Ideal sailor's knife
 

On 07 Jan 2005 01:24:54 GMT, (MLapla4120) wrote:

1. glow in the dark handle
2. floats
3. locking marlinspike
4. blade half serrated and half smooth
5. opens with one hand
6. place for lanyard
7. can be held by one's teeth
8. easy to open sheath
9. locking shackle wrench

what do you think? where would I get one?


Try Wichard

http://www.wichard.com/catalogue/cat...0&SSFAMILLE3=0

I do not think they have one that all of your criteria.

Mine does not float, needs two hands, but does the rest.

Jack

__________________________________________________
Jack Dale
Swiftsure Sailing Academy
Director/ISPA and CYA Instructor
http://www.swiftsuresailing.com
__________________________________________________

"MLapla4120" wrote in message
...
1. glow in the dark handle
2. floats
3. locking marlinspike
4. blade half serrated and half smooth
5. opens with one hand
6. place for lanyard
7. can be held by one's teeth
8. easy to open sheath
9. locking shackle wrench

what do you think? where would I get one?

That's quite a wish list... I make due with following:
http://ca.binnacle.com/online/produc...ept%5Fid=17070
and
http://ca.binnacle.com/online/produc...ept%5Fid=17070
and a Shrade Tough Tool

Wichard makes one that satisfies all those requirements
except for the floating part.

Doug
s/v Callista

"MLapla4120" wrote in message
...
1. glow in the dark handle
2. floats
3. locking marlinspike
4. blade half serrated and half smooth
5. opens with one hand
6. place for lanyard
7. can be held by one's teeth
8. easy to open sheath
9. locking shackle wrench

what do you think? where would I get one?

MLapla4120 wrote:
1. glow in the dark handle
2. floats
3. locking marlinspike
4. blade half serrated and half smooth
5. opens with one hand
6. place for lanyard
7. can be held by one's teeth
8. easy to open sheath
9. locking shackle wrench

what do you think? where would I get one?

Strange - the ability to hold a good edge is pretty high on my list.

I'm not sure about floating - I would think that a knife dropped
overboard underway would be lost even if it floats. If you tend to drop
tools at the dock you should use cheap tools. Perhaps if you didn't
carry it in your mouth? Most floating knives are "survival" knives,
not well suited for rigging work.

My newest knife doesn't have a locking shackle key - I thought that
would be a problem, but you only need to apply force in one direction.
I like the non-locking because its easier to fold. Some knives have a
hole in the blade as a shackle key - this seems handy but rather dangerous.

Another issue is non-ferrous, although there are only a few that can
hold a good edge and not affect a compass.

I've ended up having a variety of knives - a quality pocket carry, a
large rigging knife that usually stays by the companionway, several
cheap serrated blades stashed in the chain locker and cockpit rope
locker, etc. I'm still looking for a good knife for curring away fouled
fishing gear from the props and rudder.

Sailing knives are, for the most part, overrated and overpriced. I've been
using a simple four-blade stainless camp knife made by Camden for over 30
years. This knife has been literally through the "wars" (I got while in
Vietnam...) and, like that famous Timex and the Engergizer Bunny, the sucker
just keeps on ticking....

I think the problem is that there is no "ideal" knife, anymore than there's
an ideal watch or foul weather gear.

We're likely heading out into a gale tomorrow. I'm going to find a way to
fix this knife to my foul weather gear:

http://www.kayakfishingstuff.com/Mer...tegory_Code=NS

What I like the most is that it locks securely but can be easily released
with one hand.

Comments are welcome. I've also been struggling to find a watch with dual
use for sailing and diving but can't seem to find one-size-fits-all.


"MLapla4120" wrote in message
...
1. glow in the dark handle
2. floats
3. locking marlinspike
4. blade half serrated and half smooth
5. opens with one hand
6. place for lanyard
7. can be held by one's teeth
8. easy to open sheath
9. locking shackle wrench

what do you think? where would I get one?

On Fri, 07 Jan 2005 09:41:55 -0500, Jeff Morris
wrote:


Strange - the ability to hold a good edge is pretty high on my list.

I'm not sure about floating - I would think that a knife dropped
overboard underway would be lost even if it floats. If you tend to drop
tools at the dock you should use cheap tools. Perhaps if you didn't
carry it in your mouth? Most floating knives are "survival" knives,
not well suited for rigging work.

