As their name implies, neck knives are knives that a person keeps around their neck. These knives are designed to give the wearer a quality blade that’s easy to reach no matter what circumstances they find themselves in. That’s why so many people buy and wear these knives to use for self-defense or for survival situations. It’s also the reason why we’ve decided to review the best neck knives available. We feel that anybody who wants one of these knives should be able to buy the best one available. So without further ado, here are the knives that we truly believe are the best ones available.
Quick Summary of the Best Neck Knives
- Editor’s Choice
Ka-Bar Becker Necker Knife (Amazon) – Review - Also Recommended
SOG Small Instinct Mini Survival Knife (Amazon) – Review - Also Consider
Boker Magnum Lil Friend Micro Knife (Amazon) – Review
Editor’s Choice: Ka-Bar Becker Necker Knife
In our minds, the best neck knife not only has a design that makes it easy for a person to wear, but it also has a super sharp edge and is made from high-quality steel. Fortunately, this particular neck knife was able to hit all of those points head-on. This knife is one of the best-made knives we’ve ever seen, and we believe that all of our readers are going to love using it. With that being said, let’s look at some of its finer points, shall we?
These knives are approximately 6.75-inches in length and they have a blade length of 3.25-inches. They are made with super-strong 1095 Cro-Van steel, which makes the knife virtually indestructible and makes the user feel like the blade is virtually indestructible. Another thing that we liked about these knives is that they’re one-piece, which means that the handle and the blade are stamped out of the same piece of metal. That makes them more durable than both full-tang or hidden tang knives.
These knives are also well designed. They’re balanced perfectly and they have a drop point edge that’s very nice. They also have a 15-degree edge angle and weigh approximately 2.4-ounces. Another thing we’d like to note is that these knives come with a plastic, injection-molded sheath. This sheat features glass-filled nylon that holds the blade perfectly but feels a little bulkier than we would’ve liked.
Another thing that we would like to mention about these knives is that they can not only be used as neck knives but can also be attached to a boot, a belt, a backpack, or even a tactical vest. All of these features make these knives not only ideal for anyone who wants to have a work knife available to them at all times but also makes it suitable for hunting, fishing, camping, or as a fine addition to any EDC kit or bug-out bag.
Also Recommended: SOG Small Instinct Mini Survival Knife
The SOG Instinct Mini is a great neck knife for anyone who’s been searching for one of these knives. This product is only 4.8-inches in total length, has a 1.9-inch blade, and comes with a sheath. This sheath is equipped with a dog chain that allows the knife to be carried around the neck so that it’s always handy. Although we can’t say that this chain was very comfortable, it did keep the knife within reach for when it was needed.
This knife is made with a straight-edge clip point blade that’s made out of 5CR15MOV stainless steel. It also features a textured G10 handle that comes complete with jimping and finger grooves. These features help the handle conform to the user’s hand, and gives them excellent blade control. Another thing that we liked about this knife is that it only weighs 1.4-ounces, so it doesn’t weight on the neck the way that other neck knives tend to do.
We’d also like to mention that these knives are made by SOG, a U.S based tool and knife company that was founded in 1986. This company is named in honor of the Studies & Observations Group, Military Assistance Command—in honor of a special operations unit. It’s a knife that’s designed to approximate a military knife and in our opinion, it does a good job of doing just that. This is a quality knife with a full tang blade that has the quality that people need their knives to have.
It also should be said that this is also a good looking knife. It has a stylish design that would go with just about any outfit. It’s 360-degree mount hard-molded sheath looks good and doesn’t bounce around a whole lot while it’s being carried. Everything considered we think that this is a great neck knife that anyone can enjoy using.
Also Consider: Boker Magnum Lil Friend Micro Knife
We think that we will begin this review by stating that this particular knife is pretty small. It only has an overall length of 3-3/8-inches, a blade length of 1-3/8-inches, and weighs approximately 1.3-ounces. For some people, this would be the perfect neck knife for everyday carry because it’s barely noticeable. However, for other people who need a more substantial blade, then this probably won’t be the best choice for them.
