Neck Knives, the 101
Hey fellas, there may have been a discussion about this at another time and if there is already a thread please point me to it, but what are some of your preffered methods/ material for wearing your neck knife. What is your biggest reason for having it as a backup, the pros and cons of neck knife carry. And any preference of brands for the neck lanyard, and best benchmade model for neck carry. I recently purchased a 101 and have felt awkward when considering carrying it, but think it is a good idea as a carry option when I ditch my pants with pockets for a pair of sweats or sport shorts. Let me know, thanks in advance!
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I actually wrote up a lengthy post a while back, sharing my opinion on why I would prefer to carry a 15200DLC Altitude as my kneck knife vs. The 101 Follow-Up. Alas, after all that typing, I lost it to the trigger word police... I probably mentioned something about s h o e s...
Anyhow, to be direct about it:
15200DLC all day long.
That’s my preference.
No contest for me.
Comfort & versatility in hand, weight, OAL and steel...
The Altitude wins hands down, IMHO.
Is the 15200 worth 2x the price tag of the 101?
To me - Absolutely!
Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not out to knock the 101, because I like what BKC has done with the Follow-Up... It’s just that I decided I don’t need an abundance of kneck knives, and the Altitude is everything I’ll ever need in such tool. The 101 is another one of those purpose-built tools, being designed specifically to be carried in a mag pouch, riding behind the magazine. I’d honestly be quite surprised if the majority of guys who carry one didn’t opt to kneck carry one, though.
As you mentioned, kneck knives can be great tools when you need a blade, but lack pockets or proper attire. Also, I carry my Altitude around my neck when I need a fixed blade (and sometimes, even when I don’t) but might find myself in an environment where I’d like my cutlery to remain inconspicuous. Not concealed, mind you, but not hanging off my hip for all passerby’s to gaulk at.
Preference for lanyard material?
Good ol’ 550 paracord it is.
Please, do let us know how you make out carrying around your 101, Rob.
PS - I’m very sorry to do this, but I really can’t help myself...
Neck Knifes
Neck Knives!
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Thanks marty! I made the correction in the thread title, I’m not above being corrected and making the proper adjustments.
I am looking really hard at getting the altitude, My thoughts were to try out carrying the 101 to see if it was to my liking then pass it on as a gift to my brother in law who does carry around his neck. And get the altitude for myself.
Paracord was going to be my first attempt but thought I would check in and see if anyone else had luck with something different.
Any tips or tricks, I.e. low profile knots for the lanyard to keep concealed? Also any suggestions for self defense or emergency deploying training?0 -
I don't have the two knives in question, however I may try the Follow Up at some point.
When I think of neck knives I always hear U2 singing "I still haven't found what I'm looking for..." I have had neck knives from Benchmade, Spyderco, Emerson, Brous, TOPS, Cold Steel, ESEE and CRKT... I even tried neck carry with the old Nimravus Cub quite a few years ago (any old timers remember that!?!?). Here are my observations...
I prefer the chain over the cord. The paracord just seems to add bulk and it does not seem to move freely. You REALLY have to keep weight down. I don't want to go all Nutandfancy here but this is one time, the lighter the better. If you plan to carry it a long time this is a must. It has to be highly rust resistant. It is going to be close to the skin.
These are my favorite neck knives...
Spyderco Ark. Very light, rust proof, and the only one I can wear under a t-shirt against the skin with no issues.
Emerson LaGriffe. This is the best tactical option IMHO. Not too heavy.
Brous Silent Soldier. I just like these.
ESEE Izula. Just a great knife.
I actually liked the old Benchmade Tether Knife from years ago, but I saw it as a utility knife only.
As for deployment? As a self-defense knife there are quite a few issues. One, you normally are carrying it under clothing and getting to it quickly is a chore. When you pull your shirt up, it tends to come up with the shirt, Also consider if you are on the ground or grappling in any form (which is pretty much the most likely setting for needing it) it is going to be moving around your body and finding it might be a problem. If this is what you need, then having a custom sheath made to carry it on the belt center line is the best bet. If it is a situation you have some time to get to it, but just need deep concealment, then it might be OK. Also consider in my state (Ohio) carrying any knife, especially a fixed blade, concealed is a major no-no.
