Sticking your neck out: the most useful knife may be the one hanging by a string

Guns Magazine, August, 2004 by Jim Gardner

The knife is man's earliest and most useful tool. Of course to be useful, you've got to have it when you need it. People around the globe developed many different means for keeping their stone, then copper, bronze and iron blades close at hand, but one fairly common method was by a sheath suspended around the neck.

Early colonists in North America found the indigenous peoples were quite fond of the neck knife. Not only was it a functional means of keeping a blade handy, but often the scabbard was highly ornamented with quill work or dyed moose hair embroidery and later, with glass beads acquired in trade.

While it has its downsides, a small knife in a neck sheath can be worn in any climate regardless of mode of dress and remain easily accessed. It's also less likely to be lost than a sheathed knife on a belt or sash. You might think this archaic method of blade carry would be confined to dusty museum shelves but surprisingly, a large number of factory and custom knife makers are offering neck knives today. Why?

Modern Versatility

Several positive aspects have caused a resurgence of the neck knife. Most notably, a small blade suspended on a neck chain is highly concealable yet easily accessed. One undercover police officer has written that a neck knife is unlikely to be found during a quick pat down search, and if discovered, it doesn't scream "Cop".

Citizens too have taken to the neck knife as a defensive tool. In areas where a permit to carry a concealed firearm is unobtainable, a small blade may be the only option. No sane person wants to get into a "knife fight," but it's comforting to have an ace up your sleeve if trouble finds you.

Some hunters use the neck knife, and if" asked, would probably tell you it's because it's easy to keep in reach even when adding or removing layers of clothing throughout the day. Fishermen too find this carry mode handy and convenient, and it makes it a lot easier to keep your cutter dry when wading.

But if answering honestly, many people who wear a neck knife today do so for the same reasons the woodland Indians did--as dual ornamentation and badge of affiliation. A snazzy custom blade conspicuously displayed tells the world where your interests lie and who you are. Admit it, most guys do this to one degree or another--look at all the logo tee-shirts and ball caps we wear. A neck knife is simply a more useful example of this behavior.

Multiple Carry Modes

Can't see yourself walking down the street or showing up at the job with a knife suspended around your neck? Fair enough. but don't overlook the versatility of these small blades. These blade/sheath systems may be carried in countless ways. And, because the scabbards are designed to retain the knife securely, they can be mounted in any attitude.

Mount one to the deck of your kayak for emergency use? No problem. Ty-Rap it to the roll-bar in your Jeep? Sure! Stitch one to your pack or shooting bag? Absolutely. Attach it to one of the straps securing your soft body armor? A lot of badge wearers do. In short, these are the most versatile small fixed-blade knives you'll ever see.

If however you do elect to employ one of these handy little cutters as a neck knife, here's a word of warning--be certain your suspension cord will break away if required. It doesn't take much imagining to see how this neck strap could conceivably become entangled, and we don't want to put a noose around our own necks.

So, enough about why we like neck knives, let's look at a few nice examples.

Tim Ridge, Bladesmith

To get a quick glimpse into the history of neck knives, take a look at the bone-handled sheep's foot blade from Tim Ridge of Swamp Fox Knives. Nope, there's no Kydex here, just hand-forged 1095 steel, natural bone secured with iron pins and a well-sewn, handsomely ornamented leather sheath.

This is a peach of a small blade with a little early French influence, and while it's most likely to end up as a buckskinner's patch knife, this petite instrument is really big enough to handle almost any modern woodsman's chore. Check the table for the trim dimensions and light weight of this little dandy, but sadly, you can't understand how delicate it is unless you handle it. Trust me, it's very, very nice.

Mister Neck Knife

Perhaps the name most closely associated with modern neck knives is Bud Nealy. His sleek, exotic designs have been serving cops, servicemen and citizens for over 20 years. But then again, describing Nealy's blades as neck knives is hardly fair. Yes, he's done more to popularize this carry style than anyone in the past 200 years, but his sheath systems are far too versatile to be confined to a single mode of use.

Actually, Bud offers two different sheath systems. His first, the MCS, is uniquely designed to permit carrying the knife nearly anywhere on the body--blade-up or blade-down--with complete security. In addition to precision molding, his MCS system makes use of a small rare earth magnet to provide certain security and smooth withdrawal of the knife when needed.