Recommend me a good rigging knife for sail boat.

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kswis001

Joined
Sep 20, 2010
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I frequently sail a small hobie catamaran and last week had an incident where my harness got tangled up in some lines during a capsize and I was held underwater. My crew was able to swim underneath me and push up to keep my head above water while we figured out how to get me untangled. I frequently single hand the boat but was lucky I had a crew with me this time. If I was by myself, I probably wouldn't be here today. So I need a knife that will let me get out of a situation like this if I had to by myself.

Requirements:
1. Rust free in a saltwater environment. It will frequently be splashed and submerged in saltwater.
2. Can be attached to a life vest and be easily accessible in an emergency situation.
3. Has to be relatively unobtrusive on the vest so it wont get in the way while sailing.
4. Has to be able to cut through some fairly thick synthetic lines quickly. Hopefully in a single cut.
5. Something with a point that's not too sharp to limit the chance of injury cutting close to my body on a capsized boat in rough seas. (sheepsfoot blade?)
6. Bright colored handle so it is easily visible and can be found quickly.

Obviously serrated would be best for this intended purpose.

Which would be best, a folding knife with a clip, of a fixed knife with a sheath?

I dont want to spend more than about $150. The less, the better though.

A few I've been looking at are:
Benchmade 111SH2O (N680 blade)
Benchmade 551SH2O (X15TN blade)
Spyderco Salt Series (H1 blade) (Atlantic salt, pacific salt, salt saver, etc.)
Boye Cobalt folder (Dendritic Cobalt blade)

I dont know very much about knives so any help would be good. Any other recommendations would be appreciated.
 
I'd recommend any knife in the Spyderco Salt series. There are plenty of useful designs, H1 steel is excellent for your needs and the serrations are excellent.

Whether a folding knife or fixed blade one is best is something that only you can answer.

Personally, I consider fixed blades superior to folders in almost every area. But there are few H1 fixed blades: Caspian, Aqua Salt and Jumpmaster (there's another one, the Warrior, but it's a fighting knife). Out of those three my favourite is the Aqua Salt. It has been discontinued but can still be found at most on-line dealers for around $70-75 (it does have a sharp tip, though). I really like the Jumpmaster as well, but it's $160-170, more than twice the price of the Aqua Salt. I don't like the way the Caspian looks, but it might suit your needs (and it's available with a blunt tip).

Folding knives are better if you need to carry your knife discreetly, or want something compact that doesn't take up much space. There are several H1 folders that also make great EDC knives, so you can get more use out of your knife. The Salt 1 and Pacific Salt are quite versatile (basically, an H1 version of the Endura and Delica). If you want a sheepfoot blade, get an Atlantic Salt (available with bright yellow FRN handles).
 
I would get the Spyderco Atlantic. It has the H-1 which is rust proof and the yellow handle would make it easy for you to find. You can clip it on your life jacket with the attached clip. Great knife, owned one for a little while and it's amazing!
 
Get yourself a Spyderco Salt series in serrated edge and your good to go!



Glad your ok and welcome to the forums!
 
I sail an A-Class Cat and had to saw my harness off once..It hurts to saw an expensive trap harness but I guess it's better than drowning.

I carry a Saver Salt. I feel it's safer than the Atlantic, the Atlantic feels like too much edge to point at myself.

Mine stays clipped to my harness every time I'm out.
 
I would go with the spyderco in H1 myself, but modified- NO POINT on it. :eek:

Anyone who frequents the water alot will know why ;)
 
Buffalohump said:
Serrated Pacific Salt, no question.
Click to expand...

The Pacific Salt is, in my opinion, TERRIBLE for this application. There is a harness one wears on a trapeze equipped sailboat. If you can't release yourself from the steel trapeze wire, you have to cut the harness off. I would not want a huge, pointy knife like the Pacific pointed at my abdomen. Especially not with tired, cold, and nervous hands.
 
This Edge Brand 497 below is a true rigger's knife. I have one that's not nearly as clean as this one. It has a 3/16" thick, 3-3/4" full tang blade with a 3-3/8" cutting edge. Because of the short heavy blade and stout handle, you can really leverage this knife or bear down on it with no worry. It also won't hurt you. I don't know that you can actually find this knife now, but you might use the shape and size as a model to the knife you actually get.

1267513618-DSCN0093.JPG
 
What you are requesting is a recommendation for a rescue knife. A riggers knife usually includes a marlin spike for undoing knots and for splicing. One of Spyderco models in H1 should fit the bill for a rescue knife. I know that several people recommend a blunt tip model and while I appreciate their rationale, my personal preference is for the Tasman hawkbill
 
Boye Dendritic Cobalt Sailor's knife. Will cut the synthetic line and comes with a marlin spike so light you barely know its there. Will never rust and is non-magnetic so it won't interfere with your compass.
 
antonio_luiz said:
What you are requesting is a recommendation for a rescue knife. A riggers knife usually includes a marlin spike for undoing knots and for splicing. One of Spyderco models in H1 should fit the bill for a rescue knife. I know that several people recommend a blunt tip model and while I appreciate their rationale, my personal preference is for the Tasman hawkbill
Click to expand...

A marlinspike ON a knife is a useless marlinspike..unless you have duplicate knives.
 
I'd recommend one of the blunt-tip Salts, however just for variety I'll throw this in:

CR2510ER_xlarge_9511_full_70.jpg


CRKT Bear Claw: Blunted tip, orange safety handle, secure sheath (that you can attach to your life jacket/harness with zipties), and fully serrated blade. Can't say much about the steel though, seems a bit low grade to me. otherwise :thumbup:
 
I really like the idea of the Spyderco Salts but none of them feature a marlin spike. I would love to find such a caliber knife (superior quality, serrated & rust proof) with the spike only - don't want or need a multi-tool. If I could find such a knife that would be the one I would use & recommend to kswis001. I will look into the Boye Dendritic Cobalt Sailor's knife.
 
tanto27 said:
I would get the Spyderco Atlantic. It has the H-1 which is rust proof and the yellow handle would make it easy for you to find. You can clip it on your life jacket with the attached clip. Great knife, owned one for a little while and it's amazing!
Click to expand...

+1 :thumbup:

I've got one I use on my sailboat and it's the perfect knife for the job. ;)
 
I use to own a Meyerchin knife. they are nice blades, mine was a bit wieghty, but other than that a nice knife.

EDIT: I guess thats a +1 for post #3
 
Just went to the Boye web site :http://boyeknives.com/folders.cfm.
Their sheepsfoot blade seems perfect - though I hate the bright yellow, I guess that serves a purpose too. I'd add a photo but I don't know how to do that here. Anyway, kswis001 check it out- looks like a good one. A next spring purchase for me.
 
I don't really need a marlin spike for my boat. It has a pretty simple rig and I don't find myself untying knots very often. And when I do, Its usually a bowline or a figure 8 knot which are both very easy to untie even after being tensioned.

I just got a saver salt based on the recommendations above. It seems like the best fit for me. One hand opening, blunt point, serrated edge, yellow handle, rust proof, not too large, etc.

This was also the least expensive of the knives in my original post. I found one online for just a little bit over $50 shipped. Should have it in a couple days and I'll let you all know what I think when it gets here.

Thanks for the help! Maybe I'll turn into a knife addict like you guys yet! :p
 
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