My first mate (wife) wants to buy me a rigging knife for xmas. I see I have a choice between std blades and serrated (or combo blades). As a novice, I haven't any experience with serrated cutting knifes. I didn't find anything in archives so was hopping I could get some guidance/opinions from fellow sailors. I would think serrated would cut faster in an emergency...but for general use afraid it would damage the line...bitter end(s)? Does the 70% serrated, 30% std blades really work well or are they a salesmen gimmick? Also was wondering about ease of sharpening serrated? Thanks.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
J
Jeff M.
Combination is preferred
I prefer the 70/30 blades. They give you the option of using the smooth blade for fine cutting or the serrated blade for fast cutting. Sharpening a serrated blade does take a bit more effort and the proper tools, but in my humble opinion it's worth the effort. Check-out the knives made by SOG, the SEAL and SEAL PUP are two of my favorites and both have served me well over the last few years. They're not cheap, but a quality knife never is.
I prefer the 70/30 blades. They give you the option of using the smooth blade for fine cutting or the serrated blade for fast cutting. Sharpening a serrated blade does take a bit more effort and the proper tools, but in my humble opinion it's worth the effort. Check-out the knives made by SOG, the SEAL and SEAL PUP are two of my favorites and both have served me well over the last few years. They're not cheap, but a quality knife never is.
Quality
Bob: I have a Kershaw Marlinespike knife with a straight blade. It is very high quality steel. It sharpens easily and stays sharp. I would think that a serrated blade would cut easier, but can you sharpen it when they need sharpening? (just something to think about).
Bob: I have a Kershaw Marlinespike knife with a straight blade. It is very high quality steel. It sharpens easily and stays sharp. I would think that a serrated blade would cut easier, but can you sharpen it when they need sharpening? (just something to think about).
B
Bob Cassel
Good article in this months Lats and Atts
on just this item. I've got five sailing knives, for different types of sailing. A fixed blade with marlin spike in the sheath, a Buck Mariner, the Wes Marine folding low cost one with shackle tool and marlin spike and a one hand opening short blade with 70/30. The last one I had to make sure I could open with either left or right hand. It is a clip on that I can wear with any type of clothing. Not quite the same as the sheath knives like the Buck or fixed blade. They need to be on a belt and that doesn't work with foul weather gear. I've gotten to the point where I feel undressed without a knife, so I have several for different types of activities, apparell etc. Even have a few Leatherman tools. Each has its own purpose or strength. You need to look at what you're going to be needing the knife for and go there. For my general sailing, the single hand will most likely be my preferred knife. Now I just need to figure how to keep a marlin spike close at hand....
on just this item. I've got five sailing knives, for different types of sailing. A fixed blade with marlin spike in the sheath, a Buck Mariner, the Wes Marine folding low cost one with shackle tool and marlin spike and a one hand opening short blade with 70/30. The last one I had to make sure I could open with either left or right hand. It is a clip on that I can wear with any type of clothing. Not quite the same as the sheath knives like the Buck or fixed blade. They need to be on a belt and that doesn't work with foul weather gear. I've gotten to the point where I feel undressed without a knife, so I have several for different types of activities, apparell etc. Even have a few Leatherman tools. Each has its own purpose or strength. You need to look at what you're going to be needing the knife for and go there. For my general sailing, the single hand will most likely be my preferred knife. Now I just need to figure how to keep a marlin spike close at hand....
G
Gerry
Knife
I have and use a 70/30 mix with a marlin spike and turnbuckle tool. the serraded edge cuts lines fast when you find yourself in trouble and need to cut lines fast. The marlin spike has come in pretty handy also. I put a lanyard on mine as well. you can get these from Snap-On. This way when you are in the water you can't drop and lose it. 2 other handy tools that I cary are a leatherman multi tool and Vice grip makes a multi tool also. Between those 3 I have been able to do most simple tasks and they are easily carried around so they are handy.
I have and use a 70/30 mix with a marlin spike and turnbuckle tool. the serraded edge cuts lines fast when you find yourself in trouble and need to cut lines fast. The marlin spike has come in pretty handy also. I put a lanyard on mine as well. you can get these from Snap-On. This way when you are in the water you can't drop and lose it. 2 other handy tools that I cary are a leatherman multi tool and Vice grip makes a multi tool also. Between those 3 I have been able to do most simple tasks and they are easily carried around so they are handy.
E
Ed Allen
wishard
Spellings not right but its a great knife. I have the marlin spike built in. very sharp very durable sensable design. I was unsure about the glow in the dark handle, but it has turned out to be wonderful. easy to use and easy to see. great blade locking feature. I collect knives, and this is my favorite practical and most used knife. It stays sharp and is strong. I really like the spike.
Spellings not right but its a great knife. I have the marlin spike built in. very sharp very durable sensable design. I was unsure about the glow in the dark handle, but it has turned out to be wonderful. easy to use and easy to see. great blade locking feature. I collect knives, and this is my favorite practical and most used knife. It stays sharp and is strong. I really like the spike.
