Knife

[bumblefish]

Which is the best knife for general use and which would you prefer to have in your raft/grab bag?

<hr width=100% size=1>...If you can find the simple solution to a complex problem, you've got it wrong!.........

 

[Gordonmc]

French carbon-steel lock-knife for fish gutting. Captains knife with shackle key for deck work. Whack-off big bread knife with serrated edge for everything else. Diving knife for the grab-bag as it has a bit of all three previously listed.

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[DogStar]

I used to work for the UK importer of Gerber knives, from the U.S., and they make one called the rescue knife. I believe its being used by RYA sailing instructors, or is approved by them, but that may just be marketing claptrap. It does, however, cut through rope very quickly. It will go through 14mm in one cut. It has the added benefit of having a blunt tip so that it can be used to cut rope from around limbs, masts, etc., and the blade can be opened easily with one hand.
I'm still trying to blag a few, but may actually have to shell out!

Other than that I have a nice Italian made knife with a lanyard, sheepsfoot blade and shackle key that's rarely far out of reach.

<hr width=100% size=1>I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy!

 

[wooslehunter]

Do you want a knife or a multi-tool.

If it's a knife I've found a great one at www.ndiver.com.

Search around the dive suppliers and you'll find plent of stainless knives. The problem with stainless is that it doesn't hold an edge and it does corrode. I've worn out several dive knives over the years by sharpening.

My current knife is titanium. It doesn't have a scrap of corrosion as expected and does hold it's edge. That's after three years of dive use.

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[starboard]

Would say the Gerber is the best on the market for the purpose it is designed....i.e. cutting through rope quick, for this a cerated edge is a must. The only down side of this knife is the price!!! be prepared to take on a mortgage but as with most things in life you get what you pay for.

Happy cutting (hope its not the fingers)

Paul.

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[Sunnyseeker]

Definately the new knife at the Seaworks show, apparently developed for use with RIBS and rescue craft, especially inflatables, its got a rounded end so there is much less risk of a point doing any punctureing, but a tough serated blade that folds into the handle. Nice piece of kit.
The company that makes it is called greatkit in warsash, sales@greatkit.com

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[richardandtracy]

I've a dive knife that I bought in Reute in the Austrian Tyrol in 1976.
I used it for years as my only kitchen knife. Absolutely stupendous - it is stainless but is so hard the sharpening stone I used wore out and my stainless steel chopping board is covered in nicks.
I finally broke the handle splitting 4" logs with it two weeks into a camping holiday in Canada where I had to split all the logs I used & didn't have an axe. I kept the blade and have made a new handle (have bought an axe too).
Unfortunately I haven't the faintest idea of the manufacturer, sorry.

Regards

Richard.


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[Mirelle]

Best cheap pocket knife - the French carbon steel Opinel knives.

Best thing to have in a liferaft - Leatherman Wave multitool.

I think that there is a grade of stainless which holds a pretty good edge - 400-something, from memory. But it is very expensive - you can get beautiful knives made of this but you are talking tens of pounds. I've got a couple of deck knives (one German, one Japanese) made of this and they are excellent.

<hr width=100% size=1>Que scais-je?

 

[Peppermint]

Re: Why buy expensive

knives to take to sea.

My criteria is that it must lock. it must open with one hand and it must be sharp.
I like a three to four inch blade and a lanyard attaching point for a wrist strap.
You can buy such a knife for about £10-£15 less if your lucky. Why not a buy a couple.

The sea is littered with Swiss Army Gerbers and cheap knives I prefer to loose the cheap ones.

On my lifejacket harness is a Musto sailing knife. It has a blade that I keep on the serrated edge but the blade is reversable. It also has a shackle key and bottle opener cut out of the blade. It's not a very well made knife or sheath and it wouldn't frighten Crocodile Dundee but it is a reasonable survival knife. If you don't have a knife on your lifejacket you've never been trapped underwater. I think they're essential.

As to multi tools. Halfords make a nice stainless steel unit for about £12.




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[Jools_of_Top_Cat]

have to agree with all said about the gerber rescue knife.

I bought one as part of SWMBO birthday pressie in June, absolutely fabulous knife, cuts through rope like butter, lightweight and safe.

Found one for £31.00 online and now I want one for myself!

<hr width=100% size=1>Julian

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[AndCur]

Divers knives are hard to beat

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[Jools_of_Top_Cat]

yes, but they are pointy, a bit scary on a pitching boat IMO.

<hr width=100% size=1>Julian

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[PerL]

Some diving knives are sold with a blunt point. (see below) Personally I have a diving knife inside the boat and a well-maintained but rather cheap knife taped to the back-stay for emergency use.

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.poseidon.se/utrustning/produkt_sv.dip?id=76> Poseidon Minimaster BT </A>

<hr width=100% size=1><P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by PerL on 23/07/2004 08:50 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[PerL]

Shouldn't the raft standard kit contain a knife? I'm pretty sure mine does...

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[bumblefish]

When I posed the question I was looking for a new deck knife, marlin spike, shackle key and bottle opener, and I was thinking about an extra knife for a grab bag, over and above the standard life raft contents. My old Compass freebie is probably not up to much any more!

<hr width=100% size=1>...If you can find the simple solution to a complex problem, you've got it wrong!.........

 

[PerL]

OK, sorry for misunderstanding you.

I haven't actually asked about this, but I assumed the knife packed in the life raft would be checked and maintained during the standard re-packing and service procedure and thereafter packed in a way that ensured it's good condition until it would be used. If the raft knife is of no use that is a serious issue.







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[bumblefish]

Sorry to you, no offence meant, my fault for not stating my case clearly enough, lucky I am not a lawyer might run out of work, at least my clients are asleep!

<hr width=100% size=1>...If you can find the simple solution to a complex problem, you've got it wrong!.........

 

[Peppermint]

Re: How naive

the knife, along with most of the kit packed in your liferaft, is almost certain to be c**p. On par with the powder puff size sponge and budgie sized rescue quoite.

If you do a Sea Survival course you will be disappointed at the standard of kit.

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[DogStar]

Re: How naive

http://www.gerberblades.com/products/view.php?model=5740

Another good knife, ideal for RIBs, blunt tip and so on. I like to have a knife on my belt when on board, even just for maintenance, rather than rely on there being one to hand.

<hr width=100% size=1>I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy!

 

[bumblefish]

Re: How naive

What about this one then?
E-Z Out™ Rescue
http://www.gerberblades.com/products/view.php?model=6971

<hr width=100% size=1>...If you can find the simple solution to a complex problem, you've got it wrong!.........