The cutting edge

[lookoutnw]

Life saver or Crazy Proceedure?

While hanging in a tree many years ago after jumping out of a perfectly good airplane, the proceedure is to cut yourself loose and go to the ground. No problem with the ground 20-25 feet below. Did I fail to mention that my right leg was snapped at the knee or that my left ankle was twisted around backwards? Well searated blades are the way to go when you want to cut in a hurry. Ask any emergency services person and they will show you their blade that will cut a safety belt or? in a heartbeat. Good quality is not an option. When your life, or others depends on it, no blaade is too expensive.

 

[chuckwayne]

boat knives

given the trend towards hi tech lines, you need a knife that can actually quickly cut them and be opened with one hand. I carry a boye cobalt knife, sheepsfoot blade with serrations at all times, and a leatherman wave for it's utility blades and tools.years ago on a charter in Roatan, a sudden squall ripped a jib block out of the deck and the whipping sheet snarled a crew member. I cut the sheet with my trusty old rigging knife, but was shocked by how long it took-since then, I've always made sure I could quickly cut the worst line on the boat!

 

[imzens@yahoo.com]

Airport security

My co-owner had the knife he normally used on the boat confiscated at the Las Vegas airport. He forgot that it was in his carry-on bag.

 

[GeoffS]

Don't make it too fancy!

On my way from Tortola to Trinidad in '02, I stopped in the Bequia Bookstore on (duh) Bequia, and fell in love with a Sam McDowell skrimshaw lockback. Has three sqare riggers pictured on one side, and frolicking dolphins on the other. Plus, a beautiful razor sharp japanese damascus blade. I paid a king's ransom for it ($300 US), but swore I'd make it MY pocket knife. Put it in my pocket every day for a solid year.Trouble was, I never took it out. It was too precious. I certainly never used it for the everyday utilitarian tasks, like opening a UPS package or trimming the foil on a bottle of Chardonnay...wouldn't want to dull it, eh? So, in my pocket it stayed. Eventually, I began carrying my old Gerber multitool again, so that I actually had a KNIFE I'd use; and I do. My showpiece Sam McDowell stays on my dresser, and sometimes goes out to play when I'm off to a birthday party, in case the birthday boy/girl needs something to cut the ribbons with. And if so, the knife gets the oohs and aahs it deserves. Maybe it's the price I paid, maybe it's my reverence for the craftsmanship, maybe I fear that I could lose it the way I lose pens and sunglasses. But I suspect if asked, Sam would rather I just used the damn thing as a knife, and give joy and usefulness to the owner on a daily basis.

 

[IndyJim]

I've used many but...

I've used Swiss Army knives and Leatherman knives onboard but last year my wife bought me a Myerchin Riggin knife with a marlin spike and serrated blade. It is without a doubt the best blade I've had onboard. Extremely sharp, quick cutting and the spike helps with those knots that land lubbers often tie when you're not looking. I keep one onboard at all times with a lanyard so Neptune doesn't claim it. There's also a smaller Myerchin in my man overboard bag...just in case.

 

[Rich L]

Sears multi-tool

My preference is a multi-tool sold at Sears. It's a little bigger than a Leatherman (which I carried for a couple of years). The advantage of it is a much better locking mechanism for the screw drivers and blade. Also has two types of serrated blades, two straight blades, and a few other niceties. Wish it had a marlin spike.I agree with others on this thread about a one-handed efficient cutting tool on your person when sailing for emergencies. So I think two knives are needed, cause no multi-tool is going to be easy to open one-handed (that I've seen).

 

[Rusty]

Leatherman all the way

Wave model for me. multiple tools and, unlike others in this popular tool class, durable and warranted. I have had others in the multi-tool class, and none of them held up. pliers, wirecutters, screwdrivers, file, scissors, bottle opener, tweezers, and of course knife.

 

[Rusty]

and made in the good old USA, of course!

VERY hard to find these days.

 

[Rick Webb]

I like the Craftsman One As Well

The best part is if it breaks or rusts up you just trade it for a new one. I also carry a " Gerber with a clip and locking blade on the boat and am never (except when flying commercial) my 2" Buck.

