What's the deal with micro neck knives?

[19-3Ben]

While I love knives, I'm not super "up" on the latest and greatest in trends and equipment.
I got to looking recently and I've noticed that a lot of companies seem to have jumped on this trend of super tiny neck knives. Especially, I've noticed that there are many very inexpensive ones that actually seem to get decent reviews. There just aren't very many reviews though, so I thought i'd ask here.
I'm trying to figure out if these would have much utility for a guy like me.

The Boker Magnum lil friend clip, can be had on Amazon for a whopping $16. The Mtech competitor is even cheaper at only $9.

Now, in general, i've learned that you get what you pay for, and at under $20, there's not a lot of good stuff in the knife market (yes, i love my Opinel and my Mora. I know there are exceptions to the rule), but thought I might ask in case they happen to be decent.

I'm also very interested in the Boker Plus Gnome. Very nice looking design, although I'm not sure how practical it would be in practice.

Ultimately, as a guy who ALWAYS has a folding knife on him (usually a Benchmade Griptillian or Leatherman Skeletool, sometimes a Case), does a neck knife offer me any real advantages? I've never been in a day-to-day situation where I felt like I had to exert so much stress on a knife that I thought I might break it. I simply use them to do what knives do... cut stuff. So if the only advantage is the inherent strength of a full tang fixed blade, i can pass.

So basically, do i have any reason to buy a super tiny neck knife other than "just because?"

I'll add that Becker's excellent BK11 has been on my very short list for a while and has made it to the top, so I am not opposed to a "normal" sized neck knife. Just asking if the micro ones are any good.

 

[hso]

Small neckers can be much lighter than a folder because they lack the mechanism for locks and pivots, but the commercial sheaths that come with them can add that weight back. A simple fold over kydex made yourself can drive the weight back down below a folder easily.

The orientation of a necker is always the same while a folder may be at the bottom of a pocket full of stuff.

No locks to fail, no pivots to gum up.

A small necker can have a small enough blade to be useful day to day and just large enough handle to hold onto and use easier than a folder (although Spyderco is well known with breaking from filling the folder with blade and making small blade folders in frames just large enough to actually hold onto).

A knife you wear is more likely to be there with you all the time than one you carry. A knife light enough to wear without thinking about it, especially so.

That said, knife popularity flows like many things and this year small neckers are more popular than in the past (see our own J Shirley and Sam 1911's ARK design with Spyderco), but the great thing about that is we see new ideas fostered that way and brought to the using public and we'll end up with a few designs with long term appeal. Also, when you aren't told what steel is used you begin to wonder what they're hiding (440 or "stainless" isn't specific enough).

As to the knives you pointed out - Neither of the Bokers appear to have enough handle to be as useful for day to day use. They are 2 finger knives and a 3 finger grip gives more options.

 

[Sam1911]

So basically, do i have any reason to buy a super tiny neck knife other than "just because?"

You may not. I mean, any of us can deal with our tasks and problem situations with all manner of implements. A neck knife is just one option. But it might be a good one for some reasons.

To quote the product literature from Spyderco on the ARK:

While deployed to Afghanistan, Shirley learned that an alarming number of U.S. personnel were falling victim to sexual assault, particularly while showering. Drawing from his knowledge of the Japanese martial arts ...they developed the ARK as a lightweight self-defense tool that can literally be carried anywhere.

In other words, it is made of completely rust-proof H1 steel and it weights less than one ounce. The one thing every soldier has with him/her even while showering is their tags. The ARK can ride on the tag chain all the time without being a nuisance, and can't be harmed in any way by thousands of trips to the shower. A troop deployed to one of the sandbox places where these sorts of assaults are commonly perpetrated by local nationals employed on base, or by our "friendly" coalition partners, can get in the habit of never taking it off and always having a capable edge even in the most unguarded moments.

 

[Evil-Twin]

Gibbs rule # 9 never leave home without a knife

Just joking on the Gibbs rule but its a good idea to carry a knife.... I carry two.. a Swiss army knife ( huntsman ) and a Zero tolerance very high end knife.
One is a tool and the other is cool...



In my opinion, a knife that you can't get a good grip on is not as controllable or as effective as a full hand on grip

 

[JShirley]

I am not a big fan of neck knives or carry, but there are times when it is the most or only practical carry option.

Most "neck knives" are too big for good neck carry, though I have thought very highly of the Folts Minimalist, despite the lower-end steel.

I can say that Spyderco's execution of the ARK has resulted in the best neck knife I've seen.

 

[hso]

The Folts can be had in CPM 154CM for about $125, but that's a long way above the CRKT version.

The ARK is about the best quality for the money out there.

