KnoxAnchor - has anyone any experience of using one?

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Neeves

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The Knoxanchor was launched with minimal fanfare and I have seen almost no mention since. Professor, or John, Knox knows his stuff, published over the last 15 years,or so, some very good articles on anchoring based on extensive research and if anyone knew about anchors it was John. The KnoxAnchor looked a bit expensive(?), was recommended to be used at a very small size (so definitely not 'Bigger is Better') and though nostalgia and jingoism is out of fashion it would have been good to see another anchor success coming out of Scotland.

So is there a success in the making?

Jonathan
 
Neeves said:
The Knoxanchor was launched with minimal fanfare and I have seen almost no mention since. Professor, or John, Knox knows his stuff, published over the last 15 years,or so, some very good articles on anchoring based on extensive research and if anyone knew about anchors it was John. The KnoxAnchor looked a bit expensive(?), was recommended to be used at a very small size (so definitely not 'Bigger is Better') and though nostalgia and jingoism is out of fashion it would have been good to see another anchor success coming out of Scotland.

So is there a success in the making?

Jonathan
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I once tried an early version of the Knox in Kilchattan Bay in sand in a solid F7 (a lunch stop and teaching anchoring under sail on an RYA course)

Because it was a teaching exercise we did it 3 times. The anchor dug in and held first time every time (in what I believe is hard sand) and held solid with 30 kts of wind and full revs astern. (The latter unnecessary in the conditions, but I had been asked to test the anchor . . . )

The anchor was a 7kg model and the boat was a Sigma 33. To say I was pleasantly surprised would be putting it mildly. I would definitely like one as a backup for our trusty Spade.

- W
 
Do you imply you would not use it instead of the Spade. And what stops you buying one as a back up.

Your results look impressive, seems to support John Knox claims. Nice to have a few more comments

Jonathan
 
Neeves said:
Do you imply you would not use it instead of the Spade. And what stops you buying one as a back up.

Your results look impressive, seems to support John Knox claims. Nice to have a few more comments

Jonathan
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I'm delighted with the Spade, so why would I stop using it as my main anchor?

And my reasons for not buying a Knox?

1. It doesn't seem to be on the market yet

2. I couldn't afford one

- W
 
I bought one last year to replace my 60 lb CQR. They are being supplied from Metaflake in Fife, Scotland http://www.metaflake.com/index.php or at least this is who supplied mine. I believe mine was one of the first 18 kg ones to be made.

I bought it after researching anchors and Dr Knox kept popping up in articles. After trawling about the web I found a few stories about how they worked very well. So in a leap of faith and with a certain desire to support local businesses I bought the anchor. I haven't used mine yet, hopefully next week.

Quote from Dr Knox from email correspondence: -

We have had a very positive response from one of our customers who has been using a 13 kg model in West Coast locations over three a 3-weeks cruise, taking in anchorages in the Outer Hebrides, Canna, Skye and Mull, with no problems in any of them. Not that we had any doubts, but confirmation is very encouraging!
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I've discussed one aspect of the design of the Knox with a forumite, but it would be instructive to hear what others think.

Looking at the split fluke design (which does not articulate) do you think the gap at the sharp end is likely to snag in chain, or jam with pebbles ? Would a single continuous fluke be 'better' ?


I have yet to hear Knox's comment in reply to my recent enquiry on this point.
 
I have had stones stuck in the gap of the Danforth, very rare but it has occurred.
 
sarabande said:
I've discussed one aspect of the design of the Knox with a forumite, but it would be instructive to hear what others think.

Looking at the split fluke design (which does not articulate) do you think the gap at the sharp end is likely to snag in chain, or jam with pebbles ? Would a single continuous fluke be 'better' ?


I have yet to hear Knox's comment in reply to my recent enquiry on this point.
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I believe the gap at the tip of the 2 flukes will be joined up, presumably welded - which should overcome the problem and would also make the whole fluke plate stronger.

And in answer to Webcraft - I had been underwhelmed by the hype surrounding the release of the anchor (so I'm not surprised you had not thought it in production) but the prices I had seen looked not ones to draw too much enthusiasm, or certainly not from fellow Scots. But you imply its not so good you would retire your Spade (and John was a Spade user).
 
