Whether it be a survival situation, just a regular day, or a post-apocalyptic event, a perfect neck knife can be an important tool for you. When you have the best neck knives, you can use them as a workhorse tool or use them for self-defense.
A small neck knife may appear like a peeler, but they are extremely light and sharper than the everyday kitchen knife. But that doesn’t mean that you can use any neck knives available in the market. Well, there are some important factors and features that you need to consider.
After all, this is a perfect self-defense tool, and you can use it in different emergencies. For example, you can use it as a backup weapon, to cut stubborn stems, as a can opener, for opening packages, and during your camping.
Most modern neck knives come with better materials, better grip, and a good overall length. Besides, they also have titanium or steel chains to paracord, so that you can carry them easily.
A traditional neck knife is very small and comes with a fixed blade. The entire knife structure may look good, but some people may not find a small neck knife comfortable to use.
So, how to pick the best neck knife that can fulfill your purposes? Well, don’t worry at all, as we have listed down the eight best neck knives that you can use. So, grab the best small neck knife now and get ready to join the revolution.
Here Are The Best Neck Knives – Tried & Tested
#1 CRKT Minimalist Bowie Neck Knife With Stainless Steel Blade
CRKT Minimalist Bowie Neck Knife With Stainless Steel Blade
Key Specifications
Made by Columbia River Knife & Tool, this small fixed blade knife is quite popular among users. This fixed blade knife is well-known for its comfort, versatility, as well as size. Nut just for cutting hard things, you can also use this as one of the ideal self-defense weapons during any self-defense situation.
Price: USD 30. 53
It comes with a high carbon stainless steel blade that is easy to sharpen, and the overall quality is also good. On the other hand, the blade’s bead blast finish lowers the reflectivity.
To offer the users a good grip, it has a durable handle that is made of fiber, and the unique patterns created on the handle make it visually appealing. Besides, you will also get a robust thermoplastic sheath with this neck knife. So go on and give it a try.
Pros
- Very sharp
- It comes with a corded sheath so that you can carry it easily
- Durable structure
- It comes with deep finger grooves
- Light-weight and super easy to use
Cons
- For small-handed people, the finger rests may appear very large.
- The supply of this small knife is very limited.
#2 Ka-Bar BK11 Becker Necker Knife
Ka-Bar BK11 Becker Necker Knife
Key Specifications
Comes with a fixed blade, this neck knife is well-designed, effective, durable, and sleek. The best part about this Becker Necker neck knife is its blade is made of 1095 Cro Van carbon steel. This metal is very strong, and you can sharpen it easily.
Price: USD 58
The blade length is 3.25 inches. Even though for some people, it may seem a little small, but the length of this small blade is compact enough to be used in different situations.
This knife is perfect for outdoor services and collectors. Besides, it comes with a fiberglass-reinforced nylon-made sheath that is quite durable. Moreover, it fits perfectly with the TDI metal belt clip. With a reasonable price and share point blade, this small knife can be a perfect option for you.
#3 SOG Fixed Blade Knives
Key Specifications
The SOG fixed blade neck knife is a perfect choice for knife users in terms of features and price. So if you are looking for a cheap neck knife with some impressive features, give this knife a try.
Price: USD 29.95
The blade of this knife is made using 7C1R17MOV stainless steel and has a stone-wash finish. So, its edge retention quality is good. On the other hand, the thick and clip-point blade offers better control, and you can use it for different purposes—for example, carving, batoning camp tasks, and cutting.
Compared to other neck knives, this knife has a unique design, and for some people, the Kydex sheath offers minimalist usage. You can easily draw and put in easily.
Pros
- Extremely sharp point
- Quite durable
- Easy to use and draw
- Come under your budget
- Very light-weight
- Quality sheath design
Cons
- The handle is a little small for people with large hands.
- The sheath is not durable enough to last for a long time.
#4 CRKT Shrill Fixed Blade Neck Knife
CRKT Shrill Fixed Blade Neck Knife
Key Specifications
This is another great EDC neck knife from the brand Columbia River Knife & Tool. This useful utility item has a classic blade that is made of high-grade stainless steel. It will swiftly cut through any hard objects.
Price: USD 62.15
The product was designed by Matthew Lerch, and its resin-infused fiber handle looks quite stylish and durable. You can use it for hours without facing any discomfort.
The smooth design offers a tactical advantage and also offers sufficient force while cutting sturdy vines. Even though you find it a little costlier than other longer blades knives, it is a good long-term investment as it has a great level of durability.
