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What sailing knife do you use?

48K views 163 replies 89 participants last post by  MarkofSeaLife 
#1 ·
I must admit that I haven't been good about having a knife on me while sailing. This is something I need to rectify. I plan to get one and have it permanently attached to my harness/lifejacket.

Which knife do you use and how do you keep it at the ready?



MedSailor
 
#37 · (Edited)
Thanks for all the opinions and experience so far. One major thing I need to reconcile is fixed vs folder. In the fixed category it looks like rafting PFD knives and SCUBA BCD knives are contenders.

If I go for a folder it'll be the Boyd knife or the Wichard. I like the idea that the Boyd knife will never rust and practical sailor really liked it, but I wouldn't want the marlinspike breaking off on a knife that costs that much.....

Check this out, Practical Sailor reviewed sailing knives:
Article here:http://boyeknives.com/images/review.pdf

An independent and very detailed review (thesis!) of knives here:
http://www.franciscoresearch.com/images/Nautical_Knife_Market.pdf

MedSailor
 
#40 ·
Oddly enough I had a coupe of extra small good Solingen steel kitchen knives, so I made a small belt sheath for a paring knife, drilled a hole in the handle for an elastic wrist lanyard, and that's my sailing knife. Use in the galley is forbidden because I keep the blade mercilessly sharp. Works with one hand, either hand, and holds an edge that will part any taut line without pushing on it at all.

And it was "free", just had to take it out of the draw.

Of course in a true emergency, I could always dine with it.<G>
 
#41 ·
I have two: one is a folding knife from West Marine. It is stainless and has a sheep's foot blade that is half serrated, half straight edge, a marlinspike (which has trouble locking open), and a shackle key. I keep it on a lanyard that I wear around my neck when working at the mast, or in my pocket. I forget the price, but I know it was under $20. My second knife is a folding pointed serrated blade knife that opens easily with one hand and locks. The handle is plastic with a fake bone insert with a really cheesy "scrimshaw" carving of a buck. The handle also has a belt clip attached to it. I generally keep this knife clipped to my pocket (on the inside). This knife will cut through anything. I got it for $5 at a flea market.
 
#44 ·
For everything I do in and around salt water, I love anything Spyderco makes in their H1 steel. It takes a fantastic edge, it never rusts, it's simple, and not expensive. And I'm a "knife geek."

I've carried one in the pocket of my lifeguard shorts, and given it no maintenance for a year now. Not a speck of rust on it. They're worth the price.
 
#45 · (Edited)
I've had a Buck 315 for the past 25 years or so. I see many good options above, but I can't understand having knives without a marlinspike. I definitely need the spike more often than the blade. The blade is usually a secondary choice made when I need to give up on a better option!
 
#46 ·
I've had a Buck 315 for the past 25 years or so. I see many good options above, but I can't understand to knives without a marlinspike. I definitely need the spike more often than the blade. The blade is usually a secondary choice made when I need to give up on a better option!
I, on the other hand, have been messing about in boats for 11 years now and never even knew that the marlinspike was for undoing seized knots. I thought it was for splicing, which seemed strange to me. Who needs to splice in a hurry....

Now that I know the spike is for getting stuck knots un-stuck I now want one at the ready at all times. Man have I been missing out.....

MedSailor
 
#49 ·
IMHO, if you can't clear the override by pulling vertically, you need to relieve the pressure with a rolling hitch.

Using a marlinspike is inviting line and finger damage. The wrong tool for the job and not on my boat. I've seen a marlin spike missused for many things, rather like hammers and screwdrivers.
 
#50 ·
I keep a Gerber Multi Tool with its case attached to my belt at all times. Most of the time I only need pliers and this is where this tool comes in very handy, but if I need a knife, a serrated blade, file, or even assorted screw drivers, this handy tool has them all.
 
#61 ·
I have a Myerchin Titanium... it wasn't my original choice and was sent to me by Myerchin as a replacement for their "Light" knife that had a built in push light. My locking mechanism broke within 1 year; the knife was hardly ever used. I sent it into Myerchin under warranty and didn't hear anything back from them. I called them 2 weeks after it was sent and they stated they couldn't locate my knife. After several calls and hearing this repeated response I'm glad I had my shipping/tracking receipt - after providing this to them they told me they no longer had my prior style of knife so they sent me the Titanium instead. All in all it took 3 months from the time I sent in my knife for warranty until I received a replacement.

Overall the knife looks and feels good; I'm still a little suspect on quality. I've seen other reviews complaining about problems with the warranted locking mechanism (when it's broke it allows the knife to "float" about half an inch outside of it's casing, exposing the sharp tip). These guys are a very small operation out of CA and the way my warranty work was mishandled was concerning. Absent getting the replacement I'm not sure I would purchase again.
 