Neeves said:
I believe the gap at the tip of the 2 flukes will be joined up, presumably welded - which should overcome the problem and would also make the whole fluke plate stronger. ....
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It is open on my 18 kg model which was fabricated and supplied last October. I don't see it as a problem, it isn't on the Danforth, which I used fairly regularly over 5 years of near full time sailing using it. However, I do wonder why there is a gap between the two flukes, perhaps it's there for manufacturing reasons.
 
From the Website...

"The key innovative feature of the Knox anchor is its patented DIVIDED FLUKE rigidly welded to the shank. The Divided Fluke is responsible for the exceptional holding power of the Knox Anchor.

The two half-flukes, with sharpened edges, are mounted at a dihedral angle of 20˚ to enhance immediate initial embedment of the anchor."

I have always used Danforths (now fortress) but this NGA has got my attention... Its the first one that to my eye looks the business, do not know why....

Will be interesting in seeing one next time I am at a show...

Also on there table for 35 foot boat (9kg) comes in 1 kg lighter than Fortress. Reading thread with interest, looking forward to forum feed back...
 
How about this for service ?

A reply just in from JK hisself.


"However, we are now making a modification to the anchor which you suggest, fitting a bridge between the tips of the half flukes. We has confirmed that this has no effect on the anchor performance."

Seems to make pragmatic sense, if you want to prevent the flukes jamming into a chain or cable.
 
Its unusual to have such a tame anchor thread, the first in years, it must merit fostering!

I correspond with JK on anchors and sadly JK is not a member of YBW, though I suggested he might like to give it a go!

But he made some interesting comment on this current thread and I precis:

He apologies that the images on the website are not upto date with the bridge across the slot of the flukes but that's being worked on. One item that will be added to the website is a declaration of steel shank quality. Apparently KA is built with a RQT 901 material, which is the next grade up from ASTM 514 (aka Bisplate 80) which raises the bar further and makes those who keep their shank quality a secret - questionable? This steel must be expensive - which is one reason the anchor is not cheap. Steel quality is one issue - size of the shank also matters (and I have never seen one, so cannot comment).

I hope this link works for RQT 901

http://www.tatasteeleurope.com/file...ons/plates_publications/RQT 901 datasheet.pdf


JK makes the point, or stands by the statement - the KA is sufficiently efficient that if you were currently to consider what your ideal choice of anchor might be then you could buy a KA one size smaller (I appreciate this depends on the anchor sizings - but you get the idea). JK is a man of some academic authority and if he makes a claim his anchor is so good then to me, it merits serious consideration (though he has joined the world of commerce now with maybe different rules to academia) - as anything that good raises the bar.

Jonathan
 
webcraft said:
.
I emailed to info@ last Sunday re. prices etc and haven't heard back.
- W
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I had a response to my second query, copied below....

....I must apologise for not replying to your enquiry about 9 and 13 kg Knox Anchors. Sadly I have no record of your enquiry. But thank you for your persistance!

We have both 9 kg and 13 kg Knox Anchors in stock for immediate delivery. To place an order please contact Knox Anchors directly at Knox Anchors,, c/o Metaflake, Unit 2, Station Road, Anstruther, KY10 3JA, Tel:01333 313 420. The prices (including carriage and packing in the UK) are £310 for the 9 kg KA and £400 for the 13 kg KA. We also have 18 kg models in stock at £550.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Yours, John H. Knox
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I trust this may assist.
 
This is my 18kg Knox: -

8644810238_ab81120c78.jpg
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Just fitted it, the CQR fitted the stem head perfectly, so I have some work to do to make the Knox secure. I can lift this with one hand and move it around easily, compare this to the 60 lb (27 kg) CQR which required two hands to lift and was a very awkward shape.
 
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BlowingOldBoots said:
This is my 18kg Knox: -

8644810238_ab81120c78.jpg
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Just fitted it, the CQR fitted the stem head perfectly, so I have some work to do to make the Knox secure. I can lift this with one hand and move it around easily, compare this to the 60 lb (27 kg) CQR which required two hands to lift and was a very awkward shape.
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Looks the business, now all we need do is keep our fingers crossed for weather to entice you out to use it!

Jonathan
 
Neeves said:
Looks the business, now all we need do is keep our fingers crossed for weather to entice you out to use it!

Jonathan
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I nearly always anchor when I am out, so next month (I am away from home at the moment), I'll be anchoring and giving it plenty of welly on the engine.
 
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