Pros
- Corrosion-resistant
- The blade doesn’t dull easily
- A sleek and full tang design
- Perfect weight and size
- Durable carbon steel made blade
- Compact and easy to use
Cons
- Some may find the handle very thin
- The sheath is not durable
- The handle of this neck knife could be more functional
#5 Schrade Full Tang Knife
Key Specifications
If you are looking for a durable and affordable full tang knife, then this is something that should be your first option. This 7-inch long knife comes with a 3.1-inch blade. The blade length is good and is made of high carbon stainless, cold steel for extended use.
Price: USD 23.97
On the other hand, it has a G-10 handle that feels very comfortable holding for hours. Besides, you will get a molded sheath made of thermoplastic with this blade. As a result, you can access it easily and faster. The best thing is that it comes with is an adjustable breakaway necklace.
Pros
- Right length
- Perfect sharpness
- Looks very elegant
- Durable structure
Cons
- Little heavier than other small neck knives.
- The blade gets dull easily when used frequently.
#6 SOG Instinct Mini Knife
Key Specifications
The Instinct Mini from SOG is a popular neck knife in the market. With a 1.9-inch small blade, you will find this knife easy to conceal, portable and compact. The blade has a straight-edge clip point design and can be used as a military or hunting knife.
Price: USD 37.95
The stainless steel-made blade has a very sharp cutting surface and is easy to sharpen. This little neck knife is 4.8 inches long and feels quite natural to use. The handle is made of fiberglass.
The best thing is that the handle has jimping and finger grooves to enhance the grip. Go for it now.
Pros
- Small and compact design
- Light-weight build and easy to carry
- Sharp and durable blade
Cons
- The initial tuning is not easy.
#7 Kershaw Dune Full Tang Knife
Key Specifications
With a 3.8-inch long blade, this knife can make your cutting job easier and comfortable. Made from 3CR13 stainless steel metal, it offers a great level of strength as well as stability. Besides, the blade is corrosion-resistant.
Price: USD 27.03
You will get a molded sheath with this to enjoy the quick release of a knife during an emergency. On the other hand, the nylon-made handle is carefully designed to offer a perfect grip.
Its lightweight constructions and features make it a better option than the others. In addition, as a result, your folding knife can be used as a backup knife.
Pros
- Easy and comfortable handle
- Secured sheath
- Impressive build quality
Cons
- For some users, it may feel a little long.
#8 ESEE James Gibson Neck Knife
Key Specifications
This little neck knife weighs just one ounce, and you can easily carry it anywhere without any issue. The stainless steel blade has a stunning oxidized finish that offers it a sleek look. However, you need to take good care of this blade to prevent rust.
Price: USD 45
The Kydex sheath of the knife has a magnet to offer a secure locking facility. From all the knives listed here, this knife has a very small blade. The length of the blade is only 1.30-inch.
Pros
- Easy and comfortable handle
- Secured sheath
- Impressive build quality
Cons
- For some users, it may feel a little long.
What Is An EDC Neck Knife?
A neck knife, or boot knife, is a tactical knife that one can easily carry around the neck. You can also use them as your EDC – Everyday Carry knife. Some people consider such a knife to be a crucial piece of EDC.
This ready knife is easy to use, and you can instantly grab it. Moreover, these knives are very practical, and you can use them for different purposes, for example, cutting hard ropes, vegetables in a camp, or cutting something to free someone. Besides, a good knife can also help you in self-defense.
Why Should You Have The Best Neck Knife?
As these knives are very practical, they can be great for cutting into your packaging, for a holdout weapon, or to open pesky boxes. As per the experts, this knife is much cheaper than other everyday carry knives. You can easily find a knife with an excellent build quality that utilizes a high-grade stainless steel blade under your budget. In fact, a mid-range knife will cost you much less than half of the amount that you would pay to buy an upper-end small knife.
It has been seen that some people carry these things hanging under their shirts and over their chests. They will sit perfectly on your chest pectoral muscles. You will not see these things bouncing around while walking.
Carrying a boot knife that is centrally located will offer you an excellent level of accessibility. No matter what the situation, you can access it instantly.
Don’t think that these lightweight tools will not work properly. In fact, different studies have proved that a knife with a 1095 cro van steel blade can be incredibly durable and strong. On the other hand, the compact structure further improves the structural integrity and produces a great level of twisting force. So, forget about the traditional knives; it’s time to go for the neck pocket knives to experience something new.
Buying Guide:
What makes a perfect neck knife? Can you use a pocket knife as a neck knife? Well, you should remember that such products are different and they are designed for a particular purpose.
Besides, while buying one, you also need to consider the price as some sellers can try to sell you a knife at a lot cheaper price, claiming that the product is good. You need to make sure that your neck knife can be used easily to complete different tasks. Even though you will not be using your neck knife to cut wood, it needs to be sliced or cut just like other tools.
