Swiss army knife skipper

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Sailingsaves

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After talking about knives in scuttlebutt, I was surprised to see this at £32.

http://shop.topboats.com/tienda/acc...skipper-azul?gclid=CNvMnPvMt78CFdOhtAodfQ8A5g

Personally I 'd rather have these:
http://www.victorinox.com/ch/produc...s-Army-Knives-91-mm/Expedition-Kit/1.8741.AVT

especially if it came with as it comes with a lifetime guarantee (electronics only guaranteed for 2 years alas).

Not sure it would beat my leatherman wave, but I have a simpler swiss army knife and it keeps a much keener edge and is 31 years old now and still in excellent condition, so maybe it would.

This leatherman seems ok too:
http://www.absolute-snow.co.uk/V/Le...xide-(74502)?gclid=CM_5q9TOt78CFWETwwodE5QA0A

This looks better - in my dreams.

http://shop.topboats.com/tienda/accesorios/navajas_cuchillos/multiusos-leatherman/leatherman-mut-eod

Anyone that sharpens their own knives, do you go with the usual 20 degree angle, or do you go down to 12 degrees?

I am going to make up some tools today, one set to sharpen at 20 degrees and one at 12 degrees and see what works out best and how long knife keeps its edge at such angles.
 
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Hmm, now that does sound like a good idea. Virtually every boat I go on has blunt knives. Be them in the galley or in the cockpit. An easy to use and effective sharpener with the cutting angle at about 22º would be a boon to all.

Simes
 
Simes said:
Hmm, now that does sound like a good idea. Virtually every boat I go on has blunt knives. Be them in the galley or in the cockpit. An easy to use and effective sharpener with the cutting angle at about 22º would be a boon to all.

Simes
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"Rapala" fish 'n fillet knife sharpener at £1.63 from ebay might help.

We dont have many sharp knives on our boat.

I suspect that is why first mate still has all her fingers!

I have two-a Skipper and an Italian job that is REALLY sharp, but both kept out of FM way......................
 
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rotrax said:
"Rapala" fish 'n fillet knife sharpener at £1.63 from ebay might help.

We dont have many sharp knives on our boat.

I suspect that is why first mate still has all her fingers!

I have two-a Skipper and an Italian job that is REALLY sharp, but both kept out of FM way......................
Click to expand...

I bought one of these at £1.69 some time ago:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/400503414817?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

Also on ebay for £0.89 with other sellers. It is ok for quick sharpening, carbide then polish with the ceramic. These are set for 20 degrees. Just remember to lightly draw knife through. I learned the hard way by cutting a groove through my first ceramic one. Edge does not last long though which is why I am experimenting with the different angles.

I am making a cheap little device to maintain the angle constantly when I use my oil stone, then strop knife on leather and polish on glass.

I was wondering if anyone had tried an angle other than 20 degrees and had any advice?

Most people agree that a blunt knife is more dangerous than a sharp one.

This is my 30 yr old swiss army knife. They have the cheek to call it "Spartan"

http://www.victorinox.com/ch/produc...iginal-Swiss-Army-Knives-91-mm/Spartan/1.3603

I think safety knives are the way to go on boats with a few fixed open blades for occasions where a safety knife won't cut it (pun intended)

EDIT my Opinel (carbide blade not s/s) just arrived in the post. The forum has stated for years that these are super knives.

I bought it to examine it as see what fuss was about. It is the only knife I have ever seen without a bevel edge !

Even the razor blades and stanley blades I have been experimenting with have bevel edges.

Very interesting.

Means I have to find out the correct way of sharpening this type of knife now. And yes it does have a sharp edge. The opinel website has a video showing the knives being made and a lady just runs the blade through a machine. Really interesting.
 
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Sailingsaves said:
After talking about knives in scuttlebutt, I was surprised to see this at £32.

http://shop.topboats.com/tienda/acc...skipper-azul?gclid=CNvMnPvMt78CFdOhtAodfQ8A5g

Personally I 'd rather have these:
http://www.victorinox.com/ch/produc...s-Army-Knives-91-mm/Expedition-Kit/1.8741.AVT

especially if it came with as it comes with a lifetime guarantee (electronics only guaranteed for 2 years alas).

