The cutting edge

[sjs21474]

I continue

to flip flop between stainless and carbon, and between serrated and straight blade, and between sheath knife and folder. Stainless holds an edge longer, but carbon is more easily sharpened by any but a professional knife sharpener. Serrations cut line and webbing much faster and better (but only if a quality serration, a cheap one is worse than useless), but are very hard to sharpen properly. Sheath knives are surer and faster with one hand (while the other hand is holding on) but folders are more compact. As mentioned by others, a folder must have a locking blade.My current primary blade is a Myerchin SS lock blade folding rigging knife with a short straight blade, a marlinspike and resides in a nylon sheath on my belt. My next one is anyone's guess but one thing is for sure, if you go with a quality brand, the modern knives are much better than anything that used to be available.

 

[Reid Cameron]

Leatherman Wave all the time.

I had a fancy rigging knife but got deep into places and needed some other tool to many times. I checked lots of models and settled on the Wave as fits my needs. Lots of stories but needless to say I now wear it all the time. Sounds Mr. Gagit but you can always help allong the way of life. Reid. Hunter 43 in Caribbean.

 

[Warren M.]

FYI...

...the current issue of "Boatworks" has an interesting article comparing and contrasting a number of multi-function tools/knives.wm

 

[ex-admin]

Final results

Final results for the Quick Quiz ending May 30, 2005:I carry a knife while sailing: 79% Almost every time I'm on the boat10% Only now and then06% Never, knives are for cutting limes for the beer 05% Only when an emergency arises1,216 owners responding

 

[Krugerrand]

Thats not a Knife This is a Knife.

Crocodial Dundee said "Thats not a Knife This is a Knife"I have always had my knife on my hip at all times when I sail. If the weather gets rough you may have to cut a line or some thing and if you have to go looking for your knife in a chart table and when you find it its dull you may have cost a crew member his or her life.I think every man woman and child should have a good knife on a belt at all times while underway.

 

[Kurt Schultz]

Sheath knife Victorinox "Swiss tool"

Sheath knives are the best!! I used to work on traditional sailing vessels and made a rigging knife out of an old GI issue sheath knife and carry a marlin spike too. I usually also carry my Victorinox "Swiss tool" (easier to use than the Leatherman and has better steel--although I still use my Leatherman sheath--I've ripped 2 Victorinox nylon sheaths) and a small pocket knife as well. I've had to cut big lines twice in an emergency, and without a sheath knife, it wouldn't have happened nearly as quickly and would have put us more in danger. I also keep a couple Victorinox serrated blade knives (cheap and sharp) around the boat in various places (easy to grab in a hurry--for me or someone else) for cutting polypropylene lines tangled around props, rudder, etcStrangely enough, some of the research boats I've checked into working aboard won't allow sheath knives to be carried!!!

 

[Jon W.]

New knife

I shouldn't keep reading these forumsI keep an older Leatherman Supertool in my tool box, a old Davis rigging knife at the nav station, and a Swiss Army knife in the galley. But after reading this thread, I bought a Myerchin safety/dive sheath knife (A500). I'm going to use cable ties to attach it to the pedestal, so I don't have to duck below all the time when I need a knife on deck.

 

[Richard May]

good knife on credit

Having a good knife on board is essential and a "good" knife is one that feels good in the hands. But if you ever get caught without a knife, a credit card can come to your rescue.Take an ordinary credit card and fold it diagonally. Keep folding until it separates and you have an implement that can cut, saw and stick. Although rather crude, it can be a really good knife if it gets you out of a jam.

 

[William]

Best Knife, Swiss!

This knife has served me well and will be the last one you'll need to buy. It has every option, like a leatherman but never loosens/rusts and the blades stay sharper longer. No wonder every nation has trembled at the prospect of invading Switzerland for centuries, or that the Pope would insist on their guard, armed with these knives Switzerland will continue to be a feared nation.

 

[Sean]

Swiss army knife

William, Swiss knives are certainly built well, their time pieces are also second to none, however, being a us marine I have to comment on your military analysis, the Swiss army in my humble opinion is about as fearsome as the christmas time deployment of the Salvation army!