Neck knife lanyards : seeking advice

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AStone

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I'm a recent convert to the neck knife concept.
I'll offer more info on that below, but first,
I'll get right to my questions.

I'm mostly an OWB person when it comes to fixed blades, and will continue to do so with my neck knives. But as an alternative for some situations (around home and camp after hours), I'm experimenting (first time) with neck lanyard carry. So, I could use some advice about "the best way" to do it, where "best way" will no doubt vary widely; YMMV, etc.

So, four questions. Feel free to respond to any or all.

1) What "length" is your lanyard? Let's define length in this way: with the lanyard attached to your sheath, knife handle inverted (hanging down), and lanyard stretched out straight - so the two segments of the cord (or sling) are parallel and equal - what's the length from the tip of the sheath to the knot or cord fastener?

2) Where does the pommel of your knife ride on your torso (assuming inverted carry)? Sternum? Belly button? Other?

3) What lanyard material do you use? 550? Heavier nylon? Sling? Other?

4) Any other advice you might offer about lanyards: pros, cons, tips, ideas, dangers, etc, etc.

Thanks in advance for your input.

Nem

_____

Background for those who care. I have looked at neck knives before, but never bought. I was reintroduced to the concept recently by Hso who knew I was interested in an EDC fixed blade with a blade length around 3" and sent me a link to a catalog of several dozen. First, I became fond of Kabar's EsKabar - for multiple reasons, including price - but began to research others. So I began a thread about EsKabar.

I quickly became interested in - even enamored by - ESEE's, mainly the 3 and Izula 2. Here's a thread I began last week about short ESEE's. After a lot of thought and reading, I decided to go with the 3 first, then asap pick up and Izula. (I'm thinking next month.) I'll likely wind up eventually with an Eskabar, but it's on the back burner now while I deal with getting my ESEE addiction under control. :uhoh:

So, my E3 came yesterday. I'll mostly carry it OWB, but am experimenting with neck lanyards for around the studio when I'm not wearing a belt (as in sweat pants, which I wear a lot at home).
 
OK, I'll go first. Here's my first set up that I just finished.

1) 14" max. I've got a knot at the end to prevent the cord lock from accidentally slipping off when I'm adjusting it, but the cord lock rides inside the knot so I can shorten it. I've now got it set at 13". Smaller than that, it doesn't slip over my glasses quickly.

2) Belly button; seems a good length to allow standing access, but not so long to have the pommel in my lap or groin when sitting (it's still above my legs, even with legs crossed). From that position, either hand can grasp the handle and elbow is bent 90 degrees.

3) 550, but am going to try a cord next that's almost twice the diameter of 550, but still small enough (barely) to thread through the eyelet in the sheath. Motivation: larger cord, more comfortable. A light sling or strap would be even better to distribute the (light) weight. Admittedly, this ESEE 3 is a bit large for neck carry - it's little cousin Izula will be better for that - and again, the 3 will usually ride OWB, especially when away from home. So I consider this an experiment.

4A) Potential dangers : even though this knife fits this sheath very well, and feels secure - shaking won't drop it out; requires a firm pull, best with index finger pushing on the sheath - I still have a bit of irrational fear about the blade falling onto my sandaled foot.

4B) I need to figure out an easy way to either detach the lanyard from the sheath when moving from neck tie to OWB without having to untie and unthread it (a clip, perhaps?).

I'm experimenting with various ways to draw it safely and efficiently. For example, it matters how and where I grab the sheath and cord with my left hand while drawing the knife with my right. (Update: scratch that. Just figured out how to do it quickly and safely with one hand. Remember, I'm a necker newbie novice, so this is going to take some time. :D )
 
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Material will always be beaded chain for me... no choking hazards, thank you.

Length ... long enough to be reached from under a shirt or when I'm wearing a necktie, the lanyard needs to be long enough that I can conceal the chain inside the knot of a four-in-hand and hang down far enough that the chain just above the top of the sheath secures behind the tie clip. This minimizes swing, but allows me to carry a thin neck knife completely concealed inside the folds of, and behind, the silk tie of my choice.
 
1) That's completely dependent upon the person and the sheath and the knife. There's no fixed length that has any meaning. You'll have to play with it to find out what works for you.

2) This is less dependent on the individual, but people usually set the length of the lanyard anywhere from high carry (tip of sheath just below the top of the sternum) to low (top of sheath just below ziphoid process). I carry so the tip of the sheath is right below the second button of my shirt so I can duck my head and pull the lanyard over my head.

3) WTH is "sling"??? I use paracord or dog tag chain or paracord sheathing over dog tag chain or sometimes just paracord sheathing.

4) Yeah, don't wear something that you'll get strangled by or with. Use emergency releases like on ID lanyards or the emergency release knots I posted pics of.

5) Read the other threads on neck knives we've had. They address most of this and more.
 
Yes, point accepted about paracord v dog tag chain.

For sure, if I were going to neck it on the street, I'd go with chain.
But I really don't see myself necking it on the street, or trail, or even in camp as long as I'm wearing pants with a belt. I want it OWB there, or molle'd to my EDC pack (when I get the one I want).

But for around the house - which is my intention here - I think paracord will work OK. (I have no psycho housemates; in fact, I have no housemates, period. And I don't climb on the ceiling or walls where the lanyard could hook on a loose nail and hang me.)

I also just figured out a way to make a neck lanyard that doubles as an OWB connector by adjusting the cord lock. I haven't threaded it yet, but will post a pic if it works.
 
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WTH is "sling"???
Click to expand...
Sorry for not being clear. I'm a rock climber/mountaineer. Slings are standard gear for us.

