Neckerchief - The Cowboys Leatherman

[Joe Rios]

I've heard it called a neckerchief, a bandanna or a wild rag. Whatever you call it, there's no debate over the fact that this piece of ageless technology is still of use today. A functional, multipurpose device which has many, many uses. Measuring approximately 36" squared, though some are smaller, it was made from silk or cotton. Although I would venture to say other fabrics are also used. It's uses are limited only by the imagination.

Some uses:

Hold down your hat on a windy day.
Protect your ears against the cold.
Protect your hand against a hot pot or skillet.
A makeshift rope.
A sling.
A bandage.

There are many more.....

Yesterday I happened to be cutting my grass, what's left of it due to the drought, and happened to wear a neckerchief. I wore it around my neck to keep it from getting sunburned. After a while in the heat, I wet the neckerchief and placed it around my neck to keep me a little cooler. The mower kicked up a bunch of dust so I swung it around and covered up my nose and mouth. I used it to blow my nose. I used it to wipe the sweat out of my eyes, and no, not with the same part I used to blow my nose. I used it to beat the dust off my jeans and shirt before I went into the house.

I think I paid four bucks for it in Llano. Now that's what I call more bang for your buck!

I thought, with everyone's help we could come up with a, "101 uses for the neckerchief" list.

Thanks for your replies!
Joe

[Lee Anderson]

Most of the workin' cowboys wore it around their neck where it absorbed a lot of sweat and was nearly always damp. If it was removed and waved through the air a few times it got pretty cold from evaporative cooling and felt real good on the face. It's especially handy in that manner when you're on a horse.

[Reb]

I just took mine off. It's called a neckerchief 'n it absorbs sweat... keeps crud outta your mouth 'n nose. I've used this one in particular for a bandage when I got run into a tree awhile back... 'cause it was bleedin' pretty good 'n I was still a few miles out on that damn nag.
So.. Bandage would be a use I've put one of mine to. I've also wrapped on around the cap of a leaky canteen.

[Carbine]

I'ved used Red ones as a warning flag tacked to long loads in the back end of my pick-up.

[Lightnin Rick]

You can use it as a Pop or snap whip too.

[Will Killem]

I've used mine to strain drinkin' water.

[Christopher Mace]

Don't forget it also make a good TOURNIQUET.

[Ralph Bernklow]

When I was a kid, Boy Scouts wore neckerchiefs. If you can find a scout handbook from the '30s or '40s you might find some more uses. Somewhere along the line they decided to cut it in half. Half the size, surely less than half as useful.

[Reb]

Yeah... they made 'em into triangles. Not good for much. We had to tie the ends inna square knot... 'looked goofy. 'Had to use a neckerchief slide instead of tyin' the thing inna square knot in the first place. I s'pose that was to sell more neckerchief slides. My troops colors were green and yellow. (Ugh). I was in the Beaver Patrol... that continued on long after the Scouts. : P

I got one on me now (a neckerchief... not a beaver).

[Fearless Roland]

Mine was used for a make shift dog collar in Oklahoma when my dog discovered the joys of squirrel chasing.

[Reb]

I'll tell y'all this... I been wearin' one of some material or other near every day. More 'n more I find what them ol' timers wore... they wore for a reason. Lot of that's been forgot or never learned... maybe even laffed at... but that stuff works here.