#63 ·
After searching the web for a bit last year looking for the perfect sailing knife to carry on my belt while underway(my criteria, of course)...non-folding so I don't have to open it to use it, carbon steel so I can keep it sharp enough to slash through a 5/8 line in a flash, with a blunt end on the blade to prevent inadvertent puncturing of important things and body parts, and the heft to sit in a belt pouch without falling out...I bought a good used butcher knife on ebay for eight dollars, broke the blade at six inches, filed the broken end to round the sharp points at the break, sealed the handle with Deks Olje, and sharpened it to a fine edge. It's a great knife...heavy, sharp, and ready for use.

For marlinspike and other tools that are not normally needed in an emergency, I go to the toolbox.
 
#66 ·
Similar to fryewe, I bought a boning knife and cut if down. The marlinspike I turned on a lathe. For a sheath, I just sewed on up out of leather. Other than needing to make a new sheath after ~6 years of wearing it 120 days/year, it hasn't needed anything. I have probably sharpened it 50 times at this point.

I also carry a leatherman wave for those simple projects where I don't want to bother going and getting out the toolbox. There isn't a lanyard on it because I never really use it in situations where it should have one.
 
#67 ·
I have a Myerchin Lightknife. The marlinspike isn't a spike exactly, but a slim hook that you can push into a knot, hook below the loop holding it tight, and remove it pretty quickly. The serrated blade cuts nicely, but the tip is pointed and might hole anything inflatable (which hasn't been an issue for me yet).

It's got a 18" lanyard attached to a small carabiner that i clip to a belt loop. The knife is in my pocket, easily retrieveable with one hand, and won't go for a swim.
 
#71 · (Edited)
I was reading about this knife extensively yesterday. It comes with an attachment rig for attaching to a PFD lash tab (that black square thingy). Several reviews I read say that once it's on the lash tab the problem is that you can never get it off! One reviewer was mad at NRS for this because now he has to buy a second knife for backpacking since he can't get the sheath off his PFD.



MedSailor
 
#69 ·
Carbon

Thanks for the post, I have read thru several knife threads hoping to find something that appeals to me. I think I have found it thru your post. Have you owned it long enough to decide how well it keeps an edge?


Non-folding, compact and blunt tip is what I am looking for if any others have suggestions.

John
 
#74 ·
Carbon, Thanks for the post... Have you owned it long enough to decide how well it keeps an edge?
You're quite welcome. I'm pleased that my son was able to find it for me; he did good. :)

No. I haven't even used it yet.

Non-folding, compact and blunt tip is what I am looking for if any others have suggestions.
That was my criteria as well. Also quick access, I don't want to have to stand up on the foredeck to get it out of my pocket.
 
#70 ·
I have the NRS Co-Pilot on my pfd for whitewater kayaking and it works well for that. It does a decent job of cutting but doesn't cut really small diameter stuff very easily since it just gets hung up in the serrated part. Luckily in that sport, you use your knife so infrequently (well expect for making pb&j) that I have no idea how well it holds an edge.
 
#72 · (Edited)
After much consideration I have decided on a knife. Thank you to all who contributed advice. I had no idea there were so many good knifes out there for the purpose!

Honorable mention goes to the Boyd knife. #1 with Practial sailor, made of a metal that will never rust and looks to be a life-long tool.

Honorable mention also goes to the Wichard entries, both the model posted by Jackdale (Post#2) and the "one hand" model which does look easy to open with one hand.

In the end I decided that the REAL need/intended use for the knife would be to cut something free in an emergency. To that end I decided that even though there are some great folders out there that I would go with a fixed blade knife. If I'm trapped by my tether hanging over the boat side while wearing my bulky helmsman gloves, or if my foot is in a loop of anchor line going overboard I can't be sure I'll correctly fumble the folder out. The rest of the features, like marlinspike and shackle key, I'll have to live without on this tool in order to guarantee it'll work when needed..

In fact, I never even knew what a marlin spike was before this thread, so I think I can continue to get by without one at hand. I may yet get a Myerchin P300 which has the marlinspike and pliers on it as a tool, but not for emergency use.

Since I was after a fixed knife that I could be sure I'd get to, and would work in an emergency, I found that kayaking knifes and scuba knives offered the best selection. There are many good options that are meant for easy access, even with gloves on (especially scuba knives), and that don't rust.

This is the knife I chose. Wenoka "Squeeze" Lock Titanium Knife, Tanto Tip It's got a positive locking sheath with quick access (even with gloves). 4.7 out of 5 from 54 reviews. It's blunt tipped with a sharp regular side, a serrated side, and a line-cutter notch. It's 100% titanium (not just the handle) so it's light, will hold an edge and will never rust. $53 shipped. No shackle key or malinspike, but looks like a trusty tool that'll be accessable and will work if you NEED it. I'll review it here when I get it and after I've used it a bit.


MedSailor

PS In close second was the NRS pilot or copilot knife. They had mixed reviews though on their retention system. Some said it had metal springs that rusted and others lost their knives. Also their titanium version is $120. I bet that the oxygen wrench on the NRS knife would make a decent shackle key though...

