Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Primitive Skills => Topic started by: Traxx on April 12, 2018, 06:17:51 pm
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A recent post,brought up a question ive had for a while now...Now dont take this as derogatory criticism or the likes,,but a serious question,in need of a serious answer....What is the recent,,infatuation with the neck knives?????
It seems as though it has become a symbol of the Primitive Skills and Bushcraft movement,,in recent times..Is it really a practical tool???...Seems as though it could be a hindrance and potential hazard in real world bush craft scenarios...Is it more of a camp tool thing,,or something of that nature???....I just dont quite understand it...Educate me..
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its really nothing new in the archery or knife making world.
they have been popular since i started going to archery shoots over 25 years now.
as well as 12 years of knife making.
to be honest i would rather have a knife in my armguard.
people seem to like neck knives so i make them.
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HAHAHA!!!!
Thats something else ive never understood,,the knife in the arm guard thing,,but it doesnt seem to be as popular,so ive never asked..LOL
Why would someone,want to add bulk,to an item,they are using to avoid slap and contact with?????
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Neck knives were worn by men of most of the Great Lakes tribes in N America. I find having a knife around my neck very convenient. It has to be a smaller knife, 6 inches or under. I like the strap to be somewhat short, just big enough to get over my head. If it gets in the way, I just tuck it down into my shirt. I find the neck knife much less bothersome than I do a belt knife.
Kyle
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I must confess,that im not well versed,in the culture of the Nations,of the east...Is there any documented historical evidence,of the use of them,that i could research??..I would be interested in seeing that..
There is none,that i have seen personally,,that suggest their use,by western tribes..I believe,,many have seen pics of Native women,with what appears as such,but i believe they are mistaking an awl for a neck knife...The first time i recall seeing them used,was by Black powder fur trade enthusiast and they called them a patch knife..In speaking with a few AMA members,they said they believed,they were more a modern invention and not historically used in that time frame...
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Ksnow,,
It was actually your post that prompted me to ask this question,that i have had lingering in me,for some time..Regardless of the opinions of the use of them,,i feel you do nice work and enjoy seeing it..
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There is a ton of evidence for them in the East. And the French fur trappers/traders were quick to adopt the habit of wearing them around their necks also. I don't have my research with me here at work, but if you want sources, I can hunt them down this weekend. Out west, I have no evidence for them. I also have ZERO evidence for women wearing them.
Kyle
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A bunch of views,,but little dialog....Anyone else have any input???
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Kevin gave me one many years ago, and I love it. I rarely use a belt knife anymore as a result. The neck knife wont dig into my waist when I sit down or squat down. I leave it inside my shirt so it stays dry and cant be lost, he stitched a magnet inside the sheath to prevent that. I dont like walking into a store with 8" of knife on my side, the neck knife is easily hidden and obscure. I dont need to wear a belt to carry my neck knife, I can wear shorts and a t-shirt and still carry my knife. I wear mine when I go fly fishing, hard to wear waders with a belt knife on. I don't care about social status, trendy trends or what anybody else does or did in the past with their tools. I'm a practical person and neck knives are a very practical tool. Try one, maybe you will answer your own curiosity's.
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I have made stone neck knives for the grand kids but I wouldn't wear one myself as it seems like it would get in the way. I go to a lot of traditional, primitive and flint knapping events and rarely see folks wearing them. Those that do are usually vendors as part of their costume.
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Actually PD,,,,
I was Gifted one,about 10 years ago and tried it..It didnt work out for me and led to the question,,of how these things became so popular..Mine is a deer antler,,with an insert for screw in broadheads...Your post,did bring up another question though..Depending on location and laws,,could tucking these under clothing,be considered a concealed weapon???....
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Google that question for the state that you live in and be prepared for the confused condition you will be left in. In Michigan it is/was a 3"Blade but there are several exceptions to that. Now if you have a CCW permit you are all set.
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be prepared for the confused condition you will be left in.
LOL!!!!!!!!.....Sometimes,,i think they do that on purpose..LOL
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I carry one all the time and have for many years, I use it all the time and once use to one I am lost without it.Not sure how they got started and don't really care, they work for me and that is really all that matters. I also carry at least 1 pocket knife/lighter/small pair of pliers/bill fold and pistol in my pants pockets and as of later years a cell phone. ;) :) :)
Pappy
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Mine lays right flat against my chest. It is a simple 3" knife with a forged/curled over handle. I don't even feel it inside my shirt. I can see where an antler handle or wider wood handle inside a shirt could get uncomfortable. I rarely have mine on the outside of my shirt.
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I think it's what you want to use if you want a neck knife or a knife on you arm guard then you get one use one. It like asking why shoot carbon or fiberglass arrows out of a longbow or why have a three piece longbow it's because you want to that's all.
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Just because you want to,doesnt quite answer the question...Obviously,,people use them because they want to,and not because someone,,is holding a neck knife,,to their throat,,telling them they have to..But what is it that is so appealing,about them,for people to want to use them...
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I have only two, both razor sharp. I carry them only when I go to the woods and when I need a knife even though I usually have more than one or two, that's the one I reach for first. Convenience and easy to grab, fast. The two I have are small and light and hardly know they are there. I've also been reading a lot about them and from what I have read the Trappers in the 1800's started to wear them after copying the natives in the North and Northeast.
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Made this for my neighbor for Christmas. He's a falconer. John
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Very nice, love that one. :)
Pappy
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Very nice. You carve that ball in the cage?
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Yes I carved the ball and claw foot. Tried to make it look like a raptor talon. This is a picture of Linnea his Peragrin Falcon. John