Welcome to RECOIL's first ever jewelry buyer's guide. But instead of polishing pearl necklaces or gawking at gold chains with diamonds, we're zeroing in on an ornament that is decidedly manlier: the neck knife. Dangling at sternum height, this type of accessory is something we'd be glad to model at the nearest gun range, campsite, or dark alley.
But neck knives are more than just a bold fashion statement. They serve a few roles, most important of which is as a last-ditch tool. These blades are clearly not a primary weapon, or even a secondary one. But neck knives could very well be your last line of defense.
Imagine it's the EOTWAWKI. You're out of ammo, your folder knife has failed you, and you've just been rushed by some desperate raiders looking to take your supplies or your life — or both. Perhaps you're in the backcountry, hunting for game when a wild boar bursts through the brush and hits you at 30 mph. Your rifle goes flying into the foliage. You're on your back, dazed, when the swine returns to finish the job. In either case, a neck knife could very well be the only tool in reach.
By their nature, neck knives are small and carried in a “pendant rig” — a sheath (often made of Kydex) that's hung around the neck using paracord or a ball chain. The full-tang blades are usually about 3 inches, while the handles are significantly shorter than those found on other types of fixed blades. This compact anatomy is to keep the weight down and to prevent it from getting in the user's way when not in use. While some people wear the rig underneath their shirts, this slows the quick-draw nature of the tool — not to mention raising the eyebrows of law enforcement in jurisdictions where concealed weapons are strictly regulated. No doubt your circumstances will dictate how you wear your neck knife.
Whatever your situation, a neck knife could be a nice backup plan for your backup plan, be it for your bug-out preparations or your next outdoor adventure. So, in this edition of “Unusual Suspects,” we round up some recent models that come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and styles. Don't forget to turn the page for our closer interrogation of each one. We're certain you'll find a neck knife here that meets your manly “jewelry” needs.
Make:
Magnum by Boker
Model:
Lil Friend Clip Tanto
OAL:
4.63 inches
Blade Length:
2 inches
Blade Material:
440 stainless steel
Weight:
1.6 ounces
MSRP:
$26
URL:
www.boker.de/us
Make:
TOPS Knives
Model:
Mini Scandi
OAL:
6.13 inches
Blade Length:
3 inches
Blade Material:
1095 high-carbon steel
Weight:
2.2 ounces
MSRP:
$90
URL:
www.topsknives.com
Make:
Blackhawk!
Model:
XSF Micro
OAL:
6.2 inches
Blade Length:
3.2 inches
Blade Material:
AUS-8A stainless steel
Weight:
1.5 ounces
MSRP:
$30
URL:
www.blackhawk.com
Make:
Spartan Blades
Model:
Enyo
OAL:
6.25 inches
Blade Length:
2.69 inches
Blade Material:
CPM S35VN stainless steel
Weight:
2.8 ounces
MSRP:
$150
URL:
www.spartanbladesusa.com
Make:
Columbia River Knife & Tool
Model:
SPEW
OAL:
6.25 inches
Blade Length:
3 inches
Blade Material:
5CR15MoV stainless steel
Weight:
3 ounces
MSRP:
$45
URL:
www.crkt.com
Make:
CampCo Inc.
Model:
UZI Covert Neck Knife
OAL:
8 inches
Blade Length:
3.75 inches
Blade Material:
3cr13 420 stainless steel
Weight:
2.9 ounces
MSRP:
$20
URL:
www.uzi.com
411:
This blade looks like a training knife you might buy your toddler if you want to get her started early. But the Lil Friend is actually a real neck knife — if you have really small paws. Though Boker's Magnum line is made in China and Taiwan, not Germany, this model is well built with a cool design.
Pros:
Cons:
411:
This TOPS blade proves that big things come in small packages. Its name refers to its Scandinavian grind, which results in a strong blade with great edge retention that's easy to sharpen. Modeled after a larger TOPS bushcrafting knife called B.O.B., the Mini Scandi lives up to its lineage as a serious tool for outdoor adventurers.
Pros:
Cons:
411:
The XSF Micro‘s blade has two diagonally opposing grinds on either side, creating a third cutting edge at the top instead of a pinpoint tip. The knife was designed by Brent Beshara (a custom knifemaker, lifelong martial artist, and former Canadian special forces operator), who found that combat daggers often failed in the field due to weak tip strength.
Pros:
Cons:
411:
After testing the Enyo, one term comes to mind: bad ass. Pronounced “Eye-nye-oh” and named after the Greek goddess of war, this is the kind of neck knife we'd wear into harm's way without hesitation. It's brilliantly constructed and razor sharp, with a killer look — available in black and flat dark earth with matching Kydex sheath.
Pros:
Cons:
411:
Despite the unappealing name, the SPEW (an acronym for “Small Pocket Everyday Wharncliffe”) is actually quite charming. Not only do we dig its aggressive aesthetic, it feels and works like a large, dependable blade…but in the form of a petite neck knife.
Pros:
Cons:
411:
If you're looking for a larger neck knife but without the usual increase in cost, CampCo's UZI-branded model could meet your needs. At just 20 bucks, it offers a medium-sized knife that fits comfortably in hand while weighing just 3.8 ounces (with the pendant rig) around your neck.
Pros:
Cons:
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