Any Canyoneers?

threatx3 · Feb 17, 2011

This will be my third year doing canyons in Zion National Park. It will be my first year that I take an ESEE with me. The question is....? What would be the best ESEE for tackling the tasks a canyoneer might encounter. I'm guessing either the 3 or 4 serrated. I would love input from anyone though.

I can't wait for it to heat up so I can hit the canyons. Anyone in the southern Utah area that wants to hit up a canyon and will be in the area drop me a line. Photos attached to incite envy!

These were all taken last year in Spry Canyon

Knife Dude · Feb 17, 2011

Hi there, I did my fair share of canyoning and mountaineering. If it has to be an ESEE I would go with a serrated 3.
However, even though I am a big ESEE fan and love my 3, I personally would rather carry something with a fully serrated blade instead of partially serrated for those activities. I recently got a Spyderco Asssist folder in orange which I like a lot as an emergency knife. The blunt tip of that blade is surely a plus if you need to cut your gear in an emergency.. just think if for whatever reason you don't have to cut the rope but your harness which might be tight around your legs, you much rather want to have a blunt rounded tip to get between your legs and your harness.

Decklin · Feb 17, 2011

Good point Knife Dude, just the idea of sliding an ESEE 3 between my thigh and a harness strap gave me pains.

Never been canyoning but it looks like fun. Nice pics to.

gregncat · Feb 17, 2011

I'm not a Canyoneer, but I am a Cannoneer.
Member of a naval gun crew. Not even close to being the same thing.

The Z · Feb 17, 2011

Looks like a lot of fun! I would say a three serrated with the "jump proof" MOLLE back would be your best bet.

threatx3 · Feb 17, 2011

Knife Dude said:
Hi there, I did my fair share of canyoning and mountaineering. If it has to be an ESEE I would go with a serrated 3.
However, even though I am a big ESEE fan and love my 3, I personally would rather carry something with a fully serrated blade instead of partially serrated for those activities. I recently got a Spyderco Asssist folder in orange which I like a lot as an emergency knife. The blunt tip of that blade is surely a plus if you need to cut your gear in an emergency.. just think if for whatever reason you don't have to cut the rope but your harness which might be tight around your legs, you much rather want to have a blunt rounded tip to get between your legs and your harness.

We spend a considerable amount of time in the water so I'm thinking that SS 4 that's coming would preform like a champ. That's a good tip on the blunt edge and full serrations though.

Horridus · Feb 17, 2011

Done a little bit of canyoning, but it isn't a regular occurrence for me. My opinion is a 4 is going to be a great all around knife that will be able to handle anything you throw at it. Partial serrations are good if you have to cut out fast but going full serration and you are limiting all the other things you may need the knife for. Perhaps a good idea is a 4 plain edge and keep a separate full serrated folder in easy reach in case you need that specifically.

Canyoning is fun...

But going underground is even better.

threatx3 · Feb 17, 2011

I've never rapped into moving water like that! I've heard there is a whole different dynamic to doing it without drowning yourself. Looks fun.

Horridus said:
Done a little bit of canyoning, but it isn't a regular occurrence for me. My opinion is a 4 is going to be a great all around knife that will be able to handle anything you throw at it. Partial serrations are good if you have to cut out fast but going full serration and you are limiting all the other things you may need the knife for. Perhaps a good idea is a 4 plain edge and keep a separate full serrated folder in easy reach in case you need that specifically.

Canyoning is fun...
View attachment 196075

But going underground is even better.
View attachment 196074

Horridus · Feb 17, 2011

threatx3 said:
I've never rapped into moving water like that! I've heard there is a whole different dynamic to doing it without drowning yourself. Looks fun.

Oh man, it is soooo fun! When the water is too heavy or hitting you wrong you have to bounce out and reposition. Sometimes you'll need to keep a leg out of the water to the side because the heavy water can sweep your feet and make you kiss the wall, but otherwise it isn't too much different. I've always had room to swing out to get the water out of my face for a moment or two but I guess every waterfall is a different. Just remember your knife isn't the only gear that can be damaged by water.

Knife Dude · Feb 17, 2011

Good recommendation of Horridus to have two knifes on you.. especially when ropes and flowing water is involved!
I did also lots of white water kayaking in the Swiss alps and have taken numerous white water safety classes.. one thing I learned is that if you are in flowing water and attached to a rope the current will actually suck you under water. I always carried a dive knife on my vest. And today I would most likely even carry 2! Better safe than sorry! It is just too easy to loose something in flowing water. I mean, if you are in a deep river it usually is not a problem, but canyoning (and kayaking) you usually encounter white water which often is rather shallow, meaning you gonna hit lots of rocks under water.. and loosing or even more breaking stuff is common..

And, OH YES!! I am waiting too for that SS4!!

silentknight2112 · Feb 20, 2011

hey buddy, if your looking for an emergency cutter type deal. instead of carrying a big ol knife why dont you grab yourself one of these? http://www.benchmade.com/products/7 its called the 7hook and its INSANE sharp. i have one on my trauma pack and i have tested it out it cuts through EVERYTHING but is very safe and SUPER light. just my .02C. oh and that canyoneering stuff looks fun! wish we had ANYTHING like it down here.....