Any knife weilding Coasties? Looking for advice on a new blade.

M

Maikutis

Joined
Jan 2, 2007
Messages
193
Hey all, this is my first post. I've been checking out the forums and doing a lot of reading. I'm looking for a good folder that would be an asset to my work in the Coast Guard. The knife would be a daily user for anything from scraping and cutting line (rope) to peeling oranges. Two other things I'm concerned about: salt water and safety. Believe me, being low on the command food chain I do a lot of cleaning up salt water damage. As far as safety, I do a lot of work in the surf and a "tactical" blade or anything so aggressively pointed is bad news. Grip is also important as cold and wet hands can easily drop items. Speaking of dropping, price is also important, as an E-3 Seaman I don't make much.

Any other sailors out there with a favorite? Anyone else have any ideas? I really like BM Axis lock knives, but I'm looking for experience from those who have been there and may know of a better knife to use.

Thanks to all,
maikutis
 
A guy I work with is a Coast Guard Reserve Senior Chief Electrician (Thunder Bay in Rockland, Me). He carries a Spyderco Endura 4 that I bought him when he came on my shift. He also carries a Leatherman Wave and a Mini Mag flashlight all the time. Sounds like a Spyderco Rescue, Atlantic Salt or Tasman Salt would fit the bill for you. Back when I was in the Navy (80's and 90's) we all carried Buck 110's.

Good luck and thanks for serving.
Scott
 
Look at Spyderco's H1 Salt line- they're designed for maritime use- some are optimized for rope cutting- hawksbill type blades with full serrations. The H1 pretty much doesn't rust, too. Not even sure if it can.
 
I used to carry a Buck Duke, a 112, or one of those freebie Camillus marlinspike knives when I was in the Guard. They worked good, and were cheap enough to damage or not feel too bad if I lost it or it grew legs. Sadly, once I made rate I didn't have too much use for one, I was a Radioman which you don't have any more of. :(

Semper Paratus (and 73's to any old crusty RM's who see this)!
 
I would suggest something from Spyderco's Salt Series. The H1 will not rust!!
 
Check out Myerchin Knives. Most of them are designed for nautical use.

I strongly agree with the Spyderco Salt knives as a best bet, whatever else you may get. No rust, sharp blades, good grip, even bright colored handles.
 
A.G. Russell has a SeaMaster that has always caught my eye. Titanium handle with framelock on a 3.25" wharncliff style blade that has about an inch of serrations on the front of the blade and straight edge back to the handle. The marlin spike also locks up via a framelock. Blade steel is ATS34 but it is fully coated with a titanium and aluminum coating that rates at 80 rockwell. It won the 2004 Blade Show's "Most Innovative Imported Design". The only downside I can see is the price.............$275.00, but I'm sure it would prove a good investment over the years.:D :D www.agrussell.com
 
As others here have mentioned, Spyderco's Salt line would honestly fit your needs perfectly. I can't think of anything else better suited to the application you've described.
 
Wow, the Spyderco Salt series looks just like you ordered.

I'd imagine that you definitely do want to put a really good lanyard on it!


-MV
 
Another vote for the Spydie H-1 line. A little over a year ago I gave a charter boat captain and his mate (out of Port Aransas Texas) H-1 Atlantic's with the sheepsfoot blade. When I saw the Captain about a month ago he said it was one of the best "tips" he and his mate had ever recieved. After using it a year they've had no rust problems, and the sheepsfoot blade hasn't pierced a foot when dropped, or stabbed either of them when being used in rough seas. (BTW, I gave them a monetary tip, as well as the knife - wouldn't want anyone to think I was cheap. :D )
SC_C89PYL_LARGE.jpg
 
Awesome responses guys!

I really appreciate it, the sheepsfoot blade style is exactly what I was looking for. I did some research (read: googled) on the blade and found that Captains would break off the tip of personal knives that belonged to the sailors to prevent them from being used in fights, or at least lessen the physical damage done. After the tips were broke off, the sailors noticed that they cut themselves less in pitching seas. Interesting. Still can't figure out why it's called a "sheepsfoot" though. The one mentioned that was $225, yikes. Best looking knife of all of them, but no way I can afford it. I really liked the marlin spike though, that would come in handy. There is also the Merchin line of knives with the sheepsfoot and the marlin spike that is more affordable, but I don't know anything about the company. I think I'll go with the spyderco, as people on these forums seem to like/trust the company. While I'm not big on the styling, it's a tool and not a fashion choice.

Thanks to all, and Semper Paratus.

mike

Also, I probably won't be buying for another week or so, so any more ideas would be appreciated.
 
Myerchin knives are very solid, a good buy, but I think the Spydie Salt is better for you.

The sheepsfoot name comes from the shape of the tip of the blade, resembling a hoof. There is also a style called the lambsfoot, and hooked blades are known as hawksbills.
 
To the OP, or anyone else:

I just ran across a sailor knife in a box of gear I have. Marked "Telo", stainless, Japan. Basic slipjoint, all steel, 3" sheepsfoot blade, marlin spike, and big lanyard bail.

Offering free to any poor E2-E3 Coastie who has a need for it. The OP is probably knife-savvy enough to want something nicer, but if he wants to mess with this one first and then give it away to a junior after he buys a Salt, that's okay too.

Whoever wants it, just PM me with your _unit_ address, and I'll mail it out to you. Will edit this post once the knife is gone.

-MV (current Marine Captain, former PFC)
 
MatthewVanitas said:
Offering free to any poor E1-E3 Coastie who has a need for it.
Click to expand...
The only E-1 Coasties you'll find are in boot camp, where sadly they don't allow you to carry a knife. Upon completion of basic they are advanced to E-2. There might be some guys who get busted down to E-1 but they probably don't deserve a knife. :D
 
Mick R. said:
Another vote for the Spydie H-1 line. A little over a year ago I gave a charter boat captain and his mate (out of Port Aransas Texas) H-1 Atlantic's with the sheepsfoot blade. When I saw the Captain about a month ago he said it was one of the best "tips" he and his mate had ever recieved. After using it a year they've had no rust problems, and the sheepsfoot blade hasn't pierced a foot when dropped, or stabbed either of them when being used in rough seas. (BTW, I gave them a monetary tip, as well as the knife - wouldn't want anyone to think I was cheap. :D )
SC_C89PYL_LARGE.jpg
Click to expand...

Mick, that was a serious solid you did there! You get a big :thumbup: from me!
 
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