Advice for catamaran crew knife

Benchmade river knife

Benchmade water sports

the steel is marine grade... it won't rust and keeps it's edge.

The sheath holds the knife with a well made catch

The tip won't kill you before it saves your life. Opening a knife in an emergency may be time you don't have.

http://www.benchmade.com/products/product_list.aspx?category=38

Funny. I just got this in the email box:

He builds all of my rescue knives.

J

How about one of these bad boys?
http://www.benchmade.com/products/product_detail.aspx?model=5

I have this and got it for my skipper and friend. They are get, reasonable, and you won't cut yourself!
http://www.sailing-knives.com/acatalog/Magic_Marine_safety_knives.html#a10

I got mine from Mike at Layline.com

I haven't found one better yet, I use the lower one with a titanium marlinespike:

J

I use a gerber river shorty, blunt tip, serrated, sheath clips to pfd. I prefer one you don't have to open, for speed of use. Got mine thru REI, should be able to find it online.

Dave

Spyderco Atlantic Salt. Best rescue knife ever. Cuts through kevlar with no efforts.

Cool. Thanks for the advice everyone. Decision making time is next.

Anyone have experiance with the CRKT ABC Rescue Knife?

The Hammond A.B.C. E.R. CR2604ER is a Jim Hammond design whose name stands for “All Bases Covered.” The blunt-tipped A.B.C. E.R. is designed to fill all the needs of the scuba diver and whitewater enthusiast in a single knife. The bottom hollow ground Razor-Sharp edge is suited to fine cutting tasks. The spine incorporates a Triple-Point™ Serrated edge ideal for rapid rough cutting through cord, nets, fishing line, kelp, and for safe release of whitewater entanglements.

The combo and razor edge grinds are equal in length, starting at 0.75” from the blade tip, which ensures that the blunt point won’t pierce air compartments if accidentally dropped. It is also an indispensable work tool for swift water rescue teams, paramedics, and law enforcement.

The blade is a full-tang skeletonized design of high-carbon stainless steel. For excellent corrosion resistance, the steel is given a bright brushed finish. The finger choils are heavily friction grooved for sure grip.

The Zytel sheath with dual attachment panels and black stainless spring steel clip allows eight carry modes and countless variations. Black finish brass Chicago screws allow adjustment of the knife compression fit into the sheath. Equally important, they are used for a multitude of attachment orientations: on diving buoyancy compensators and pocket flaps, webbing, with dive leg straps, on PFDs, or with a neck cord.

I have a CRKT 1* (one butt to risk), This is my second CRKT, my first was a plane old M16-12. I love the feel of the knife and the second locking device

AutoLAWKS

, however these blades do not hold an edge very well at all. The Triple-Point™ Serrated edge does however stay very sharp. It may be that the steel on some of their other knives are better but, I am not sure I would buy another of this model.

Sam

I use a Wenoka by DEEP SEE . Nice blade regular and serrated with a strap hook. About $60.00 but a very nice knife.

Originally Posted by hobie18rich

I use a Wenoka by DEEP SEE . Nice blade regular and serrated with a strap hook. About $60.00 but a very nice knife.

That's pretty close to what I have...'cept I got the Titanium blade...I've seen too many stainless blades corrode in the salt (these days it's tought to get marine grade steel/electro-polished...it's all the cheaper, dull finished shite).

Points to keep in mind...you need to be able to access the knife with either hand and open it with one hand (that's why I prefer non-folding types). A buddy of mine that actually needed his knife in an emergency...trapped under tramp in capsize...advised to get a longer rather than shorter blade since cutting through the tramp goes much faster with more blade to saw with.

Another option is one of those Bearclaw type curved

knives

they are quite compact and can slice line & material (like seatbelts...Coast Guard guys where'em).

How and where do you guys carry your knives while sailing?

I've got a zipper pockett on the front of my life jacket that I put it in, wrapped in a long lanyard tied to the inside of the pockett, just in case I drop it. But don't forget to wash it with fresh water after every sail, wipe it dry, and spray it with WD 40 once in a while.

My left side, the case /sheath has a holder for straps. I just have my life jacket straps through th sheath.

I mount my knife sideways along my PFD's waist strap. The knife sheath has two screw mounts...I used a heated drill bit to melt two holes in the waist strap (nylon web) at the appropriate location. This way the knife is out of the way and resists catching on things. IWhen racing I'm usually wearing a lycra stretch top over everything, and it keeps the knifie accessible yet snag proof.

Thanks for the adice, I just ordered two of the Gerber Shorty knives for the wife and I.

Hi Group,
I used to have a small knife and sheath sewed to my PFD.
I now have a set of Sea Snips sissors in the PFD pocket.
They will cut through metal, and are easy to hold.
Regards
Ken

Hi, All. Thanks for everyones advice. We chose the Hammond ABC knife. Decision made on 1)duplicate blades (serrated and flat) 2) blunt edge at tip 3)Metal qualtiy (it is rated as a dive knife with diving straps) 4)Folder, we just feel safer witha folder, however understands the pros and cons.

Thanks again all.

I think this is a great idea and pland to get a couple