PPS Here is another titanium knife like the one I chose. Cheaper, smaller, and still highly rated. Less than $40 shipped and it's 100% titanium!http://www.leisurepro.com/Prod/BLRKMT.html?&&#pr-header-BLRKMT
 
#84 · (Edited)
After much consideration I have decided on a knife.

MedSailor
I had the steel version of that same knife. I would stay away from TI knives for an oh **** knife. Ti is great for not rusting, doesn't hold an edge or cut all that well in a hurry.
The blades are short and the serations are wrong. It is almost the fixed blade version of a multi-tool(doing several things at once, none as well as a dedicated blade).

If it's only for the use you've outlined I would go with a good modern steel(some of the newer new powdered steels come to mind) with a longer scallopped serration and thin blade. Blunted round tip, fixed blade, single type . For dive knives those are fine, the hook is a benefit, I used mine to find and trap fishing line I couldn't see to cut(tangled up on my regulator behind my head. Thick is great for prying. In a large rope tangled situation where time mattered I would never trust it. The sharp portion is too short, the handle is too skinny. The sheath doesn't retain well enough on it's own, and hangs on too well when you want the knife. Fine if you can just swim down and dig it out of the mud and go back to whatever you are messing about with. Not fine if you're trying to cut yourself free in a hurry.:eek:

I would stick exclusively to river rescue type knives, or sailing knives.

EDIT: For example the Emerson La Griffe, good retention, small profile, finger hole helps to index it. There is always the debate of whether you should have a knife tethered or not, propenents say yes because losing it when tangled isn't going to help, those against it say it's one more thing to tangle and if you can't reach the problem you're up the creek, or worse if it falls out of the sheath and you get bitten by it while you're flailing around.

http://www.emersonknives.com/ekLaGriffe_WWR_SFS.php

CRKT etc curved river knives are a cheaper version, but IMO the Emerson knives are better. Ernie Emerson is a really solid guy, though I would hate to lose one of his customs over the side, the prices on his production ones aren't bad.
 
#75 · (Edited)
Mini,

Thanks for this. I did some homework and apparently there are several titanium alloys being used. The best alloy for knife sharpness/hardness is a beta alloy which is still 100% corrosion resistant. Beta alloy is what's used in the Winoka knife. Some knife fanatics over on knife/blade forums seem to approve of the titanium alloy used in this knife. They also report that it appears the knife is made in Japan (a definite plus). If it's good enough for them, it's more than good enough for me since I'm not a knife nut. Also, since I'm not prone to babying my tools, I figure a corrosion free knife is more likely to be a sharp knife for me.

I'll take a look at the hook when I get it. Even if it's a bit small for rope, one full side of the blade is serrated which should work well for rope.

I ordered the knife today and will post a review once I have played with it for a while.

MedSailor

From knifeforums.com:
"Welcome to KF

AFAIK Wenoka is the name for a range of knives, it is not the name of the company. The name may have been derived/corrupted from one of the lesser known Native American tribes since most of the more popular names (Apache, Commanche, Sioux.....) have already been taken. Not sure where they lived except it was almost certainly north of Mexico and south of Canada

Actual company is Deep See, which is parto of the Aqual Lung Group

Deep See: Part of the Aqua Lung Family of Brands

Their Ti range uses beta-Titanium, which is the most advanced Ti that's available commercially."
 
#76 · (Edited)
I use a Myerchin Offshore Rigging Knife with a wooden handle. Why? It is beautifully made, it has a fid, a small shackle key, and my girlfriend gave it to me for my birthday. It appears to keep an edge. I did remove the belt clip so it's more comfortable in my hand. It's the kind of knife to use and pass down to your children.

Knife Hunting knife Blade Utility knife Tool
 
#77 ·
I finally settled on the knife for me.

SOG TWITCH II

I've been looking for a compact and slender pocket knife (one handed opening) that will primarily serve in an emergency (worst fear is probably No. 1 with everyone - falling overboard caught in a line).

Compact and slender with 2.68" blade. Absolutely one-handed (spring loaded) opening. As lightning fast as a switch-blade. Hard anodized-aluminum handle and AUS-8 stainless steel cryogenically heat-treated blade for a razor sharp edge. If it ever needs sharpening, it'll take to a stone very nicely.



Here is the spec page -- be sure and watch the short video

SOG Twitch II. SOG Twitch 2 Folding Knife From SOG Specialty Knives & Tools
 
#79 ·
If your primary reason for having a knife is to cut the tether after falling overboard, I highly doubt a one handed folding knife will do anyone any good at all. Have you ever been pulled out of the water onto water skis? The force of the water is enormous. When being dragged behind a sailboat, even doing only 5 or 6 knots, just the presence of mind to turn over on your back so you won't drown may be a feat. I have one of these attached to my pfd/harness for cutting the tether........

Amazon.com: Spinlock S-Cutter Safety Knife: Sports & Outdoors@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31pogek1AzL.@@AMEPARAM@@31pogek1AzL

I also carry a one handed opening blade clipped inside my front pocket. That is to allow me to cut my other hand free if it gets caught in a line or winch. Ouch, hard to even think of it.
 
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