 

[Ken Frehm]

Multi-Tool, Multi Knives

I carry the Swiss Victorinox on my belt almost always. IMHO, it is the best out there.. real robust tools, easy to access and all extremely utilitarian ~ all are used! On board I have a SS (stainless steel) knife in a scabbard mounted in the cabin and in easy reach for quick jobs or for emergencies. Also I have a small SS folder on a lanyard that can be put around my neck and used on deck. I would not be happy if my Swiss Victorinox went into the drink.  I also carry most times a folding mat knife. Uses mat razor blades, .. use one side, reverse it and you have a new extremely sharp blade. Great for cutting cardboard, and other jobs that might require precision slicing. And no need to ever sharpen... blade gets dull, just throw away and replace with inexpensive new one! (see photo) Keeping all the blades sharp in my arsenal of knives is a challenge. But really great results can be attained using a Lansky type sharpening system.. the blade is clamped into a holder and then the stones (or diamond) can be applied whilst keeping an exact angle. Using a series of stones, from coarse to extra fine, one can attain a superbly sharp edge and then short touch ups with a steel or a leather strop afterwards... I've always had a love of knives and always will...:}

 

[THE PHANTOM]

Be Prepared

Be prepared: A pocket or sheath knife, whatever kind, number and types of blades and or brand and fits your style is a handy, convenient and a necessity to handle todays opening, fixing and emergencies that pop up unexpectedly. After 911 you do have to watch where you are, when you have a knife on your person for because of the rules of the road may not except a knife of any size.

 

[Spinnikerman]

Knivess on a boat ARE A MUST

Just love the reality of the "knife" thing. A good seaman or waterman WILL always have a blade of some type on him. Having sailed/raced/cruised around the world(‘81 Whitbread)and more, I would never go out on the water with out a blade. The question is, and we could go on and on with this topic....what kind of??? My penny is that if I am going on the water I always have an open blade on a lanyard e.g. sheath knife on me..I do have my pockets cluttered with a hybrid of various knives, much to my wife’s horror, she say I collect them like a squirrel collects nuts...for one main reason. On one of the races in the southern ocean our foredeck hand went over the side, good training and alert crew helped to retrieve him quickly. His tether/safety line wrapped around his leg placing him in a weird painful position. Here we are doing 7+ knots and a crewman spinning around like a Rappallo jig on a big game fishing boat. He managed to get himself unwrapped and cut the tether. If he had a clasp type knife it would have been impossible to do all that, and still fish it out of where ever, let alone open the clasp. Even MacGyver or Bond would be hard pressed to achieve this feat.We keep 2 sharp sheathed knives handy, within easy reach of the cockpit for emergencies. Just a thought to consider when choosing a blade, open or closed?.....the million dollar question

 

[Charles Jackson]

Yes, A Knife

I've carried a knife for as long as I remember and definitely carry one on board. A locking blade Buck w/ a 21/2 " blade. After reading the response from others I believe some sort of knife in a sheath is in order for that Emergency. My buck,while good, might present a problem if I had to remove it from my pocket and open it w/one hand. I did need my trusty pocket version once when in the wee hrs we were unable to break our anchor free so I at least salveged the line.

 

[Tom s/v GAIA]

The best sailing / boating knife I've ever owned

Was made by Buck, it had a sheep foot blade and a marlin spike. I lost it about 5 years ago and still haven't been able to find another. For now I'm carring a knife made by CAMILLUS, sheep foot blade and a marlin spike. The steel isn't as good, doesn't hold an edge as long, but it will do until I find another BUCK. I wouldn't even think of taking the boat without a good knife on my belt.Toms/v GAIA

 

[David J.11350]

Buck Yachtsman

Tom,I still have my Buck Yachtsman 315 - I'm going to attach a lanyard to it tonight! I didn't realize that it was discontinued. Got it about 10 years ago as a gift - wouldn't go sailing without it.Found a website that has 2 for sale, but a bit pricey (don't know the original cost).Good Luck!

 

[Ugadawg]

Sailing knife

I feel naked without my SS lockback pocket knife which seems to find a use more often than not. Just this past weekend, for some reason the genoa sheets were hanging up on the whisker pole padeye so my "sailing buddy" cut a length of excess line from the traveler and fashioned some sort of guard around the padeye.Next weekend's project will be to cut lengths of rope to enable use of the reefing grommets in the mainsail.

 

[Don]

There is something...

... very satifying about carrying, and fiddling with, a good knife. Must go back to our hunter (no pun...)gatherer days...

 

[Alan Izzard]

Multi Purpose Blades

Having many knives in my arsenal, I'm never without my SS blade with a marlin spike & shackle key. This I find use for constantly.

 

[Kevin on SEA TOY]

Utility

Been carrying a knife most of my adult life. Most of the time a simple Swiss Army knife for the handy tools, including the bottle opener and corkscrew. On board, however, a rigging knife is both a useful tool and a safety measure. If you need to cut a line in a hurry, you can't be looking for a blade. Traveling can be difficult with a knife now of any kind. Usually I chuck it in my shave kit and check the luggage if I have to fly. Driving is a lot easier.

 

[Jack O'Neil]

I carry a Gerger Paraframe

I caryy a 2 inch Gerger Paraframe AUS-6. This is a 2 inch lockback that can be opened with one hand. The blade is a combination serrated and plain edge. I don't go anywhere without it. (Except airports)