R
Robert Taylor
old timers trick
when i started sailing about 30 years ago, an old timer told me to get the best knife i could afford and sharpen it on a grinding wheel by dragging it across the wheel at a fairly good clip. this puts serrations in the blade and is easy to sharpen. you do not want a knife that is sharp like a razor. if you want to do an experiment, try to cut through 5/8 line with a single edge razor blade. it takes forever. the grooves cut by the grinding wheel make clearance through the line as you go. i have had my iberson (spike and shackler included) for almost all of that 30 years. it still cuts quick and sure.
when i started sailing about 30 years ago, an old timer told me to get the best knife i could afford and sharpen it on a grinding wheel by dragging it across the wheel at a fairly good clip. this puts serrations in the blade and is easy to sharpen. you do not want a knife that is sharp like a razor. if you want to do an experiment, try to cut through 5/8 line with a single edge razor blade. it takes forever. the grooves cut by the grinding wheel make clearance through the line as you go. i have had my iberson (spike and shackler included) for almost all of that 30 years. it still cuts quick and sure.
S
steven f.
cheapy
I use a crapy old West Marine 30/70 with marlin spike. I've had it for years, fished it out of the sea several times, sharpened it on a side walk a couple times and it still does what I ask it to do. I just can't see spending $50 for a pocket knife that I would surely loose in the first week. It is kinda like cheap sun glasses and ink pens, if I paid for good ones than I'd loose them in days but the cheap ones I can keep for years. Hell, I'm still driving my 1990 pick up truck with no intention of getting a new one. Yeah, I'm a cheap'ol sailor who sails a 1981 boat with some original electronics! Granted, everything I have is old but every single system on my boat runs as it was designed (back in 1981).
I use a crapy old West Marine 30/70 with marlin spike. I've had it for years, fished it out of the sea several times, sharpened it on a side walk a couple times and it still does what I ask it to do. I just can't see spending $50 for a pocket knife that I would surely loose in the first week. It is kinda like cheap sun glasses and ink pens, if I paid for good ones than I'd loose them in days but the cheap ones I can keep for years. Hell, I'm still driving my 1990 pick up truck with no intention of getting a new one. Yeah, I'm a cheap'ol sailor who sails a 1981 boat with some original electronics! Granted, everything I have is old but every single system on my boat runs as it was designed (back in 1981).
S
Sean
Think That's Cheap
I sail a '76 Catalina 30 and drive a 1974 Triumph TR-6. That's cheap. But then, I'm retired and have no money. HeHe!! Sean
I sail a '76 Catalina 30 and drive a 1974 Triumph TR-6. That's cheap. But then, I'm retired and have no money. HeHe!! Sean
A
Alan
Best Lanyard
..is a lenght of bunge cord. Tie one end to whatever you may be wearing and the other to the shackle on the knife. Cut the bungee just long enough so that at your full arm extension the bungee has almost reached its limit. Know you have a lanyard that wont get in the way and will let you reach whatever you need to. We've been doing this for years and we teach all the FNG's the same thing and they love it. PS, it's dirt cheap too. You can afford a new one every year.
..is a lenght of bunge cord. Tie one end to whatever you may be wearing and the other to the shackle on the knife. Cut the bungee just long enough so that at your full arm extension the bungee has almost reached its limit. Know you have a lanyard that wont get in the way and will let you reach whatever you need to. We've been doing this for years and we teach all the FNG's the same thing and they love it. PS, it's dirt cheap too. You can afford a new one every year.
B
Bayard Gross
check out the Ibberson Yacht Kit
I think the best set up is one of the riggers knife, pliers, and marlin spike kits. Please use the link below to see them on sale at Defender. The knives are straight edge which are superior to serated edges for smooth cuts. Serated blades just cut fast, but not smoothly, and do not necessarily always cut faster than a straight blade. The pliers are handy for small shackles where a a normal shackle key may be too large.
I think the best set up is one of the riggers knife, pliers, and marlin spike kits. Please use the link below to see them on sale at Defender. The knives are straight edge which are superior to serated edges for smooth cuts. Serated blades just cut fast, but not smoothly, and do not necessarily always cut faster than a straight blade. The pliers are handy for small shackles where a a normal shackle key may be too large.
S
Steve Christensen
Go with a standard blade
Serrated blades do cut line very well, but they are a bear to sharpen, and really aren't good for anything but cutting line. I keep a serrated rescue style knife tied to my foul weather gear, and to my harness, but my everyday rigging knife has a standard blade - which makes it MUCH more generally useful.
Serrated blades do cut line very well, but they are a bear to sharpen, and really aren't good for anything but cutting line. I keep a serrated rescue style knife tied to my foul weather gear, and to my harness, but my everyday rigging knife has a standard blade - which makes it MUCH more generally useful.
S
Steve
How about both?
Refer to the URL below. Turn to page 728 and look at the knives in the top right of the page. Take a look at the 30% straight, 70% serrated to get the best of both worlds. Lighted too! What more can one ask? Steve
Refer to the URL below. Turn to page 728 and look at the knives in the top right of the page. Take a look at the 30% straight, 70% serrated to get the best of both worlds. Lighted too! What more can one ask? Steve
- Status
- Not open for further replies.