A neck knife is a good choice when you need a knife, but need to conceal it deeply. I like it if I am in a Third World Country, great way to carry as I don't like to have the pocket clip showing. I don't worry about police much in those setting, as if you are dealing with the police you are already behind the 8-Ball (and in most of my travels in those countries, you hardly see any LEO at all...)
There is no free lunch, the more concealed a knife is, the harder it will be to deploy. Period.
Neck carry is great for carrying a utility knife and you don't have pockets, or a defensive knife in a situation where you will have time to get it. How often that happens is open to debate. Keep in mind, I have trained with a few of the big names, and follow other online, and I have never seen them speak about the use of neck knives. The only time I have seen it brought up at all is being taken hostage in a foreign country.
For me, I prefer the chain (moves more freely and naturally with you) and good old Kydex over other plastics.0 -
Just a few thoughts: carbidized titanium is light and 100% rustproof.
Another benefit of bead chains is safety. They can still slip inside gutted paracord if you prefer the feel, look, etc. of paracord. This gets around having to tie a bulky, and potentially dangerous, knot in the paracord.0 -
quote:Originally posted by kirbysdl:
Another benefit of bead chains is safety. They can still slip inside gutted paracord if you prefer the feel, look, etc. of paracord. This gets around having to tie a bulky, and potentially dangerous, knot in the paracord.
That’s a great tip.
Thanks for sharing.
I learn something new every day...0 -
Paracord can be dangerous because it can be used to choke you while beaded chains usually break if pulled hard enough.
Infantry in the IDF usually cover the beaded chain dog tags with paracord for camouflage purposes while other more technical and mechanical corps do not because they can snag on something and choke and even worse.
Paracord is very strong material even just the outside wrapping.0 -
Thanks, Archer. I was thinking the same thing. I have used paracord to lift a 250 pound bear and it is rated to 550, so I really don't want a loop of it around my neck. Glade to see someone with actual experience confirm my concerns. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Chip:
Glad to see someone with actual experience confirm my concerns.
Hmmmmm, that’s not insulting at all...
The Altitude isn’t my first knecker, you know.
I’ve worn them for years, and have never been chocked.
And yes, I’ve considered that fact.
Ever hear of a breakaway lanyard?
Besides being useful for safely hanging knives around one’s kneck, I (and most of the employees in any given medical facility) wear a breakaway lanyard to hang an ID badge or name tag. Or a pen. No, you don’t want to snag you kneck on something or be yanked around by an unruly fellow man....
If something like that we’re to happen, your lanyard would release.
There are numerous options that can be used with breakaway lanyards.
I prefer these:
1) breakaway clasp:
2) breakaway knot:0 -
I don’t like beaded chains because I’m personally not a fan of the look, or especially the feel around my kneck. And there are SO many more options that can be had with paracord (style of knotting, easy customization for length, color).
The bonus is that should you ever need a piece of paracord to actually stand up to it’s 550 lbs. rating, well, you’ve got one handy.0 -
Marty, I'm an old timer there were no such innovations as "breakaway lanyards", you made a knot to keep it around your neck. New world technology beats out old world experience 
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quote:Originally posted by Marty McFly:quote:Originally posted by Chip:
Glad to see someone with actual experience confirm my concerns.
Hmmmmm, that’s not insulting at all...
Shouldn't be insulting as it was directed at myself. I have no experience with neck knives, but was concerned about a loop of paracord around my neck and did not speak up because of that lack of experience.
Interesting options on the breakaway lanyards, are they strong enough to not break when you snap a knife out of a sheath on it? I have visions of pulling the knife and coming out with a knife in a sheath attached to a necklace. Downer dude, downer.
On the work facilities that require a badge on a neck lanyard, I just say no. I have worked in such facilities for years and I just refuse to wear something that displays my name and other information that could stand to make me a target. Periodically a security guard will ask to see it and I pull it out. The one or two times I have been told that it has to be displayed, I say thank you and go about my day as usual.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Marty McFly:
I don’t like beaded chains because I’m personally not a fan of the look, or especially the feel around my kneck. And there are SO many more options that can be had with paracord (style of knotting, easy customization for length, color).
The bonus is that should you ever need a piece of paracord to actually stand up to it’s 550 lbs. rating, well, you’ve got one handy.