Gear - like biners or anchors - is often carried on slings; slings are also used for other uses, like connecting a biner to an anchor.

Here's an example. Here's a gear sling for carrying biners and anchors, etc. The strap on the shoulder makes it very comfortable. Overkill for a necker, but you get the point.

Last night, I was experimenting using sling for Baldric style carry: not like a neck tie but over the head, resting on one shoulder (left) but hanging on the right. Not the standard way to carry a necker, but there's no need to dismiss it out of hand.
 
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Use the cord that is most comfortable around your neck. Just be sure to add a weak point or two in the cord. A small loop of 10lb monofiliment is what I use as a breakaway safety.
I learned this little trick after almost being dragged out of a boat by the lanyard on a hand gaff.
Nothing gets attached to my body that wont ''break away'' if I'm in a bind.
 
I'd only use "webbing" - sling - if I decided to try carrying it over one shoulder -
what could be called Baldric (although it's not really quite baldric) not as a neck lanyard.

I'll explore some breakaway options for paracord.
Monofilament sounds reasonable, but there may be other options out there.

Added by edit: I just saw a recommendation to use a "split ring" of appropriate gauge as a breakaway.

Added by 2nd edit: Better solution: paracord breakaway connectors.
Here's a video about how to install them.
Here's another source with more information: 20 lb breakaway.
 
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Monofilament as a breakaway sounds like a good idea.

I'd want to be able to tie the gear back again.

You'd be surprised how many people start out with the split ring at the back of their neck and discard the approach because they're uncomfortable, but just moving most of these to just below the collar bone fixes that problem.
 
I would advise a pseudo harness or over the shoulder setup over a necklace type setup. More secure and position is less affected by movement. Also less likely to unintentionally choke or get tangled.

I also agree with Nem's choice of when and why to carry that way.
 
Conwict, can you tell me a bit more about
what you mean by "pseudo harness", please?

Is that synonymous with "over the shoulder"?
 
Material will always be beaded chain for me... no choking hazards, thank you.
Click to expand...

+1

I'm not a fan of wearing ANYTHING around my neck that can choke me. Get that 550 cord caught in something, or if your opponent grabs it, game over for you.

I have two neck knives... The best is the Becker Necker. About $40. Hangs round my chest. Easy to access with either hand.
 
Heh Heh!

I wore clip-on ties in business attire for about 30 of my 36 working years.
Of course I was managing a machine shop part of the time, and a warehouse the other part.

Regardless of all that, not getting my silk necktie caught in a lathe or forklift was way more important to me then getting promoted because my tie looked better then the other guys.

Maybe I should have taken the risk?

Seems like I always worked for the younger guy that dressed better, and never ever got dirty, or broke a sweat helping the guys on the floor!

rc
 
4A) Potential dangers : even though this knife fits this sheath very well, and feels secure - shaking won't drop it out; requires a firm pull, best with index finger pushing on the sheath - I still have a bit of irrational fear about the blade falling onto my sandaled foot.
Click to expand...

Oh c'mon man, you mean you don't want a built in game of mumbly pegs with your carry system? :D

On a serious note, I've always been interested in the whole neck knife concept too, but I always wondered, how do you draw? Do you draw from under the shirt, or pull the cord up through your shirt collar to get the whole thing out of your shirt and then draw? Seems like it would be kind of clunky to get at if it were concealed. It seems handy as hell if it were outside your shirt when camping/hunting, etc., provided the cord were short enough to keep it out of your way.


Jason
 
Oh c'mon man, you mean you don't want a built in game of mumbly pegs with your carry system? :D
Click to expand...
LOL.

Best laugh of my day.

And it's been a long one.
Sleep comes soon.

Re: how to draw a neck knife quickly,
IMO, if you must conceal it under a shirt,
then carry it OWB, and move if necessary to do that legally.

More tomorrow. ;)
 
You can get any tie tailored to add a clasp so that it stays tied all the time and you "snap" it on. See any tuxedo rental tie and the clasp that secures them.
 
1) What "length" is your lanyard?
Click to expand...
All my lanyards are 36-inches for the actual lanyard. I do have a big neck though.

3) What lanyard material do you use? 550? Heavier nylon? Sling? Other?
Click to expand...
I tend to prefer smaller neck knives (two finger knives like the Buck Hartsook or Perrin LaGriffe) but I will only use beaded chain. I consider 550 cord too much of a strangulation hazard. Some people will fiddle with adding quick releases to 550 cord lanyards, but I don't see the need, just go with a beaded chain.
 
I was never comfortable with the necklace type wear, but it's just preference. I don't like it swinging around when I lean forward. Tried the mercharness too, it's ok I guess, but you said you didn't like it, so skip that.

I did create a method you might consider that I based on a camera/binocular chest harness.

Little tricky to describe and this might take some tinkering depend on how you attach to the knife, but it's just two pieces of 550. All 4 ends are tied together in a flat knot (gutted 550 can be tied in a Japanese square knot ) so you end up with two loops with a central knot. Put your arms through the loops like your putting on the world's skinniest backpack so the knot is on your upper back. Bring the loops together on your chest and attach to your knife. This method will put the knife in the same relative position as a neck lanyard, but it puts the weight on the broad parts of the back rather than the neck, eliminates sideways swing, and reduces overhang when you lean forward.

I'm at work so I can't do pics, but if this sounds like an interesting idea I'll put some together later.
 
Glistam, I can visualize that pretty well, but if you're inclined, pics would be great. As you have time. No rush.

It sounds like a cool idea. Regardless of whether I use it or not, I'd like to try it.
 
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