Other good items are the CRKT Ed VanHoy Cling-On in 8Cr13MoV, the same company offers the Burnely Achi and the Halligan Sweet Kiss in the same steel, the old CRKT Bear Claw was handy, The ESEE Candiru is good if you wrap the grip, Spartan's Enyo is nice, Ka-Bar's Snoddy Snake Charmer should be good, TOPS/Buck CSAR-T Liaison might work ok.

Sam's kiridashis that John designed are pretty dang handy as well.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

I'm looking around for one.

 

[rcmodel]

I have probably near 100 decently good fixed and folding knives.
But I didn't have a neck knife.

So I bought this CRKT Folts designed Keramin last year on sale for $19.95 with a special purpose in mind.

It is ideal for clipping weeds and vines in the fence line while mowing.

And even more ideal in the water gardens for cleaning up dead Water Lilies & Lotus under water while wearing chest waders.

A normal folder is not reachable inside chest waders, and a bigger sheath knife is likely to puncture the rubber pond liners if you drop it.

I replaced the paracord neck cord with a breakable S/S bead chain so I can't hang myself on a ladder or something.





Not the best at holding an edge I have seen.

But its been a very worthwhile investment for what I use it for!

http://www.crkt.com/keramin-kerambit-neck-knife-2389

http://www.crkt.com/Folts-Minimalist-Bowie-Razor-Edge-Knife

http://www.crkt.com/Folts-Minimalist-Tanto-Razor-Edge-Knife

http://www.crkt.com/Folts-Minimalist-Neck-Knife-Razor-Sharp-Edge

rc

 

[bannockburn]

rc

Thanks for the links. Like the looks of the CRKT Folts-Minimalist Tanto.

 

[kBob]

40 years ago I carried two additional things on my dog tag chain. A P38 Shellby can opener and a small, cheap all stainless steel folder that had a tiny bottle opener taking up half the blade. Besides being able to open German beer bottles I liked having that huge 3/4 inch cutting edge......beat not having any thing. It was useful for sharpening pencils and opening packages. While I would want better if forced to fight for my virginity in a shower, it beat nothing.

-kBob

 

[19-3Ben]

Oh man you guys have given me a lot to think about.
I really don't know if it would have utility enough to warrant buying a neck knife. On the other hand, I could definitely come up with excuses because, well, I kinda want one.

Thank you for all the advice!

 

[QwikKotaTx]

I use a small, flat CRKT neck knife that has a kydex sheath on a chain. It's cheap and has a gut hook side blade as well but I only wear it for fishing and it can rust.

 

[Litlman]

I have a Candiru wrapped with para cord, a couple of Izula's (no para cord) and the New ARK. While the Esee's can be used for banging on anything or self defense, I look at the ARK as a self defense tool period. Very light, thin, sharp, with a sharp point. It is purpose built. H1 steel, I put it on and forget about it. I have to watch the Esee's for rust. Watch the video in JShirley's sign off to see what I mean about the ARK. (the Esse's are great knives too, tough as nails).

 

[Dirty Bob]

Neck knives can be very useful utility blades, and for many cutting tasks a small blade is no handicap. It's also lower profile. While I have trouble getting my pocketknife out when seated, I can reach between two buttons and have my neck knife in my hands with little fuss or movement. Most people never even see it, due to the small size and lack of gymnastics to get to it.

The Spyderco ARK is an outstanding utility knife in addition to its potential for self-defense. The thin, tapered blade makes it work like a tiny paring knife. I tried it in the kitchen and sliced and chopped onions, tomatoes and peppers (I was making juevos a la mexicana). To slice the tomatoes without any effort, I was forced to spend about 20 seconds with light pressure on the fine (white) ceramic sticks of my Spyderco Sharpmaker. No amount of acidic food will spot or stain that blade. I really like the ARK.

Dirty Bob

 

[Sam1911]

That's GREAT! Glad you're liking it.


I also find that a neck knife can be a discrete tool for utility tasks. While I could whip out a large pocket knife to open boxes or whatever around the office, I can usually have my little "Sam-to" in my hand, the task done, and clicked back into place without a co-worker standing next to me even realizing I had a blade out.

And that's considering that I'm usually about as graceful and "smooove" as a bowling ball with one flat edge.

 

[USAF_Vet]

I carry at least two knives everyday. The current folder in my rotation is a $10 Coast from Home Depot. The other is a CRKT Folts minimalist tanto. The cheap Coast is for everyday cutting but the neck knife is a last ditch defense knife.

It's small, light weight, sharp (although doesn't hold an.edge under moderate use), but best of all it is ever present.

 

[TwinReverb]

I think neck knives are only a last resort weapon.

 

[JShirley]

Knives in general are almost a last resort weapon*. The real "last resort weapon" is using your bare hands and fingernails against a deadly threat.