Agree on the beaded chain not looking good, but it is more discrete. As for paracord, it is more colorful, but not my style either. I guess I will put my altitude on my belt, but that sheath is awful stiff. Not sure it will really work with a regular leather belt.0 -
quote:Orignally posted by Chip:
Interesting options on the breakaway lanyards, are they strong enough to not break when you snap a knife out of a sheath on it? I have visions of pulling the knife and coming out with a knife in a sheath attached to a necklace. Downer dude, downer.
Good question, Chip.
I saw it coming.
Glad you asked.
The breakaway clasps I get from work for free are what I use on my kneckers.
They do the job perfectly.
That said, not all breakaway clasps are created equal.
I’ve been given pens before that have a BAL with inferior clasps that come undone just from normal carry. You want one of good quality, that will present some resistance to force, but still do the job of detaching when considerable (dangerous) force is applied.
Also, as many who carry a kneck knife know, there is a bit of technique required to drawing the knife from the sheath. I personally love the convenience of a knecker for readiness of a one-handed draw. That being said, I don’t just yank the knife down when I need it. Doing so with most kydex sheaths would result in the sheath flying up and hitting you in the face, or at least flying around wildly. Something I’m not a fan of... So, to avoid wild sheath swinging when drawing the knife (as well as a two-handed draw - holding the sheath with one hand and pulling the knife with the other), I always do it like this:
1) Grab the handle of your kneck knife
2) Raise it up just enough to take the tension out of your lanyard
3) Use your thumb to pop the knife from the sheath
4) Smile, knowing your empty sheath has now dropped back down a few inches, as opposed to flying up and hitting you in the eye.
This method is the way to go, IMHO, no matter what you use to hang your knife.
The beauty of it is that it also negates the need to worry about detaching your breakaway lanyard, if you choose to wear one.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Chip:
On the work facilities that require a badge on a neck lanyard, I just say no. I have worked in such facilities for years and I just refuse to wear something that displays my name and other information that could stand to make me a target.
Well, I don’t have the luxury as doing as I please in my workplace, and am very much required (by law) to display my name. Also, in my line of work, I want people to know my name. No, I don’t want to be a “target” either, which is why I just remove my name tag when I leave the facility...0 -
quote:Agree on the beaded chain not looking good, but it is more discrete. As for paracord, it is more colorful, but not my style either. I guess I will put my altitude on my belt, but that sheath is awful stiff. Not sure it will really work with a regular leather belt.
I beg to differ that a beaded chain is more descret than a lanyard that could be made of countless materials, not just paracord. Lots of guys wear a strap style lanyard, like you often see attached to oeople’s keys (not my preference, however). I’m not into flashy colors either, as you may have noticed. I only buy black or OD green paracord, personally. But now that I think of it, all the lanyards I’ve tied are black.
I wouldn’t personally recommend you carry the Altitude on your belt, Chip.
If you want to to EDC one rather than just leave it in your pack (and have ruled out kneck carry as an option), I recommend that you carry it in your pocket. The beauty of the Altitude is that it is SO thin (.09” blade stock) and lightweight, which is why I personally love it as a knecker. But it’s design also lends itself well to being carried in pocket, even with the stock sheath.
Should you be serious about wanting to EDC an Altitude in pocket (or any small fixed blade, I’d recommend that you check out pocket sheaths with a clip, so that you can extinguish your concern of pulling your sheath our instead of your knife.
But I already know how you feel about pocket clips..
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quote:Originally posted by kirbysdl:
Just a few thoughts: carbidized titanium is light and 100% rustproof.
Another benefit of bead chains is safety. They can still slip inside gutted paracord if you prefer the feel, look, etc. of paracord. This gets around having to tie a bulky, and potentially dangerous, knot in the paracord.
/|\ I am not a fan of neck knife carry as a general rule, but at times it has been necessary.
1) paracord is pretty but dangerous even with a break- away snap ( putting a potential garrote around your own neck isn't the Smartest move)
2) not crazy about comfort of ball chain (some how the chain is always pulling hair out of my chest or back of my neck) so my best solution is put the ball chain inside the gutted paracord, BUT cut the paracord into 3 pieces so none is long enough to make a garrote.
3) neck knives are normally back up blades as Mark already mentioned, so light, flat & thin does not print as much.
