How to Wear a Neck Knife

R

Redmage

Joined
Aug 18, 2004
Messages
4
Hello, I'm something of a knife novice, and I have what may be a rookie question. I've worn and used belt knives and folders for many years, and I've recently become interested in adding a neck knife to my carry, based on what I've heard of their usefullness as holdouts. But I find that I can't quite figure out how they're meant to be worn or drawn. Can someone spell this out in small words so a newbie like me can understand?

Thanks!

Scott
 
Well the simple answer is "around the neck". But, there are a number of variations whether it be over your shirt under your shirt. I've known some to carry it around the neck and under the armpit. As far as drawing goes depends on the sheath but normally hold the sheath with one hand and draw with the other. With some sheaths with a thumb release - it can be drawn one handed. I carry a neck knife most of the time simply around the neck and outside my clothing - when necessary I tuck it inside my shirt etc.
 
you just string your neck lanyard thru your sheath, and you can then carry it either tip-up or tip-down depending on your needs.

tip-up carry on a neck knife is usually more geared towards a tactical thing, so you can just grab the handle and pull to draw it from the sheath. but many cultures have traditionally carried neck knives tip-down, so they can just grab their sheath and draw their knife when needed.
 
Generally, suspension of the knife should be low enough that the top of the sheath is beneath the neckline (not visible) and the bottom of the knife handle is above your diaphragm/belly (not 'printing' through shirt). This usually dictates a maximum knife length of about 7".

The length of the necklace should be adjusted to match the above concealment parameters.

Some thought should go into a non-twist sheath suspension design - so the handle is always in the preferred grip orientation.

Pull the bottom of your shirt front away from your body with your off-hand, reach under your shirt and draw the knife with your grip-hand. Give some thought and practice to NOT SLICING your belly on the draw.
 
um one thing to keep in mind. the knife should be worn around the neck with a break away chain or cord of some kind. so that it will break instead of strangling you.
 
gud4u said:
Some thought should go into a non-twist sheath suspension design - so the handle is always in the preferred grip orientation.
Click to expand...

A very valid point. If it's a double edge with neutral handle design it isn't such a concern. Something single edge or with a orientation to the handle can get backasswards on you. I like ballchain threaded through the outer sleeve of 550 cord to suspend the sheath. The outer paracord sleeve feels better on the neck to me and keeps the chain from "clicking" as it moves through the sheath eyelet.
Stay Safe,
Clyde
 
I carry kneck knives a lot, some with exposed ball chain and some with it covered in paracord. Still another knife I have came with just paracord, the inside removed and the cord was ironed flat. The part that troubles me over the paracord wrapped ball chain is that you trade comfort for potential strangle hazard. It's it's grabbed a certain way, the ball chain will not break, as it's tensile strength is bolstered by the paracord. For those that carry tactically, there are other ways to have it in neck carry position, but without the cord actuall going around your neck. And there is the figure 8 cord, where it goes onto you like a shoulder pistol, with the knife handing alongside your ribcage. Only then, it becomes cross-draw to unsheath and hopefully you'll have the correct hand free.
 
I carry a necker attached by a paracord covered ball chain to a belt loop and the knife tucked into my right rear pocket, the chain acts as a static cord when I draw the knife, the sheath pulls free and drops away.
 
I carry in a kydex sheath, under my shirt.

2" folder, tip down, bottom of the sternum(I can lay flat on it).
 
I find neckers to be highly practical, but not in the scenarios that most others think. If I were to wear a neck knife it would be OUTSIDE the shirt, when concealment is NOT an issue - ie.- in the garden, hiking, etc. Neck knives if worn correctly, are placed in a most accessible spot for immediate availability. However, wearing it underneath a shirt, particularly where it is most concealable, defeats this concept entirely.

I am not advocating use of a knife for concealed carry or for self-defense purposes anyway ... ;) ;) :p

I have also become concerned about 2 other safety aspects of neck knives.

1) Already mentioned - the strangulation risk - this applies also to general outdoors use. I have had my neck knife snagged on branches etc. Doesn't have to be someone trying to do you harm.

2) Blunt trauma risk. A poorly designed / chosen neck knife can be too long, causing accidental trauma to your chest or abdomen in a fall, and the best-designed sheath can punch you painfully in the throat if you fall.

I realise I AM accident prone, but these are real risks. They've already happened to me. These days, to achieve the same effect, when hiking etc. I rig my "neck knife" upside down on the left side shoulder webbing of my backpack. I also find the "static cord" method to be useful. Jason.
 
hello,
I actuly prefer to carry a "neck knife" under my belt, if you use a bit of para cord and tie the bottom of the sheath to one of the belt loops on jeans etc. you can tuck it in to your trousers with just enough of the handle showing for effective deploy. the paracord means the sheath is retained when you pull out the knife leaving the sheath hanging from the shot piece of cord. (i got this idea from Fred Perrin)

P.S. you will need to play wth the paracord length and watch for a conceled wepon charge ! but this works the best for me.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top