Not sure it would beat my leatherman wave, but I have a simpler swiss army knife and it keeps a much keener edge and is 31 years old now and still in excellent condition, so maybe it would.

This leatherman seems ok too:
http://www.absolute-snow.co.uk/V/Le...xide-(74502)?gclid=CM_5q9TOt78CFWETwwodE5QA0A

This looks better - in my dreams.

http://shop.topboats.com/tienda/accesorios/navajas_cuchillos/multiusos-leatherman/leatherman-mut-eod

Anyone that sharpens their own knives, do you go with the usual 20 degree angle, or do you go down to 12 degrees?

I am going to make up some tools today, one set to sharpen at 20 degrees and one at 12 degrees and see what works out best and how long knife keeps its edge at such angles.
Click to expand...

Their boat is based at my marina :

https://www.victorinox.com/ch/content/in_action_COM/sc_in_action_katamaran
 
Rigger Mortice said:
A pocket knife, a bread knife and one or two knives in the galley. I can't see any need for more on a boat.
Click to expand...

On my HR we have kitchen knives for food only, but each crew member has a curved, sheathed safety knife in a pocket at all times plus a small divers knife in a secure sheath with serrated blade for cutting anything big including anything that may wrap around underside of boat. We all have a divers knife (with no pointy bit) in secure sheath at helm too.
Nostradamas in his Oyster had winch trouble when the electric button failed a while ago. If it had gone pear shaped and everyone was running below decks for a knife instead of pulling it out of their pocket could have been nasty.
 
The larger Swiss army knives are useful but not something to carry in your trouser pocket unless you want to attract the ladies.

Something like this is much more practical possibly with the serrated knife as well
8842223386654_SAK_1_3603__S1_45650_eps_1.jpg
 
savageseadog said:
The larger Swiss army knives are useful but not something to carry in your trouser pocket unless you want to attract the ladies.

Something like this is much more practical possibly with the serrated knife as well
8842223386654_SAK_1_3603__S1_45650_eps_1.jpg
Click to expand...

That's the one I have. On to my second version as the first has now been fitted with the stealth mode and can't be found. Do need to keep more accessible but with young kids on board we have to trade off risk of rope getting caught with risk of children undertaking surgery on each other.
 
Sailingsaves said:
After talking about knives in scuttlebutt, I was surprised to see this at £32.

http://shop.topboats.com/tienda/acc...skipper-azul?gclid=CNvMnPvMt78CFdOhtAodfQ8A5g

Personally I 'd rather have these:
http://www.victorinox.com/ch/produc...s-Army-Knives-91-mm/Expedition-Kit/1.8741.AVT

especially if it came with as it comes with a lifetime guarantee (electronics only guaranteed for 2 years alas).

Not sure it would beat my leatherman wave, but I have a simpler swiss army knife and it keeps a much keener edge and is 31 years old now and still in excellent condition, so maybe it would.

This leatherman seems ok too:
http://www.absolute-snow.co.uk/V/Le...xide-(74502)?gclid=CM_5q9TOt78CFWETwwodE5QA0A

This looks better - in my dreams.

http://shop.topboats.com/tienda/accesorios/navajas_cuchillos/multiusos-leatherman/leatherman-mut-eod

Anyone that sharpens their own knives, do you go with the usual 20 degree angle, or do you go down to 12 degrees?

I am going to make up some tools today, one set to sharpen at 20 degrees and one at 12 degrees and see what works out best and how long knife keeps its edge at such angles.
Click to expand...

I use a variety of sharpeners. I have a Lanskey kit which does 30, 25, 20 and 17 degrees; if they recommend 17 for razors, 12 is too much, probably. I'm now playing with a Spyderco Triangle Sharp Maker, which has an edge angle of 40 degrees (20 each side). Both will give an edge that you can actually shave with, given a good knife steel. The latter is better for serrated blades.
 
As an aside, I always carry a Swiss Army knife-have done for 40 years.

Last Saturday while going through security at Malta's Airport I realised I had not packed it in my hold bag.