4) as Benchmade is late to neck knife market, mine aren’t. Favorite fixed blade design by Darrell Ralph. I’ve a custom in Ti & copies by Camillus CUDA in Steel are good & were cost effective. They are flat & light. Second favorite Carson custom very small & light, CRKT made a good copy of the knife but CRKT sheath was fat & cumbersome as they wanted to work on belt too if I recall.
5) my most carried neck knife these days is a 940-1. There are aftermarket neck sheaths sold on eBay. It is light & flat, and best of all if I need it I am use to the knife as it is my normal EDC.
Again don’t put a loop of 550 paracord around your neck, even skinned paracord strength is over 200lbs.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Bill Hammer:
Again don’t put a loop of 550 paracord around your neck, even skinned paracord strength is over 200lbs.
Or, you could just take 5 minutes and learn to tie a breakaway knot..0 -
quote:Originally posted by archer:
Marty, I'm an old timer there were no such innovations as "breakaway lanyards", you made a knot to keep it around your neck. New world technology beats out old world experience
I can see why lots of people are mostly oblivious to breakaway lanyard clasps.
Good ones are not readily available.
I like them because they get rid of the bulk of a knot.
But, if you’re more of a traditional guy (or even ‘old school’, like Bill) or don’t like the idea of a clasp, breakaway knots are an easy solution. They can be tied a a few different ways, actually. They’ve been used for hundreds of years, btw.
Here’s an instructional video of an easy one:
LEARN TO TIE A BREAKAWAY KNOT0 -
quote:Originally posted by Marty McFly:quote:Originally posted by Bill Hammer:
Again don’t put a loop of 550 paracord around your neck, even skinned paracord strength is over 200lbs.
Or, you could just take 5 minutes and learn to tie a breakaway knot..
/|\ Sure Mac break away snaps & / or breakaway knots certainly can make paracord use safer, but I don’t want 22’ + of paracord around my neck for someone to grab on to (one hand on each side of a cute slip knot). I like paracord bracelets, jacket pulls, monkey fist key chains, I make them all & use them all. I’ve even made choker necklaces with breakaway snaps, roserey beads for wife’s friends. Mac, I just looking out for you as a friend, so you don’t accidentally hang yourselve from your tree stand by your neck knife cord (no chance with ball chain)0 -
quote:Originally posted by Bill Hammer:quote:Originally posted by Marty McFly:quote:Originally posted by Bill Hammer:
Again don’t put a loop of 550 paracord around your neck, even skinned paracord strength is over 200lbs.
Or, you could just take 5 minutes and learn to tie a breakaway knot..
/|\ Sure Mac break away snaps & / or breakaway knots certainly can make paracord use safer, but I don’t want 22’ + of paracord around my neck for someone to grab on to (one hand on each side of a cute slip knot). I like paracord bracelets, jacket pulls, monkey fist key chains, I make them all & use them all. I’ve even made choker necklaces with breakaway snaps, roserey beads for wife’s friends. Mac, I just looking out for you as a friend, so you don’t accidentally hang yourselve from your tree stand by your neck knife cord (no chance with ball chain)
Thanks for the concern, Bill.
I think we’ll have to agree to disagree here, though.
I’m not naive enough to believe that there isn’t a risk of wearing a neck lanyard.
I just happen to see the value of occasionally wearing a knife this way, and so sometimes, I do.
You know me... I don’t let fear or worry stop me from doing anything. I don’t want to go through life with the anxiety of not trying new/different things while fretting them. Plus, I’m a bit of a wild man, and I do take a lot of chances, I suppose. I’m certain my mind is far from being “tactically sound”. I just like to do the things I like to do...
I love this Forum for all the shared ideas, btw.
Considering many options is always a good thing, in my book.0 -
Marty, neat picture of the breakaway knot on the blue cord. Do you have a link to instructions? Thanks! 0 -
Sorry, no link at the moment...
