Which Knife?

I tried some long handled pruning shears the other day, side cut, they would not go through a 12mm rope, I think the anvil type would, you would need to test it. The local lifeboat used to carry a home made ripper, a stainless knife blade welded to a pole, with a crook welded to the blade rather like the top of a number 1, if the blade were serrated that would be ideal. (It could all be drilled and bolted rather than welded)


like this perhaps




P1050996.JPG



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Exactly that, does it work?

I made it a few years ago following your suggestion :)

I tried it with an old piece of rope in a port (well above 20mm dia, probably around 25-30mm) and it slices it in two without problems. Once the rope is caught inside the sharp "V" of the blades, just pull.
It's also fun with giant jelllyfish :D
Having two children aboard, it is a pain to stow it.


The OP talked about a rope around the prop, this thing will surely cut the rope and free the boat, but I can't see how it could be used to get rid of the rope from around the propeller/shaft, but I have not tried.
Mind you, if one manages to put the bladed "V" around the rope on the shaft, then just turning the shaft by hand or very slow forward blips, I have the impression the rope would not last more than a few minutes.

I bought the similar (though a lot smaller) hooked knife I showed on an earlier post.



Among the other weapons we had, these were used to free the boat from the floating islands on the tropical rivers. Not just accumulation of weed and straw, really floating islands up to 2m thick.
The tool in the middle is a blade which is sharpened both on its upper and lower rim, fitted to a wooden pole; just poke it and push-pull up and down and there you go.
Locally, the upper side is used for cutting cocoa fruits, the lower for coconuts.


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this is a video of a fishing boat nearby that gives an idea of the floating things

http://youtu.be/kTmiGPL_S5c
 
I shall see what i can do. SMP will try and whack the price up too....
how many want green rivers.... give me some idea of numbers and get back to me and i can get some in...
hang on, i best find out how much they are first...

I'd have one at the right price.
Colour = easy to see.
Looks like it might float.
Good, simple, locking sheath.
Good lanyard. Stainless carabiner.
Long blade = fewer cuts or strokes.
Pointed or flat blade at end not a problem.

No wonder you pro divers like them.

Most expensive site I found was 50 Euros. Cheapest was £20 (equivalent - it came from USA, so shipping made it expensive)

The force 4 post later on in this thread is not as good as the green River one (IMO) - blade too short, handle not simple enough (round enough), ergonomics with a knife handle is quite important, sheath too complicated.

But I'm not desperate. I'm keenly awaiting my other purchases and the Green River would be an additional luxury.

Did anyone here about the WWII chap that dived over the side of a battle ship (or destroyer - I'm not sure) to free something, maybe a prop wrapped with wire hawser. He used a mechanical device I think or an acetylene torch and it was so cold he chopped his arm off (but managed to free the tangle). Won a medal. It is a story I heard, so could be a myth. If true - very brave.
 
Am going to SIBs tomorrow and need to get a good sheaf knife.
I like to fix the sheaf to the back of the main cabin door so it always handy. It needs to be able to cut rope etc from the prop.

Any recommendations?

I know YM done a test recently but have given it away and can't remember the verdict.

You wont get one at SIBS i doubt but how about one of these

http://www.neemantools.com/en/products/wildlife-knives
 

That's exactly what I have on board. The sheath and knife is bolted just inside the companionway, so I can reach it from the cockpit. I have had to use it and it cuts through rope like a hot knife through butter.

When I was Bosun at my YC I equipped all the safety boats with the same type of knife, and I have used it to clear a prop on a safety boat, with ease.
 
I shall see what i can do. SMP will try and whack the price up too....
how many want green rivers.... give me some idea of numbers and get back to me and i can get some in...
hang on, i best find out how much they are first...

I would be interested in a Plastic handle and sheathed version.
 
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