Some of them even come under the survival knife category. If you want to buy a knife for survival situations, make sure that the knife has a stainless steel blade and will not break. So, there are many such things that you need to consider while buying a neck pocket knife. Let’s discuss those factors in detail.
What To Look For In A Neck Knife?
When it comes to buying the best neck knife with sheath and great quality, there are multiple factors that you will have to consider. Even though all these products are very standard, your use cases and preferences will influence your choice.
So, without wasting much time, let’s talk about those factors that every buyer should consider. Well, there are some smaller details, but the listed factors are very important.
Desired Purpose
If you are planning to buy a neck knife, this is the first thing you should consider. When will this toll become useful? For example, such a product can come in handy for self-defense. When someone tries to attack you, you can easily access your neck knife and protect yourself. For some people, self-defense is a primary reason to carry this tool. This is because they are easy, small, incognito, and fast weapons at hand.
What’s more? While hunting animals, having neck knives at the ready is very handy. Whether you are preparing food, dressing a game, or looking for a perfect carving tool, a neck knife will fulfill the purpose.
On the other hand, a good neck knife can be used as an apocalyptic weapon. Sometimes, it will be better for you to remain armed, and this is where neck knives can come to play.
Some people use such a tool for fishing and casting flies. You can use them easily for surviving and recamping.
Build Quality & Materials
Don’t forget to check the durability of the product. As per the experts, a neck knife should be durable enough to handle different situations. After all, its primary role is to easily cut through different materials, from tin cans, weak metals to soft bread. The spear point blade should not become dull easily. To know about durability, you should go through the reviews to find the user’s experience. At the same time, don’t forget to check the material used in the product.
It is the material that will define the durability, comfort level, and sharpness of the product. Therefore, before placing your order, you should research the material and then go for the rest of the knife’s features.
After all, you are buying emergency gear to cut things when outdoors, and you can’t take the risk of getting one that is completely useless. Go for materials like stainless steel while buying a neck knife. This material is weather-resistant and rust-proof.
On the other hand, you also need to make sure that the product comes with a sheath made of nylon material. Nylon is wear-resistant and will keep the sharpness of the blade protected from different factors. Lastly, choose a neck knife that has a handle made using non-corrosive materials.
What about the neck knife’s effectiveness? Well, it’s about the sharpness of the product. The best product available in the market is known to be very sharp. But this will differ from one product to another based on the manufacturing processes used for it. So, check the reviews to know more about it.
Make sure that the overall length of the blade is good and it doesn’t have an inward curve. The curviness should be outward so that the blade can cut easily without requiring much effort from the users. The blade’s curviness needs to begin from the tip, down near the middle, and then the rest of the middle.
Ensure that the blade’s end portion is straight. In addition, it needs to be attached with a comfortable handle that can offer a perfect level of grip while using.
Every neck knife listed here comes with the perfect build quality, and they are made of superior quality material to offer the users the desired results. So when it comes to buying the best neck knives, you can trust these products.
Size
The size of a neck knife should not be very short or very long. If you go for a small blade, it will take time to cut the things, and if the blade is very long, then carrying it around your neck can be very risky. You will not be able to pull it out quickly during emergencies. The overall size of the best neck knife should be around 5-inches to 7-inches.
Besides, while considering the size of the entire knife, you also need to think about the legal size in your state? Also, what kind of blade length is legal to use? Neck knives come in different blade sizes, and you should choose one as per your comfort level.
Sheath Quality
A neck knife without a sheath is not advisable to buy if you are more concerned about the safety features. After all, you will never want to carry a naked blade. Moreover, you will want your best neck knife stored safely around your neck when not using your knife. And for that using a good sheath is important.
But how to check the quality of the sheath? Well, for that, you can pick up the knife and then shake it a bit to see whether there is any movement or not. A good sheath should retain the knife well. Besides, I prefer to buy a sheath that comes with snaps or a durable closure system.
Also read our post on Best scout carry knife and on Best knife for gutting deer.
Verdict
Whether you want a tool for self-defense or cutting things, a neck knife can be a perfect tool. Many brands offer quality neck knives, and choosing the right one for self-defense and other purposes can be challenging. But if you consider all these things, you can easily buy a perfect neck knife that will be easy to carry around your neck, offer a good grip, and be used for self-defense.
It is a fact that neck knives come in different sizes, from tiny to fairly large. Besides, the materials used in a neck knife can also affect its performance. You will not want to carry a tool around your neck that you can’t even use during emergencies.
Besides, you should also consider neck knives’ legal factors and prices while ordering one. Well, if you don’t want to deal with all these things, then don’t worry at all and choose these neck knives listed above. All these knives are great in quality, come under your budget, and you will comfortably carry them around your neck.