We are very happy to review the new 2016 line of neck knives from Schrade. These neck knives are going to be out in retail stores in 2016, however they will be available for sale via the main Taylor Brands Schrade web page in the next week Keep checking the site: Click here

 

Overview:

We have been testing these knives for the past two weeks, and I have actually even worn and used all of these knives daily at certain work sites. The state and places where I work it is permissible to do so. As always to note, please refer to your own “state and\or country” laws in regards to neck knives. Some states in the U.S.A., like South Carolina where I reside, has no restrictions to open or concealed carry as long as the knife is not used to commit a crime. (EX: for lawful purpose). Some other states, you can “Open Carry” neck knife “outside” of ones shirt. Some states also have blade length laws, these are about 2 / ½ inches give or take for the blade length. Again.. check your local laws.

 

What we like:

All three, are very comfortable to wear, even conceal under a shirt and, wearing loose fitting shirts (other then a tight 't-shirt') leave “no” noticeable “print” or outline. The chains on all three are “breakable chains” meaning if something snags the sheath (or someone pulls on it hard enough) the chain will break with force, so that minimizes the choking factor.

All three sheathes have “drain holes” on the bottom. The sheathes are nylon fiber and each knife locks solid into the sheath, yet are easy to deploy “quickly” and I really do mean “quickly”. When showing these knives to colleagues, I can reach under my shirt and show the the blade so quickly that a few people told me “where were you wearing that?”.

 

Another point about the sheath, is there is grommet holes thru the sheath on both the left and right sides, and you can latch the sheath onto a bag or pack using paracord or any other cordage. But for the people who need to wear this knife “not concealed” as in “open carry”, or if you do not want to wear the knife around your neck.. You can easily put paracord thru the sheath and make “belt” loops for vertical or horizontal (scout style) carry! The sheath give you a lot of carrying options.

 

What to know before hand:

A few things to note, before diving into each knife. All three knives use, what some people refer to as a “weaver pattern” (from that certain knife) in regards to the paracord (or 550 cord) of wrap on the handle. Schrade does have a simple wrap that does work with this knife, and from what we have been told, they are thinking about doing another production video on how to do this style of wrap that is currently on it. See this video, in regards to the simpler wrap that can actually be used on any fixed blade knife:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Under the wrap, you will find several “holes” that can be used for even “more” wrapping configurations. We really like this method that Scharde haws done. This is “traditionally” known as an “skeleton” handle, and make the knife lighter. Some other neck knives (for example the “izula”) uses a large over “cut out”. My team prefers what Schrade has done here... in regards to the holes. It just makes “more sense” to do that, especially in regards to having more wrapping configurations. Some of my team, liked the knife “without the paracord, keep it even more low profile. Some other brands of neck knives that we have seen, do not even come wrapped, so have it pre-wrapped is a nice option. The blades on all three knives come razor sharp, no issues at all. And the blade edge retention is 100% awesome. No folding of the edge after cutting or chopping.

 

The other thing to note, is that you are “not” going to chop thru a big oak tree with these knives. As with any knife, the size of the knife, should match the application. Could you cut thru a small sapling tree or some branches? Sure you could.. even though it would take some time to do so, depending on the diameter. Any three of these knives would be “perfect” for an emergency or survival situation. There is multi uses for paracord, and having some on the handle to use for other purposes in an emergency situation is ideal. Also to note, any three of these knives could be used for self defense if needed.

 

Here is some default specs on the SCHF46. The finish is smooth black not rough. The drop point blade came razor sharp. And there is a finger choil close before the hilt of the knife, and the same in regards to jimping and on the “thumb ramp” right on top of the knife:

 

SCHF46

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Schrade Full Tang Fixed Blade Neck Knife, Black 9Cr18MoV High Carbon Stainless Steel Drop Point Blade with Finger Guard and Thumb Ramp Jimping, Black 9Cr18MoV High Carbon Stainless Steel Handle with 550 Paracord Wrap and Lanyard, Nylon Fiber Neck Sheath

Specifications

Blade Length:

2.43 inch (6.17 cm)

Handle Length:

3.42 inch (8.69 cm)

Overall Length:

5.99 inch (15.21 cm)

Weight:

0.12 lb

U.P.C.

044356225212

 

 

 

Here is some default specs on the SCHF46TAS. The finish is smooth black not rough. The tanto blade came razor sharp and the parratly seratted blade helps in sawing thru both rope and wood. And there is a finger choil close befoe the hilt of the knife, and the same in regards to jimping and on the “thumb ramp” right on top of the knife:

 

SCHF46TAS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Schrade Full Tang Fixed Blade Neck Knife, Black 9Cr18MoV High Carbon Stainless Steel Partially Serrated Tanto Blade with Finger Guard and Thumb Ramp Jimping, Black 9Cr18MoV High Carbon Stainless Steel Handle with 550 Paracord Wrap and Lanyard, Nylon Fiber Neck Sheath

Specifications

Blade Length:

2.43 inch (6.17 cm)

Handle Length:

3.42 inch (8.69 cm)

Overall Length:

5.99 inch (15.21 cm)

Weight:

0.12 lb

U.P.C.

044356224826

 

Here is some default specs on the SCHF47TA. The finish is smooth grey not rough, possibly titantium coated? Not 100% sure. The tanto blade came razor sharp, and it is a “wider blade” than the SCHF47TA. And there is a finger choil close before the hilt of the knife, and the same in regards to jimping and on the “thumb ramp” right on top of the knife, and to also note the thumb ramp is more “pronounced”.

 

SCHF47TA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Schrade Full Tang Fixed Blade Neck Knife, Titanium Coated 9Cr18MoV High Carbon Stainless Steel Tanto Blade with Thumb Ramp Jimping and Finger Guard, Titanium Coated 9Cr18MoV High Carbon Stainless Steel Handle with Black 550 Paracord Wrap, Lanyard, and Nylon Fiber Neck Sheath

Specifications

Blade Length:

2.65 inch 6.73 cm)

Handle Length:

3.41 inch (8.66 cm)

Overall Length:

5.96 inch (15.14 cm)

Weight:

0.19 lb

U.P.C.

044356224833

 

 

 

Final Thoughts:

All of these knives again, show that the folks at Taylor Brands are producing top of the line blades, with a “way lower” price point of their competitors. Wearing any of these knives give you the further security of having a solid, sharp workable blade at the ready.. and that is a very needed item to have when you find yourself in “situation”. It's also easy to forget that you are wearing one unless it moves when you are in motion.

 

All of the knives we like, but if we break down our “favorite” it would be tough as again.. the application fits the knife. Here is our final break down:

 

For every day carrying to work and back the SCHF46 as the width of the blade and the traditional drop point blade is perfect.

 

Traveling and working in “mixed” operational environments, urban and rural where you need the serrated blade for minor sawing tasks, plus the possible self-defense \ tactical side of a tanto blade, then the SCHF46TAS would be our choice.

 

The SCHF47TA with it's wider tanto style blade and deeper thumb ramp would be a great choice for more harsher operational environments where you would need a more wide stout blade with the extra benefit of the possible self-defense \ tactical side of a tanto blade. With any tanto style blade that has that great blade tip as an Japanese Katana (sword), the old saying “slash once, cut twice” is evident in the SCHF47TA and the SCHF46TAS neck knives.

 

- Tom