As it is in my pocket at the moment I have lost a little faith in Airport Security.

I unfolded my wallet, placed it inside, put my belt buckle on top of the wallet and kept my fingers crossed.

I need not have worried. As my plastic box of stuff went through the X-Ray operator was not looking at the screen, but at a collegue.

She was a bit tasty...........................
 
I was fortunate enough to receive this Alinghi Swiss sailing knife as a birthday present a few years ago (thanks son!).

Purpose designed its a great knife to have on board, and obviously has a high sentimental value in my case. The blade is so sharp its intimidating and as a consequence I am always extra careful.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wenger-Sui1-Alinghi-Sailing-Knife/dp/B002YJB0KO
 
silver-fox said:
I was fortunate enough to receive this Alinghi Swiss sailing knife as a birthday present a few years ago (thanks son!).

Purpose designed its a great knife to have on board, and obviously has a high sentimental value in my case. The blade is so sharp its intimidating and as a consequence I am always extra careful.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wenger-Sui1-Alinghi-Sailing-Knife/dp/B002YJB0KO
Click to expand...

I've got one of those but it is unfortunately let down a little by the Mickey Mouse pliers and pathetic screw driver on the handle.
 
Well I will stick my neck and and say that I think this is all a bit of a ...... ie stuff for dreamers. I have never bought a knife. Sure they are great for presents or trophies . I do have quite a few. Many of the best I have I have found in the water near my boat. Diving or fishing knives. A popular SCUBA training area. As for these all in one knife/gadgets. I would rather have the proper tool to hand ie pliers or screw driver. Even then I use cheepies becuase the more expensive a tool is the more inclined it is to leap over into the water.
So yes I have a nice Leatherman somneone gave me but it is far too good to take on the boat. So it never gets used. More of an ornament.
Anyway regarding knives I reckon a kitchen knife can be as good as any for what you might want. Although as I said earlier I have almost never used a knife in anger on the boat and anyone who cuts one of my sheets will be thrown overboard anyway. olewill
 
William_H said:
Well I will stick my neck and and say that I think this is all a bit of a ...... ie stuff for dreamers. I have never bought a knife. Sure they are great for presents or trophies . I do have quite a few. Many of the best I have I have found in the water near my boat. Diving or fishing knives. A popular SCUBA training area. As for these all in one knife/gadgets. I would rather have the proper tool to hand ie pliers or screw driver. Even then I use cheepies becuase the more expensive a tool is the more inclined it is to leap over into the water.
So yes I have a nice Leatherman somneone gave me but it is far too good to take on the boat. So it never gets used. More of an ornament.
Anyway regarding knives I reckon a kitchen knife can be as good as any for what you might want. Although as I said earlier I have almost never used a knife in anger on the boat and anyone who cuts one of my sheets will be thrown overboard anyway. olewill
Click to expand...

If you're doing rope-work (splicing, fancy knotting or whatever), a really (shaving) sharp knife is essential; a kitchen knife won't really hack it (or maybe it will hack it!). However, I agree that knives with "tools" on them are fun toys rather than realistic replacements for the proper tool. The only exception I'd make is that a spike and a shackle key can be handy on a knife.

However, knives with tools can come into their own on rare occasions. I was once on field-work in the Arctic, and we had equipment to assemble - electronics, metal racking and a wooden enclosure that had all been shipped in a "knocked down" condition. When we came to assemble it, it turned out that the tool kit had been left behind! My stainless steel clasp knife with a screwdriver blade, shackle key and a spike was about 50% of the tools that we managed to scrape together, and we managed to assemble everything with it and a couple of spanners. The guy who forgot to pack the toolkit wasn't popular, though - and it wasn't me!
 
These handy gadgets should be named Master of None any seasoned wine drinker would never use the cork screw unless as a last resort the type called Waiters Friend is far superior pocket sized and comes with small knife blade and bottle opener and cost from £1 also a good knife is only as good as the grip and most of these are less than adequate. A lot of the equipment on board is heavy so requires proper tools and if I had to vote for the most useful small gadget Id go with the Dremel but of course no good without juice.
 
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