 
Originally posted by not2sharp
How would you keep it from getting snagged on everything? I guess it depends on the sport, but I wouldn't want to wear an exposed chain around my neck during most activities.
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Yes, I should have said that it does in fact depend on the sport. Fishing, for example, seems to be an ideal sport for neck knives. In fact, the last couple of fishing trips I've been on, I've seen more and more captains and crew using neck knives.
Some forms of hunting would favor neck knives more than others. The more hiking, walking, climbing you'd have to do, the less you'd want the neck knife. Or, you could just keep it under your shirt until you are ready to start field dressing, skinning, etc.
But honestly, you can really lower the chance of snagging if you find just the right length of chain to use. Too long of a chain will leave the knife swinging around, especially when you bend over. Too short will make it harder to use and possibly more dangerous. But just right and snagging really isn't much of an issue.
YMMV I guess.

Originally posted by bruce
I agree with ThinkOfTheChildren, and will go even farther to say I don't think the neck knife has a place in a tactical environment. At least not a military one (which is the one I know). If you hang it outside of your uniform you will snag it on something, a bad guy will grab it, or it will make too much noise as you move. If you put it under your uniform, it will not be accessable. I would not let my troops use them.
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Well, when most people talk about the "tactical" applications of neck knives, I think they're usually referring to them as last-ditch urban defense weapons. A good setup will break off before it can choke you, but still, I also wouldn't want one hanging openly while performing military duties.
 
JSP has a nifty advance in neck knife carry - it's an adjustable cord for the length, and a stretchy strap around your chest to keep the knife from falling forward when you bend forward. It also helps in keeping the knife from twisting, so that you'll know the handle position when you want to draw.

Only thing is, you have the overhead of putting this on each day and, in the event you wish to ditch the rig, it's more of a hassle. Some might think if you're going to that extent, may as well don a fixed blade harness and have a big blade with you.

In general, you get at the neck knife by pulling your shirt up, or yanking open your shirt Superman style.
 
Originally posted by tallwingedgoat
Actually the Scottish Sgian Dubh were the original "tactical armpit knives". They were worn in a hidden pocket under the left armpit. It's hidden with your arms at your sides, but readily accessible to the right hand. There was a scene in "Rob Roy" where Liam Neeson attacks someone with it.
Click to expand...

Sounds kinda like me wearing my CS Mini Culloden sometimes! During the summer it sits under my uniform shirt (I'm a security guard), but during the fall thru spring it hangs from the left epaulet under a jacket, around the left side of my bottom ribs. I like to comfort of having "just one more" knife if I ever need it!

Matt in Texas
 
If you are interested in some advice about some models, here are some neck knives that are often recommended and/or are either doin´/lookin´ fine for me:

- Emerson LaGriffe: very small, yet an effective cutter; due to the index finger hole almost "glued" to the hand; good steel and good Kydex sheath, no alternative carry positions; Hawkbill blade.

- CRKT Neck PECK: very small as well; extremely lightweight; Zytel sheath (with removable clip either tip up or down attachable) is OK; steel has to be resharpened often; Wharncliffe blade; very inexpensive.

- CRKT MDP Stiff KISS: the PECK´s "bigger brother", but with a Drop Point blade.

- Busse Assault Shaker: very thick steel ("mini-prybar"); very small, but known for good ergonomics; Busse warranty; not inexpensive.
 
I worked, and taught classes in a Clean Room, ever try to access a blade when your in a bunny suit?

Neck knives were made for the people in the semiconductor business. :D
 
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