A small knife for Kayaking?

Hey guys your suggestions are excellent!

I like the Mora Companion HD, I like the Gerber Shorty, I also like the Cold Steel Kobun, they are all reasonably priced. The Gryphon M10 looks amazing but I'm having trouble finding it, is it mfg by another company? One thing about the Mora, how well will it perform in emergencies? I have heard both good and bad about Moras in general so that's why I ask. However I do like the grippy handle. Is it full tang? I have had good experience with Cold Steel so I know their products will hold up well.
 
The Mora Companion is a great knife (got one). It may be the knife that you keep in your dry bag however rather than on your person for emergencies kayaking. It is not a full tang knife, but it is plenty tough and the plastic sheath has pretty good retention. You can find pictures where people have cut the handles into a cross section to see the tang if you look. I had recommended the Mora in another kayak thread, but the more I think about it, I think a more blunt knife is appropriate for me on my person for safety reasons and use the Mora at camp. I like the convenience of a folder, but pockets are limited and when you need a knife kayaking (such as the Gerber River Shorty), you may well need it very quickly and you may be in the water when you go fishing for it. I think I would prefer a yellow handle on it versus black or green. I am going to order one of these for myself. I want to see what other colors it comes in first. Red is not a good as it is the same as black in the water at any depth. Green actually shows up better in the water than red.
 
22-rimfire said:
The Gerber River Shorty looks like it would be a great knife to have available for kayaking. May have to pick one up.... but it's a Gerber.
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There are lots of knives out there of this type. Here's one by NRS:

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Well, thank you, but I just ordered one from WM for store pickup in about a week. No hurry. It was only about $22 with tax. Not going to make a big thing about this one as it will likely only be used when I am in my kayak.

Get 'er done and move on... :D
 
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Long time whitewater and river rat here. First, I'd never have a folder as a primary knife when kayaking or canoeing...personally, sailing too---too many emergencies can arise for needing to cut or pierce quickly. There are many suitable fixed blades out there. The only folder I 'carry' on such a trip is a SAK. I usually have a folder packed somewhere as a backup blade, however.

IMO the best knife is the original Tekna dive knife, nearly as much due to its sheath as the knife. It's a classic design, well proven, maintenance free (i.e. not a chance of rust), takes a good edge and is so versatile I often EDC it as well. It also lends itself to customization by offering a great handle design for a paracord wrap if you want.

The knife Matthew mentioned earllier, the Gryphon M-10 would be my only other choice as a dedicated river//kayaking knife. It is just a superb KNIFE. The Tekna is slightly more compact and carryable with a bit more utilitarian blade design. And one of the coolest attach-anywhere sheaths out there.

Either knife should be appreciated by anyone involved in water recreation. One's just a bit larger....
 
I use a mora rescue in a kydex sheath attached my PFD. The knife has a rounded tip to prevent puncturing in an emergency situation. Also like others have said it's cheap and easily replaced if it goes overboard.

I don't do whitewater though just fishing.
 
I read that the Gerber River Shorty is now being manufactured in the US versus Italy for Gerber. I was really surprised that WM actually sells it. Mostly when I did the web search, it was Amazon and kayak places that sold it and none of my regular knife dealers stocked it. I believe the steel is 420HC, but that may be a change relative to the location manufactured.

The Gryphon M10 really appeals to the knife accumulator me. I don't use my kayak enough to justify spending the money for a knife like that. I am going to permanently place my Gerber River Shorty on my PFD when I get it so I don't really need to think about another accessory when I gather my kayaking stuff to head for the water. I hope the knife feels okay in the hand. With about a 4" handle, I think it will. For such an inexpensive knife, I am looking forward to handling it.

Previously, I always just carried my regular SAK, but one with an additional serrated blade (seat belt blade) would also be useful. Never really had to cut anything in an emergency on the water. I don't do white water kayaking and have little interest in doing it alone. Hence, this knife may well be the answer to a problem that I didn't have. :D
 
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Esav Benyamin said:
Marketed by Gerber, since the good old days when Gerber was good, before Fiskars bought them out. And the River Shorty is a contract knife, made in Italy.
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I have a River Shorty, and per the Gerber site, it is USA made; that said, for a street price of less than $20.00, this is one heck of a water sports knife.

UPDATE: The River Shorty was made in Italy in the beginning, but starting with the 2014 model year, the knife is now made in Portland, OR.
 
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Well, I got my Gerber River Shorty today. Interesting knife and I think it will do the job just fine. Will clip it onto my pfd vest so I can find it when the time comes to hit the water. Not something that likely will get used a bunch, but that was the whole point of getting a low cost knife for this purpose. It says "made in usa" on the handle. Pretty tough little knife and should work for light prying and obviously cutting with the serrated edge. I will probably not sharpen the false edge.
 
River shorty or similar serrated fixed blade easily attached to your PFD. Most important use by far is quick access and fast line cutting ability if needed to escape in white water. Super steel not needed. Carry whatever else you want in a dry bag if camping along the way.
 
Here is a little considered H-1 steel option.....A Sabi-knife, from Japan....clearly made by the same manufacturer who makes Spyderco knifes.....with express shipping only $80

This will stay on my PFD

Jesse
 

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Since I lost a couple of fairly expensive ($150 buck range) I've gone a different route and started carrying a Mora Companion. They're very well made, grippy when wet and you can get one in carbon steel (not a fan of carbon steel for use around water) or Swedish stainless for around $15 dollars on the net. I had heard people on the forums swear by Mora for years on the forums and when I finally got one I wanted to kick myself for not pulling the trigger a long time ago.

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Nothing wrong with the Mora Companion. I have one. I just think it maybe a bit pointy for kayak use in an emergency (think... you're in the water and struggling). But certainly good to have along with you. I have been pleased with the Gerber River Shorty. Have not really used it other than playing around with it. It's there if I need it. If something happens to it, I'll buy another.

Izula... a lot of people think "neck knife" for kayak and canoe use because if you take a spill in the water, it is still with you. I have carried the BK-24 for this purpose.
 
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