Recommendations for sailing knife

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desertguy88

Joined
May 5, 2004
Messages
7
I have an SOG Vision, but I'm afraid the water will ruin it. Can anyone recommend a good sailing knife? I think a combo straight/serrated blade would be best for performing a variety of different tasks. Not overly concerned with price as long as its not outrageous.
 
GarageBoy said:
BM H20.
Click to expand...

I concur, this is probably your best bet for sailing. A fixed blade is quick to grab and use in an emergency, and no fumbling trying to open a folder especially with wet hands.

My other thought if you must get a folder....Talonite -N- Titanium are non corrosive (i.e. TNT) :D But I would sure hate to drop it!

But seriously, here are more details on the Benchmade.

bench_100h2o.jpg


Benchmade River/Dive Knife

NEW! A reality of performance fueled by the incessant exposure to liquid assets in an otherwise dry world for some.
H1 steel is impervious to the elements and 100-percent corrosion resistant.
Blade design is sharp enough to cut, yet blunt enough to be predictable. Partial serrations ravage rope or fibrous materials with ease.
Handle slabs are machine sculpted to provide sufficient grip without overcrowding of space.
Sheath design escalates performance to optimum levels with a unique three-point secure system and lash-tab clip attachment.
Get out, get wet and release the amphibious urge!

Features of the 100SH2O River/Dive
Blade Length: 3.25"
Blade Thickness: 0.12"
Blade Material: H1
Blade Hardness: 58-60
Blade Style: Bull Nose
Weight: 4oz.
Clip: Metal Clip (sold seperately)
Lock Mechanism: Fixed
Overall Length: 7.5"
Closed Length: 7.5"
Sheath Material: Kydex® Fitted

Choose from these models
100SH2O- Fixed blade/ComboEdge/YELLOW HANDLE/Kydex fitted sheath
100SH2OBLK- Fixed blade/ComboEdge/BLACK HANDLE/Kydex fitted sheath
 
We have Benchamde 100SH20's fitted to our Inshore Rescue Boats (thanks to me ;) ).
They have performed well so far as our knives suffer from the worst environment possible - out in cold sea spray, back to the boat house, out in cold sea spray, back to the boat house.
Not many of the guys look after them like I do. They should be rinsed in fresh water on return to station. The Sentry Solutions Marine Tuff Cloth is great for marine products.

If you're considering a folder, check out the Spyderco Salt I. This has the excellent H1 steel also.
(I believe that a new, Endura sized, Salt is coming out in the summer called the Pacific Salt)
 
I've got one of the Myerchin fixed blade knives + spike. I don't know how well the knife will stand up to long term use near the water (I'm just a wannabe right now), but the spike is excellent. :D Only thing I don't like about that Benchmade is that it's based on the Nimravus Cub handle, and I always thought that felt too small in my hands, but it's apparently a popular knife.

edited to add...

Practical Sailor tested various folding knives for sailing use and rated the Boye knives #1. They also rated a Benchmade AFCK pretty highly, for that matter.
 
Here's another vote for the Spydie Salt. It seems it was made to meet the very needs you have expressed.
 
Get something with a lanyard hole. Unless you want to dive in after it.
 
David Boye makes a great knife. The design has been in refinement for many years. He grinds a great edge; the knife is worth the money for the great grind alone. His knife has a much longer track record than any other blade suggested. It now comes with a marlin spike/key, just the thing for a sailor.
 
The sailors that manned the commercial sailing vessels favored belt-carry blades of moderate length for fast deployment in emergency line-clearing situations (I'm not THAT old. Reference is "The Ashley Book of Knots").

For ordinary line-maintenance, an inexpensive Camillus US Navy Marlin Spike folder is adequate.

Damn! That Benchmade H2O is a stunning knife!
 
I've had the spyderco Salt-1 for a few weeks now. I'm wondering where the catch is with H1 steel. It can be got atom splitting sharp, it holds an edge more than adequately and it just doesn't rust. What? will it crumble into dust at the stroke of midnight or something?

The only problem I've had with the Salt is that it is a bit too dainty (delica-ish) for me. But this is more of a comfort preference than an actual functional limitation. It still cuts fine, I've used it to hack through some big chunks of nylon rope with no problems.

I suspect that the proposed larger Pacific Salt will be the first of many blades made from H1.
 
The catch is that H1 isn't as good as some of the superhypermegaridiculous-end steels, like S30V, D2, M2, etc...but it's still an excellent steel.

Edit: Looking at the steel charts, it appears it has only .15%-.35% carbon...something I can't really believe. It is definitely less carbon that usual steels, but I think the large amounts of alloying materials helps. Anyway, it should be able to stand up to a fair amount of abuse just fine.
 
Get the Benchmade 100SH20. The one with the yellow handle is the one I've been looking at.
 
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