*because it's always preferable to stop a threat before it reaches you

 

[Tirod]

Not everyone is a neck knife user. I've bought my share over the years yet the CRKT Folts Tanto is about the only one I've consistently worn and used.

It's backup only simply because a clipped liner/frame lock is faster and easier for me to use edc. Cutting open parts boxes, cutting them down for discard, rubber hose, etc., in retail situation the clip folder is fast and there's very little shock and awe from customers.

It's expected a skilled trade would use one.

Reach for a neck knife in a public situation and there's almost no cultural familiarity, same as seeing someone Open Carry an AR pistol. A 3" 1911 9mm compact, fairly common sight. Tiny neck knife - unfamiliar, = danger.

As a dangler or pocket carried it goes back to being a skilled tradesperson's knife if appropriately dressed in the correct environment. I would no more think twice of seeing a HAK on a loadout vest - other than Hey, he's got one, too. A neck knife walking into a parts store - not so much. Maybe further out in rural areas or in a notably "nonurbanized" town.

Camping/hunting/hiking, no big deal. Up to a 16" blade is ok out in the woods. Neck knives don't seem to make the jump to surburbanized gathering places in town, it's almost purely sociological. Which limits where and how often I get to carry one and actually use it.

In a metro where I can count almost daily someone armed coming in the door, a neck knife is a rare sight. Clipped pocket knife or folding box cutter, tho, common as dirt. Neck knives are likely to have shorter blades but are much less acceptable here - as far as I can see.

Might be the point.

 

[TimboKhan]

I am not a particularly big fan of neck knives, but like John Shirley said, there are times when they are just the ticket. The principle of dangling a knife around the neck where it is easy to get to isn't new, its just that these days we have better options most of the time.

As a side note, I am lucky enough to own a very early protoytpe of the ARK, and it actually sees a fair bit of use around the house. Interestingly, I use it in the kitchen all the time. But it has also become my go to knife for opening toy packages, boxes, and other things like that. I will buy a factory ARK one day so as to complete the set, but I also want one because I find it generally useful.

I also have a becker necker that I enjoy using, though I find it too big for neck carry and do no do so.

 

[leadcounsel]

On a hot day, a neck knife is a good tool to take on a long run. Weighs very little.

 

[herrwalther]

Some folks like neck knives and others don't. I have two neck knives, both bought as novelty items without ever thinking they would be very useful. One of our few female soldiers on base had a close call with one of our locals in the shower. After that she started showering with her sidearm on the shelf above her head and I let her borrow my Kabar LDK or Last Ditch Knife to wear around her neck.

The concept of neck knives is simple, compared to knife for X duty whether that is fixed blade or folder. A neck knife must be small, sharp, light, and unobtrusive. They aren't usually very durable as they are not designed to slice cord or other work horse tasks. They have a very specific task and purpose in mind.

 

[Tirod]

A neck knife isn't limited to anything other than being hung from a cord or chain about the neck, it's construction and materials aren't limited in size or strength. I've got neck knives that could take far more abuse than a folder of the same blade length.

Say, CRKT Doug Ritter Mk 6 vs Buck Strider in 420/FRN. The Buck can't stay locked unless you wedge it with a stick. Piece of junk. Spyderco and Benchmade imported better Chinese knives. And I'd put up a Stiff Kiss to any of the folders for daily use. Plenty of others could chime in.

 

[19-3Ben]

So here's the followup.

I wasn't sure if I was going to like a neck knife or not, so I ended up ordering the CRKT Foltz Minimalist that JShirley and rcmodel mentioned. I went with the bowie style blade for several reasons.

I am very impressed with the build quality at the price point. I wore it for several days. Overall, I can tell it's a good example for what it is, but I just don't think i'm a "neck knife guy" I'd rather wear something a little bigger on a belt, or just use my pocket knife. My Griptillian is more comfortable to hold, has a longer blade to work with, and doesn't have to hang on my neck. I hate having it bouncing against my chest with each stride, and I hate that to access it i have to reach into my shirt. I can't very well wear it hanging outside the shirt in suburban CT, and if I am hiking, I prefer a belt knife anyway, so where't the advantage?

Fortunately, my wife picked it up and said, "Wow, that knife feels perfect in my hand! I want one for my break down bag in the car."
So there you have it. Neck knives aren't for me, but the size made it perfect to throw in the backpack my wife keeps in the car with her "get home" supplies.

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

The Folts knives are handy in a pocket or a belt as well. That is actually a practical little sheath that comes with it. I tuck my SPEW behind my gun belt semi-horizontal in front and I can access it with either hand easily. It s also light and makes for easy pocket carry.

I'm looking forward to trying out the ARK, which looks like the same convenient package but with better steel and a more solid grip. That's my only gripe with the CRKT copies of the Folts knives.