River knife for PFD

raindog101

raindog101

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Jan 22, 2007
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My wife got me interested in this topic when she asked me for a recommendation on a river/boating knife for her sister. I had to look around a bit, as this is a category of knives I'm not normally interested in. This is what I came up with:
http://www.gerbergear.com/Outdoor/Knives/River-Shorty-Green_31-002645

Anybody out there have some other recommendations? Should be a fixed blade that can be attached to a PFD, price $100 or less. If it were a folder we're talking about, I figure it's hard to go wrong with a Spyderco Salt or Delica. But the dive knife world seems to consist of makers that I haven't heard of, using materials that I'm not familiar with.
 
I have a spyderco Salt knife in a kydex sheath attached to my vest. I think I got the sheath from Mike Sastra at a gun show. I really like the setup. I know its not a fixed blade, but you don't even notice it's there until you need it. I have also never take the knife off of it and it still looks brand new.
 
All of these knives have good N680 corrosion resistant steel:
Benchmade Dive 110H2O Knife fixed <$90
Benchmade 111H2O folder $110
Benchmade 551H2O Orange Griptilian $114 (I like this one)
Benchmade Lone Wolf Landslide Orange $49
Benchmade Lone Wolf Mini Landslide Orange $37 (I like this one)

Just go to Knifeworks and search N680 and it will come up.

Also, the Spyderco Salt 1 H1 steel folder $69
Spyderco Enuff Fixed H1 steel $105 (I like this one)
 
Nrs pilot, its a dive/rafting knife. I have one and for what it is designed to do, it works great.


Unsharpened swedge, 1/2 serrated, line cutter, bottle opener in handle (works great) and more on it. I think they are available online for 40or so for their lower end steel, 100or so for their titanium version. Atleast they used to have a Ti version.
 
I'm a long-time river and whitewater rat and I have two goto fixed blade knives for canoeing/kayaking---both for decades so they're tried and true.

First is my original Tekna Ocean Edge dive knife. It's still readily available, a classic and useful blade profile (it can be double edged if desired) and has one of the coolest locking box sheaths ever I've posted here a few times that it's also my favorite urban EDC fixed blade. I've carried it boot, belt, ankle, arm-strapped, neck....most versatile knife I own and made for water. Wonderful and useful knife anywhere.

The other is a 4" leuku with deep-carry sheath from J. Martinni knives. It's also happens to be one of my goto bush knives (the other being the 7" Martinni leuk I also own).

Anything over about a 4" blade worn on the outside becomes a nuisance in the canoe/kayak due to getting caught or scuffing on gunwhales, etc. I can't recommend either of these enough for the river. Both have worked perfectly for me.
 
I recall one fatality that occurred in northern Minnesota at a canoe camp many years ago, in the 1960s. A camp counselor on an extended canoe trip was being roped down a rapids. She got into some rough water and sliced the rope, cutting toward herself, but it parted suddenly and she stabbed herself in the throat. So a blunt tip may be advisable.
 
"That wouldn't work too well for fighting sharks, now would it?"

What kind of river do you boat on? :)

The Benchmade Dive 110H2O Knife comes highly recommended by canoe/kayakers on this and other forums. Most provide the same advice, no sharp tips, no double edges.
 
Ive carried one of those on my PFD for yrs and it works great. Mostly used for spreading peanut butter or opening a few clams when we go to R.I.-KV
 
If you want a compact, lightweight easy carrying fixed blade look at the Gryphon M10 from the Cutlery Shoppe. It comes with an excellent kydex sheath that allows it to be attached pretty much anywhere. The knife is very efficient, being "just big enough" but not "too big". VG10 is stain resistant enough for river water, especially when coated and in a self draining kydex sheath.

The M10 carries better, and will out cut any gimmicky "dive knife" I've used or handled. At $100 (the sheath alone would cost $50) it's a screaming deal.
 
FWIW, I have been very happy with my Benchmade 111 H2o folder. Add a sheath and a small lanyard, your good to go.
 
MatthewSB said:
If you want a compact, lightweight easy carrying fixed blade look at the Gryphon M10 from the Cutlery Shoppe. It comes with an excellent kydex sheath that allows it to be attached pretty much anywhere. The knife is very efficient, being "just big enough" but not "too big". VG10 is stain resistant enough for river water, especially when coated and in a self draining kydex sheath.

The M10 carries better, and will out cut any gimmicky "dive knife" I've used or handled. At $100 (the sheath alone would cost $50) it's a screaming deal.
Click to expand...

I hate those gimmicky dive knives too. :thumbup: :thumbup:

That Gryphon is nice. From looking I still prefer some of the differences on my Tekna rig, and the fact that it's ocean-rated, but that's subjective. The M10 is certainly one I'd consider if I were looking for another land knife. Hadn't seen it before.

OP take note of the Gryphon....it's up for half-price right now at the Cutlery Shop.
 
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Thanks guys for all the great suggestions. I like the Gryphon, but I would prefer less pointy, no double edge. It looks like it would work for a boot knife.
I wish they still made the Benchmade 110H20, but I guess it's discontinued? The Spyderco Caspian Salt too.:( The blunt tip sure seems like the way to go.
 
EChoil said:
I'm considering one of those for EDC. Is it too bulky?[/QUOTE


Depends upon what you do for a profession. I am in a medical office most of the time so it would not work as a EDC for me. A fire fighter I know thinks it is OK. If a full size Griptilian can

work for you, so can the 111H2o. The blade is a little bigger than the one on the Grip, but the handles are basicly the same size. It does feel quite different though. Weighs more than the

Grip too. Benchmade has another knife with the same style handle. I think it's called the Rift. Have you considered it?
Click to expand...
 
raindog101 said:
Thanks guys for all the great suggestions. I like the Gryphon, but I would prefer less pointy, no double edge. It looks like it would work for a boot knife.
I wish they still made the Benchmade 110H20, but I guess it's discontinued? The Spyderco Caspian Salt too.:( The blunt tip sure seems like the way to go.
Click to expand...

Discontinued?
Not to my knowledge. It would make sense though. They seem to really push the H20 Grip.

If you really want one and can't fine one anywhere drop me a line.
 
sabre cat said:
Discontinued?
Not to my knowledge. It would make sense though. They seem to really push the H20 Grip.

If you really want one and can't fine one anywhere drop me a line.
Click to expand...

Thanks, SC. I'm still mulling it over. I saw they were discontinued on the Benchmade website, but it seems they're still out there to find.
 
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