A small knife is easy to carry. Giving your fingers somewhere to go can be the trickier part. You don’t need a huge blade to open a package or cut some cord, but a handle that leaves half your hand hanging isn’t much of a trade-off.
Price: $39.99
Where to Buy: Amazon
The CJRB Spud Small Neck Knife pairs a 2.34-inch AR-RPM9 steel blade with an aluminum handle designed for a four-finger grip. CJRB currently lists it at $39.99. It weighs 1.71 ounces and offers both pocket and neck carry.
And despite the neck-knife name, this one’s a manual folder, not a fixed blade. The blade folds into the handle, so there’s no separate sheath to deal with. Unclip the lanyard attachment when you’d rather keep it in your pocket.
Two Carrying Options With a Detachable Lanyard Attachment
The Spud includes a removable lanyard attachment that allows the folded knife to be worn around the neck. Removing the attachment leaves a compact folder that can be carried using its pocket clip.
This arrangement gives buyers a choice between two carrying methods without requiring a separate accessory. Pocket carry is suitable for ordinary daily use, while the lanyard provides an alternative when suitable pockets are unavailable.
The removable hardware also means the knife can retain a simpler configuration when neck carry is unnecessary. Unlike a fixed-blade neck knife, the Spud folds into its handle and does not require a separate blade sheath.
Neck carry requires additional consideration, however. The blade must remain fully closed, the attachment must be secure, and the lanyard should not create a snagging or entanglement hazard.
The interchangeable carrying system is the Spud’s most distinctive feature. It gives a conventional small folder an additional storage option without substantially changing its everyday utility role.
A 2.34-Inch AR-RPM9 Blade for Everyday Cutting
The Spud uses a 2.34-inch blade made from CJRB’s proprietary AR-RPM9 steel. Its short cutting edge is appropriate for opening packages, cutting tape, trimming cord, and handling other light utility tasks.
The compact blade keeps the knife small enough for pocket or neck carry. CJRB also promotes the Spud for cutting cardboard, though its suitability for a particular job will depend on the material and cutting technique.
AR-RPM9 is intended to balance edge retention, toughness, corrosion resistance, and sharpening requirements. Actual performance depends on heat treatment, blade geometry, maintenance, and the material being cut.
The steel designation identifies the blade material but does not independently establish its cutting performance. Buyers should consider the Spud’s dimensions and intended tasks rather than assume the material guarantees a particular level of durability.
CJRB positions the Spud as an everyday utility knife, including for packages and cardboard, rather than for chopping or batoning through thick branches.
An Aluminum Handle Designed for a Four-Finger Grip
The Spud features a contoured aluminum handle that helps keep its listed weight down to 1.71 ounces.
CJRB describes the contoured aluminum handle as designed to accommodate a four-finger grip despite the knife’s compact dimensions.
That arrangement addresses a common limitation of small folding knives. Short handles can leave part of the hand unsupported, particularly during cutting tasks that require more control.
However, the four-finger-grip description does not guarantee the same fit for every buyer. Hand size, finger dimensions, and grip preference will affect how comfortably the handle can be used.
Its handle geometry is more relevant to everyday use than its styling, particularly for buyers who find conventional compact folders difficult to grip.
Manual Opening With a Liner Lock
The Spud opens manually using dual thumb studs and uses a liner lock to secure the blade during use. A liner lock is intended to hold the blade open during normal cutting. The mechanism is common among folding knives, although proper engagement and maintenance remain important.
The arrangement provides familiar folding-knife operation in a compact package. It also allows the blade to be stored inside the handle when the knife is not in use.
The Spud is intended for cutting rather than prying, twisting, or applying substantial sideways force. Its liner lock should not be treated as a substitute for fixed-blade construction.
Routine cleaning of the pivot and locking components is necessary, particularly after exposure to dirt or debris. The blade should also be fully closed before the knife is attached to its neck lanyard.
Lightweight Dimensions for Everyday Carry
The Spud measures 5.59 inches overall and 3.25 inches when closed. Its listed weight of 1.71 ounces makes it substantially lighter than many full-size folding knives.
Those dimensions make it suitable for fifth-pocket carry or other small storage spaces. The pocket clip helps keep the folded knife positioned rather than loose among other items.
Although CJRB describes the handle geometry as accommodating a four-finger grip, the Spud remains a small knife with a short blade. Buyers should consider whether those dimensions suit their usual cutting tasks.
For prolonged use, handle fit and comfort are worth assessing in person where possible. The listed weight and dimensions alone do not establish how comfortable the knife will be during extended cutting sessions.
Applicable knife-carry regulations should also be considered before using either carrying arrangement. Restrictions can vary according to blade length, carry method, and local law.
Who Should Buy the CJRB Spud?
The Spud’s best trick isn’t the blade steel. It’s having somewhere else to go when your pockets aren’t an option. Keep the lanyard attachment on for neck carry, or remove it and use the pocket clip. You don’t need two knives to switch between the two.
At 1.71 ounces, it’s a compact option for opening packages, cutting cord, and other everyday jobs. The aluminum handle is designed for a four-finger grip, though you’ll still want to check how that 3.25-inch closed size fits your hand. Small enough to carry and comfortable to hold aren’t automatically the same thing.
Price: $39.99
Where to Buy: Amazon
If you prefer a longer blade or a roomier handle, look at a larger folder. Chopping and batoning call for a tool built for those jobs. But if you’re after a small utility knife with a choice of pocket or neck carry, the Spud gives you both without a separate sheath.