I’m at work, just throwing pics and videos out there that can be quickly found with a Google search. YouTube has TONS of instructional knot tying videos. If I find one showcasing the specific style you’re referring to, I’ll post it.0 -
/|\ watched the video you graciously shared with us on a slip knot. Pretty easy peasie. Yes I can using it in a pinch if my ball chain breaks, but as a preferred carry method, not so much because that knot & extra cord hanging out the back of your shirt isn’t very discreet. Whereas ball chain seen around your neck in an open collar dress shirt more likely going to be viewed as holding your holy metal or coke spoon ( depending on your circle of friends). If you look on internet you can find ball chain in gold & black not just sliver. Black works for tatical situation & gold works for Italian weddings (from personal experience). 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Bill Hammer:
/|\ watched the video you graciously shared with us on a slip knot. Pretty easy peasie. Yes I can using it in a pinch if my ball chain breaks, but as a preferred carry method, not so much because that knot & extra cord hanging out the back of your shirt isn’t very discreet. Whereas ball chain seen around your neck in an open collar dress shirt more likely going to be viewed as holding your holy metal or coke spoon ( depending on your circle of friends). If you look on internet you can find ball chain in gold & black not just sliver. Black works for tatical situation & gold works for Italian weddings (from personal experience).
Coke spoon?
We have officially fallen down the rabbit hole...0 -
Ok, I have some ball chain coming from Amazon, I will experiment with the suggestions. With the numerous opinions and suggestions this thread has given me everything I was looking for and more. I like the idea of multiple pieces of paracord covering the ball chain, (I tend to get my hairs pulled too Bill). But I am really looking for lightweight and highly concealable.
The self defense aspect is for me an extremely unlikely scenario but I am often found in situation where concealed pistol carry isn't allowed and a traditional knife in the pocket isn't comfortable or possible, this seems to be the next best option.0 -
Haven't had an opportunity to try out the new neckers yet, though I do tend toward bigger knives for neck carry than a lot of people do. My absolute favorite neck carry knife is a Nim Cub 147BK in a 3rd party carbon fiber Concealex neck sheath. With the thin 0.115" blade stock and the Noryl GTX scales, it is virtually weightless. The BK coated 154CM steel is highly corrosion resistant. The 3.5" blade and full grip handle mean it can do almost anything I need a knife to do. And of course, the Nimravus design is one of the most versatile ever.
The Hunt Altitude looks like it might be more my kinda thing than the 101, with the 3" blade, but whether the handle provides enough grip to surpass the Nim Cub in my affections.
I am actually a bit of a neck knife nut. Around the house, it is among my favorite ways to carry a knife. Easy, one-handed access. The smaller knives are pretty much ideal for around the house uses. You can wear around your neck, or just stuff knife and sheath in a pants pocket.
Concealment isn't a big priority for me with neck knives because it is illegal in my state to carry a fixed blade concealed. So grip means a bit more to me than slimness. I can still appreciate the simplicity of a good skeleton handle knife though...
Ball chain has its advantages, but it is not my favorite. I prefer paracord. I've used the breakaway snaps, those work pretty well, but don't provide any length adjustment. I've just taken to tying a tension knot that comes apart under hard pulling and also allows easy length adjustments. How hard it is to break is just a function of how tight you tie it. Works well for me.
I've got a bunch of other neck knives, but I've posted them in the Chit Chat forum.0 -
Thanks, Po. The carrying not concealed would alleviate one of my neck knife concerns. I have visions of reaching under my shirt to deploy a neck knife on the quick and opening myself from neck to navel. I just don't think gutting myself with my own knife is a good longterm personal preservation strategy. 0 -
Yeah, that would be a sketchy way to carry...I remember some of my earliest reading about a "neck knife" in Tactical Knives magazine, made it sound like the intention was as a deep concealment kinda thing...though how such a concealment would get past a pat-down, I don't know. The knives in the article were little more than spikes with paracord around the handle. Barry Dawson still makes those, and so does Cold Steel. Wonder if there was a licensing deal... 
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Love my neck knives too.....but never wear them around my neck. No reason other than I don't like wearing anything around my neck.
I have a White River Caper that I wear on my belt using a Tek-Lok. I also recently bought a White River knucklehead which is currently my favorite neck knife. Very light and I just carry it in my pocket.0 -
Po... See all the cool kids neck carried a Nim Cub!!!
As for concealment and pat downs. In a pat down situation no it is not going to work. I think people are referring to environments where a clipped in the pocket carry would be noticed and frowned upon. There are ways to defeat pat downs and metal detectors but that is not information for a public forum. A metal neck knife, as you know, is not one of them.
I seem to think Cold Steel has a an agreement on the Spike series. I can't find it referenced in the current catalog but I seem to remember seeing it.0
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