Boating Knife Recommendations-BM100SH20

W

Wapiti

Joined
Sep 25, 1999
Messages
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I am looking to upgrade to a better PFD knife for canoeing and occasional river raft trips. Currently I carry an older SS Spyderco Clipit. It has worked fine, but it has a pointy tip, is kind of slippery, and I think I want a fixed blade.
I have admired the Benchmade BM100SH2O River & Rescue Fixed Blade, with yellow handle for a while and just wanted to hear input on it, or other options/recommendations.

Thanks,
Brome
 
I always loved my little Gerber River knife. It has a great snap system for the straps of your PFD and its a very easy to carry handy dandy gem of a fixed blade in my opinion, especially for the price. Mine is the shorty on the right. Great pry tool or screw driver too if needed. I've seen it in black and yellow both so I just used the first link that came up in a google search. http://www.knivesplus.com/GERBER-KNIVES-FIXED-RIVER-BOOT.html

STR
 
:thumbup::thumbup:On the Gerber Shorty. A little modding with a good stone and you're set. Mine has been on my PFD for years and seen plenty of river.--KV
 
The BM100SH2O is a great knife. I've been really impressed with X15 steel. Don't quote me but I'm pretty sure the 100SH2O is discontinued. If you like it you may want to pick one up while they are still floating around.
 
My issue with the gerbers is their sheaths. Part one is the attachment, the clip opening is toward the tip of the knife, so unless you secure it via zip ties or something, theres a possibility of it pulling right off your PFD with the knife. Secondly, the retention is via a pin driven through a rivet on one side of the knife. On my rivermate, they supply you with a replacement pin, which presumably is meant to be placed on the opposite side of the sheath. The way it comes from the factory, when you unclip the knife, the blade is facing away from you, IE any cutting would be a pushing motion. I prefer to have my knife blades face me for a pull motion since thats where the most strength is especially when cutting tangled lines, which is primarily what my rescue knife is for. They could have easily designed the knife and sheath to be inserted either way from the factory, but they did not. I use an NRS Pilot now. Much more secure and reversible, although it does have some oxidation issues.
 
I'm not sure cutting towards yourself in a hectic situation is a good idea but to each his own. I would also think you have more strength pushing away from your body than pulling towards your self.

I wonder how the X15 (?) Steel compares to the new steel they are putting in their water knives?
 
I did not know they had discontinued the 100SH20.

Anyone know why?
Just want to know if there is a reason (safety-wise) I should avoid considering it...
Or did they just want to move on to other projects.

Thanks for your experiences with the Gerber. That is the other one I have held, but just couldn't get used to the handle; but it is not off the list.

I really liked the sheath on the Benchmade.
 
FlaMtnBkr said:
I'm not sure cutting towards yourself in a hectic situation is a good idea but to each his own. I would also think you have more strength pushing away from your body than pulling towards your self.

I wonder how the X15 (?) Steel compares to the new steel they are putting in their water knives?
Click to expand...

I do understand the concern for the method of cutting, but my defense for this reasoning is mostly from experience. Most safety/rescue PFD knives are partially serrated, and I know from experience that cutting rope with a serrated knife usually takes a lot more effort if you push instead of pull. I also find I have more control in stopping a pulling motion than a pushing motion. Pulling is generally a bicep-employing event, where pushing uses the typically weaker forearms and triceps.

This is also the reason these knives are usually blunt tip, the heat of the moment could easily disorient you and while you're trying to figure out what the hell happened, a pointy tip could make matters worse puncturing my dry suit or myself, or both.

My NRS Pilot also has a rope cutting section, and trying to find that little groove while pushing has seemed tougher than finding it while pulling.

Just my $.02, thats why I suggested the knife be reversible, everyone has different tastes! :D
 
Wapiti said:
I did not know they had discontinued the 100SH20.

Anyone know why?
Just want to know if there is a reason (safety-wise) I should avoid considering it...
Or did they just want to move on to other projects.

Thanks for your experiences with the Gerber. That is the other one I have held, but just couldn't get used to the handle; but it is not off the list.

I really liked the sheath on the Benchmade.
Click to expand...

Benchmade brought out a new H2O line this year which is probably why they discontinued it. They replaced it with the 110H2O which you may want to check out as well. Both are good knives, I just prefer to use X15 in my water knives.

110H2O.2.jpg
 
Take a look at David Boye's knives. He has a web site and makes knives which have long been used by boaters of every stripe. His Stellite blades (half Chrome and half Nickel) do not rust. Their dendritic carbide structure goes after rope with a vengeance. You can pick point styles, serrations, handle colors, and optional marlinspikes. He makes truly unique products.
 
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