My newest knife doesn't have a locking shackle key - I thought that
would be a problem, but you only need to apply force in one direction.
I like the non-locking because its easier to fold. Some knives have a
hole in the blade as a shackle key - this seems handy but rather dangerous.

Another issue is non-ferrous, although there are only a few that can
hold a good edge and not affect a compass.

I've ended up having a variety of knives - a quality pocket carry, a
large rigging knife that usually stays by the companionway, several
cheap serrated blades stashed in the chain locker and cockpit rope
locker, etc. I'm still looking for a good knife for curring away fouled
fishing gear from the props and rudder.

Well, as long as we're quibbling, I prefer a sheath knife. When your
nuts are caught in the mainsheet, it's no time to be fishing around in
your pocket for a clasp knife and then trying to get it open.. I have
three or four decent clasp knives I use a lot, but when the docklines
come off, the sheath knife goes on. The sheath also carries a
marlinspike with a shackle key and a pair of needlenose pliers. I've
had it for 20 years.

__________________________________________________ __________
Glen "Wiley" Wilson usenet1 SPAMNIX at world wide wiley dot com
To reply, lose the capitals and do the obvious.

Take a look at cpRepeater, my NMEA data integrator, repeater, and
logger at http://www.worldwidewiley.com/

My preferences in a "sailor knife" are pretty much the same as yours. I can
do without the glow in the dark and doubt that we will find one that floats.

The ABI rigging knife comes pretty close on all the other features.

http://www.newjsi.com/detail.aspx?ID=1193

And at the current price of $4.95 I'd be willing to forgo some of the
others. The plastic coated model would be easier on the teeth.

However, my preference is for a plane blade without the serrations. My own
personal boat knife is identical to this one but without the serrations. I
have been looking for additional knives for to offer to my crew (when they
show up without a knife.)

I also prefer a pocket knife to the sheath. Can't really give you a good
reason since I almost always have a belt on.. I think I'm often forgetful
about threading it onto my belt.. Also a sheath knife can often snag lines
while going aloft, keep coat tail hiked up and is uncomfortable to sleep
with.

I do like the lanyard bail on my knife and usually add one just to go around
my wrist when going aloft or working over the side.

I'm thinking of ordering a dozen or so of these
ABI knives and having the boat name engraved or etched onto them for gifts
to my favored/frequent crew members..

My opinion, FWIW.

Steve
s/v Good Intentions

"MLapla4120" wrote in message
...
1. glow in the dark handle
2. floats
3. locking marlinspike
4. blade half serrated and half smooth
5. opens with one hand
6. place for lanyard
7. can be held by one's teeth
8. easy to open sheath
9. locking shackle wrench

what do you think? where would I get one?

I understand that a serrated edge is the only thing that will
cut kevlar line.

Doug
s/v Callista

"Dave" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 7 Jan 2005 14:54:56 -0800, "Steve" said:

The ABI rigging knife comes pretty close on all the other features.

I have one of those. Doesn't hold an edge very well, and the serrated edge
makes it less effective in cutting line than my old one that had a plain
edge.

On Fri, 07 Jan 2005 18:01:50 GMT, "Glen \"Wiley\" Wilson"
wrote:



Well, as long as we're quibbling, I prefer a sheath knife. When your
nuts are caught in the mainsheet, it's no time to be fishing around in
your pocket for a clasp knife and then trying to get it open.. I have
three or four decent clasp knives I use a lot, but when the docklines
come off, the sheath knife goes on. The sheath also carries a
marlinspike with a shackle key and a pair of needlenose pliers. I've
had it for 20 years.


My Wichard is attached to a coiled lanyard and stored inside my
inflatable PDF.

For everyday use I have a multi tool (the popular one) and a
flashlight (with red lens) in a handy pouch on the back of the
harness. Both have wrist straps.

I would rather have pliers that a shackle key. Try tightening a screw
shackle between the mainsheet and the traveller. It does not work. I
know.

Jack

Brien Alkire wrote:

We're likely heading out into a gale tomorrow ...

Why is that?

