Best Knife for Sea Kayaking?

tacticalgerman

tacticalgerman

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Apr 30, 2008
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I'm Going on a 2-3 day paddle around Catalina Island at the end of August or beginning of September, depending how far I've come with training.

I'm contemplating what knife of mine to bring along or whether I should buy a dive knife.

I took my Victorinox Swiss Army Firman Lockblade knife kayaknig on Rainy Lake Canada (fresh water) and had no problem with it rusting....I looked on the victornox website and saw that a sailor did not have any trouble with his swiss army knife corroding.

However last time I went kayaking in the ocean by Seal Beach I took a Kissing Crane Stilleto and the handle started rusting up after only a couple hours.

I was planning on taking my "One Hand Trekker" Bundeswehr/German Army Version. I took it last weekend with me when I went sailing on a friend's 30 foot sail boat. With a half serrated blade it can cut through stuff faster (kelp, life jacket, rope etc. than a straight edge). Also, it would be valuable in an emergenctncy situation if one of my arms is tangled up. Given I would be camping along the shore it would be usefull to have a can opener, bottle opener, saw etc. along too.

Do you think this would be a good choice? What knife do you guys take when you go kayaking or sea kayaking?
 
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Spyderco Salt. I'm pretty sure that's what lots of people are going to say. Its a good knife.

Victorinox is great too. Their steel is amazingly corrosion resistent. The OHT is a great choice.
 
I would say Spyderco Salt.

I recently went on a camping trip and spent a good bit of time on a pond fishing from a sit-on-top kayak. I brought a fixed blade, RC3, and a folder, Spyderco Delica, and a multi-tool, LM Juice out there with me.

The only one I used was the Spyderco. I was using it quite a bit to cut line so I'd have to cut, put it down, cut, put it down. I found myself just folding it and putting it in my lap to wait for the next cut. I would not feel comfortable with a FB laying on my lap like that.
 
I would take a Zero Tolerance 0121 (Strider like). This would be rigged to my life vest. It is a full tang hard steel knife which is coated. You can quickly draw it for any emergency or routine cutting needs. Kydex sheath is ready for fixation and waterproof. This knife is practically indestructable so knife failure wouldn't be a problem. The only problem is it is not floatable. Maybe a knife with a marlin spike if you plan on mooring your kayak or anchoring it. A marlin spike makes knots come loose much quicker. Another good choice would be a Mission titanium knife but they are expensive and the coolest models are kinda large 5 1/2 inches to 7 inches. They do make some smaller models which would probably suit you fine. Good luck.
 
Alex p. Schorsc said:
I would take a Zero Tolerance 0121 (Strider like). This would be rigged to my life vest. It is a full tang hard steel knife which is coated. You can quickly draw it for any emergency or routine cutting needs. Kydex sheath is ready for fixation and waterproof. This knife is practically indestructable so knife failure wouldn't be a problem. The only problem is it is not floatable. Maybe a knife with a marlin spike if you plan on mooring your kayak or anchoring it. A marlin spike makes knots come loose much quicker. Another good choice would be a Mission titanium knife but they are expensive and the coolest models are kinda large 5 1/2 inches to 7 inches. They do make some smaller models which would probably suit you fine. Good luck.
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Very good point - I forgot about rigging it to the life vest. I do were a life vest when I'm kayaking in local ponds as the ponds around here are shallow enough to stand up in if I capsize. Also it's a sit-on-top kayak so it won't sink.

I agree with Alex, you should probably have something rigged to your vest as a back up in the event that you take a dump.
 
myright said:
The only one I used was the Spyderco. I was using it quite a bit to cut line so I'd have to cut, put it down, cut, put it down. I found myself just folding it and putting it in my lap to wait for the next cut. I would not feel comfortable with a FB laying on my lap like that.
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I wouldn't feel comfortable with any knife in my lap. :D
Use a lanyard next time. Fold it up and let it hang off your wrist.

Since tacticalgerman did fine with a SAK, he probably isn't looking for a combat-grade fixed blade. I think the OHT would be a solid choice and any Spydie Salt wouldn't be bad at all for another. It's good to have a backup and both those knives are reliable, lightweight, and inexpensive.
 
Agree with Spyderco Salt series for a folder. For a fixed blade the little Underwater Kinetics Remora will attach to your vest unobtrusively. If you want something bigger try the UK Fusilier. Both are available in Hydralloy and the Remora can be had in Titanium. They are great dive knives so should be perfectly fine in the kayaking role.

http://www.uwkinetics.com/catalog/category/13
 
I would go with the SAK and a salt might seem like overkill but one has a good assortment of tools and the other has a very nice knife blade and 100% corrosion resistance.
 
tacticalgerman said:
I

I was planning on taking my "One Hand Trekker" Bundeswehr/German Army Version. I took it last weekend with me when I went sailing on a friend's 30 foot sail boat. With a half serrated blade it can cut through stuff faster (kelp, life jacket, rope etc. than a straight edge). Also, it would be valuable in an emergenctncy situation if one of my arms is tangled up. Given I would be camping along the shore it would be usefull to have a can opener, bottle opener, saw etc. along too.

Do you think this would be a good choice? What knife do you guys take when you go kayaking or sea kayaking?
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I've no experience with this knife, but I've always thought that the SOG Pentagon would be great for a boat/marine type of situation. Straight edge when needed, and a serrated when needed.

SOG-Pentagon-1.jpg
 
I really hate to be waving a pointy knife around in a moving vehicle or boat bouncing on the water! :D

That's probably why sailors carry sheepsfoot knives ...
 
You can get a good dive knife for about $60, or a titanium one for around $100. The SS are relatively inexpensive. These typically have safety straps to keep them secure.

Something as simple as a SOG Seal Pup will work, as well.

http://www.joediveramerica.com/page/JDA/PROD/knives/30064

http://www.scuba.com/scuba-gear-30/024135/Scuba-Titanium-Dive-Knife.html

http://www.scuba.com/scuba-gear-30/024127/Scuba-Stainless-Steel-Dive-Knife.html

Lots of people prefer the blunt tip, but I prefer a spear or tanto. It all depends on what you're most comfortable using in (or under) the water.
 
How about a David Boye Cobalt folder. You can choose which style of blade and which color handle. That is what his knives are made for and they will cut all day long. Good Luck! Kevin :D
 
I do a lot of sea kayaking, all of it in salt water. I f you want to keep the knife handy while in the cockpit, the salt series folders fit the bill. You could get away with a s/s mora as well. I use a salt-1 spyderedge attached to my PFD with lanyard.
 
Salt all the way. Mine lives on my PFD and never gets fresh water unless I'm paddling in it.
 
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