Having said that, let’s take a closer look at this knife. It’s made with a 440 stainless steel blade that’s nice and sharp and is resistant to corrosion. It also comes with G-10 handle scales that are easy to grasp, so the consumer can always keep a grip on it while using it. At the end of the handle is a hole that allows the user to attach a lanyard to the end of it. And it comes with a Kydex sheath with a chain that allows it to be easily hung around the neck.
This knife also gives the consumer plenty of options for how it can be carried. It doesn’t have to be used as a neck knife if the consumer doesn’t want to wear it that way. It can also be carried in a pocket or attached to the user’s gear or pocket.
Taking all of its features into consideration, we have to say that we feel that this is a great budget neck knife. It might be a little small for our tastes, but we feel that many of our readers are going to love how they can almost forget that they are wearing it. And because its made by Boker and backed by the company’s limited lifetime warranty, most consumers can expect it to be a decent knife for EDC, hunting, or camping.
Buying The Best Neck Knife Available
Now that we’ve gone over some of our favorite neck knives, we’ve decided to go ahead and write a guide that will help all of our readers choose the best neck knife for themselves. In this guide, our readers will find everything they need to know to make the most informed decision possible while buying a new neck knife.
Step One: Consider The Knife’s Legality
Before a person should even begin their search for a neck knife, they should take the time to find out if the knife is even legal where they live. Knife laws vary greatly all over the world, and even among the States in the U.S, so they should make sure they can legally carry one before they spend good money on buying one. In many areas, these knives may be considered concealed knives, which could potentially mean they’re illegal.
Step Two: Choose From Among The Best Brands
Another thing that the consumer might want to think about when shopping for a new neck knife is the manufacturer of the knife. Let’s face facts, there are a lot of companies making knives, and not all of them are making quality knives. However, if the consumer starts by shopping for knives created by knife companies known for their attention to detail and build quality, then they can narrow down their options and be more likely to find the best neck knife for their needs. Below are some of the brands making quality knives nowadays.
The Top Neck Knife Brands:
- Ka-Bar
- Cold Steel
- Spyderco
- Böker
- SOG
- Esee
Step Three: Consider The Knife’s Construction
It’s also a good idea for the consumer to think about how the knife is constructed. When it comes to neck knives, consumers should make sure to choose knives with quality stainless steel blades and quality handles. Although in most cases consumers can choose between carbon steel and stainless steel blades depending on their needs, it’s our opinion that consumers should only choose neck knives with stainless steel blades. That’s because these blades are more resistant to corrosion and won’t corrode if they come into contact with the wearer’s sweat.
Most quality neck knives are made with either a polished resin or with a G10 handle. Both are good, but G10 handles are our favorite because we feel that they provide the best combination of grip, durability, and comfort. G10 handles are a thermoset plastic laminate that’s made using high-pressure and set upon layers of fiberglass mesh cloth that’s been imbued with an epoxy resin binder. This makes the material extremely durable, which is probably why it’s not only used on knife handles but also gun handles and even printed circuit boards.
Step Four: Consider The Knife’s Size & Weight
The next thing the consumer should consider is the size and weight of the knife. They want to make sure that it’s small enough to be easily carried, but not so small that it’s inconvenient to use. Although this will mean different things to different people, most people are going to want to purchase a knife with a total size of 3.25-inches to 5-inches. They will also make sure that the knife is under 4-ounces, so it’s easy to carry.
Step Five: Let Its Intended Use Inform Design
The consumer should make sure that they shop for a knife that has a design that’s well suited for how it’s going to be used. People carry neck knives for a variety of reasons including self-defense, survival, or even as work knives. Therefore, the consumer should make sure that the knife they choose is well designed for its intended job.
Step Six: The Sheath & Chain
Another thing that the consumer is probably going to want to think about is the sheath and chain. They should make sure that both of these accessories are well made and won’t rub excessively on their skin while they’re wearing it. They might also want to make sure that the knife can not only be worn around the neck but can also be attached to a pocket or backpack.
Step Seven: Think About The Budget
And finally, the consumer is going to want to make sure that they consider how the knife they want fits into their budget. There are very high-end neck knives that are in the $100+ range, and there are budget knives in the under $20 range. Of course, knives in these two different ranges are unlikely to have the same features or build quality, so the consumer is going to have to weigh that into their decision as well.