--
Good luck and good sailing.
s/v Kerry Deare of Barnegat
http://kerrydeare.home.comcast.net/

I agree about the serrated edge and have told JSI and several vendor about
my personal disapproval.

In my experience, there is no way to hand sharpen a blade with a serrated
edge..

If the intent is to cut Kevlar line, then they should sell a knife with a
separate blade for that purpose..

My opinion, FWIW.

Steve
s/v Good Intentions
"Dave" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 7 Jan 2005 14:54:56 -0800, "Steve" said:

The ABI rigging knife comes pretty close on all the other features.

I have one of those. Doesn't hold an edge very well, and the serrated edge
makes it less effective in cutting line than my old one that had a plain
edge.

I would suggest having a separate knife for Kevar. If it cannot be sharpened
then toss it out. But then if you are cutting that much Kevlar line then
a you can afford to buy a new knife now and then.

Doug
s/v CAllista

"Steve" wrote in message
...
I agree about the serrated edge and have told JSI and several vendor about
my personal disapproval.

In my experience, there is no way to hand sharpen a blade with a serrated
edge..

If the intent is to cut Kevlar line, then they should sell a knife with a
separate blade for that purpose..

My opinion, FWIW.

Steve
s/v Good Intentions
"Dave" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 7 Jan 2005 14:54:56 -0800, "Steve" said:

The ABI rigging knife comes pretty close on all the other features.

I have one of those. Doesn't hold an edge very well, and the serrated
edge
makes it less effective in cutting line than my old one that had a plain
edge.

......

9. locking shackle wrench


Harry Krause wrote
What? Without a beer bottle opener? Useless.

shackel wrench as shown here works:
http://ca.binnacle.com/online/produc...ept%5Fid=17070

That's the same knife I have been using for the past 10 years. I got about
10 of them at West Marine (with their logo on the handle) for about $8-9
each. I wish I could find that deal again. $28 is a bit more than I want to
spend for a 'loaner' knife.

As I stated earlier, I try to have a few extra knives onboard for crew
members who "show up" without a knife. I only have my own personal one left
now.. Nothing wrong with it but sooner or later something will happen to
it..

My kids have given me a number of nice knives over the years, but I always
find them to heavy for the pocket or the sheath is a PITA (and other reasons
previously stated).

Steve
s/v Good Intentions


"captkeywest" wrote in message
oups.com...
.....

9. locking shackle wrench


Harry Krause wrote
What? Without a beer bottle opener? Useless.

shackel wrench as shown here works:
http://ca.binnacle.com/online/produc...ept%5Fid=17070

Give up the "floats" requirement and add "non-magnetic" and "will never
rust" and you will find the Boye cobalt knife to be the best
(www.boyeknives.com). Expensive, yes, right up until you need it to cut a
line in a hurry or find your old one distorting compass readings ...


"MLapla4120" wrote in message
...
1. glow in the dark handle
2. floats
3. locking marlinspike
4. blade half serrated and half smooth
5. opens with one hand
6. place for lanyard
7. can be held by one's teeth
8. easy to open sheath
9. locking shackle wrench

what do you think? where would I get one?

Someone else mentioned "non-magnetic".. I should then add that these knives
are not always non-magnet, even is they are called "Stainless Steel".. I
have found most all of the components in mine to be attracted to a magnet.

Steve
s/v Good Intentions

Steve wrote:
Someone else mentioned "non-magnetic".. I should then add that these knives
are not always non-magnet, even is they are called "Stainless Steel".. I
have found most all of the components in mine to be attracted to a magnet.

Steve
s/v Good Intentions


When they're made out of cobalt and titanium, or even ceramic, they're
non-magnetic. Some stainless also is, but it won't hold an edge very long.

On Fri, 07 Jan 2005 18:01:50 GMT, "Glen \"Wiley\" Wilson"
wrote:

When your
nuts are caught in the mainsheet, it's no time to be fishing around in
your pocket for a clasp knife and then trying to get it open..

Words to live by, to be sure. G

R.

Subject: Ideal sailor's knife
From: "captkeywest"

Harry Krause wrote
What? Without a beer bottle opener? Useless.

shackel wrench as shown here works:

Every knike is a beer opener. That's what the back of the blade is for.
If you can't open a beer with your knife you ain't much of a sailor/boater.

Capt. Bill