Climbing Knife / Folder with lock in closed position

Jens Schuetz

Jens Schuetz

Joined
Jun 24, 2013
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I am looking for a good climbing knife.
I plan on using it to cut old ropes which are in my way or free myself if I ever get trapped.

Why not a normal folder? It might open itself during a jump.
Why not a fixed knife? It might poke even through a super tough sheath when I drop on it with all my weight.
Therefore I think it will be best to look for a folder which can be locked with the blade closed. Thus the blade will be secure in the handle and not be able to deploy itself or poke through any sheath.
I know being locked in the close position will probably compromise deployment speed but that's fine with me, even if I would prefer it would still open fast.

Additional nice features could be a carabiner at the pommel
and an auto lock when open.
The blade should be able to cut ropes, if it has to be serrated for that, so be it, if not, even better.

I did some reading here on BF and other places and only found an old blog which sees the same requirements like me and suggested the Buck Redpoint.
It seems pretty good, but maybe there are better knives out there now.

Thank you for your help.
:thumbup:
 
I would get a Pardue auto folder from BenchmAde, it has a lock to prevent accidental opening. You can attach a lanyard with carabiner to it.
 
If you just want to keep it simple what about an opinel they lock both ways . Take a look at the opinel number 8 outdoor knife . In sandvik 12c27 mod .
 
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R.c.s said:
If you just want to keep it simple what about an opinel they lock both ways .
Click to expand...

Opinel do have some one hand openers these days, partially serrated and as RCS said they lock both ways. I'm not sure what steel they use but they might be worth giving a go.

Are you sure you want it to lock closed though? To me that would seem like an extra delay in deploying the knife if you need to in an emergency, or increase the likelihood of fumbling it. A lot of folders require quite deliberate action to open and aren't likely to open on their own, even if their lanyard is jolted/yanked. I spent quite a lot of time either harnessed up, hanging off ropes or using safety lines while active with our volunteer rescue/storm salvage service (State Emergency Service) - I carried a Spyderco Delica with a combo edge and a Spiderco Meerkat.
 
The first knife that came to mind for me was one that should be coming out this year, the 'DPx HIT Cutter' Small Fixed blade with an integrated carabiner as well as a button lock blade guard it seems.
'
 
You might have a look at Hogue knives. They are a button lock design with a sliding lock that keeps the knife solidly locked open or closed. Unfortunately there is no carabiner setup on it to fill all requirements.
 
The Kershaw Chive/Scallion/Leek all have tip locks. They're A/O, so you can deploy them easily with one hand, and they don't cost very much so if you were to drop one it would not be the end of the world.
 
Are you willing to consider one of the Kershaw models that doesn't use its lock to lock closed but has a little safety mech? The Leek for example. Turn off safety, push flipper, takes about one extra second to one-hand.

Edit: I loaded this page while I was at the bus stop but didn't type my reply till I was home, great minds...
spydercobenchmadekai said:
The Kershaw Chive/Scallion/Leek all have tip locks. They're A/O, so you can deploy them easily with one hand, and they don't cost very much so if you were to drop one it would not be the end of the world.
Click to expand...
 
SOG also has some that have a lock to keep it closed. But imho i would go with a spyderco. I have never had one accidentally deploy.
 
How about a butterfly knife with a serrated blade?

Or a simple leatherman/multi tool; regular blade, serrated blade, and/or a combo blade and pliers. Some of them also have a carabiner.
 
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Mopst of Benchmade's Axis Assist locking knives have a safety lock on the back that will lock them open or closed (the 470 has it on the side near the thumb). Kershaw's Chives, Scallions, and Leeks all come with locks that lock the blade closed as well.

If I might suggest something else though, I would get whatever folder you find most comfortable/usable and put it in a sheath (the sheath allows you to easily pull it out and open/close it but will ensure it stays closed even under shock). You have a range of options with sheaths depending on how much retention you need and where you want it mounted and you don't sacrifice ease-of-opening, but you retain the safety you're looking for.
 
What kind of climbing are we talking about here? Traditional, alpine, via ferrata?
 
A Kershaw ET if you can find one. Even has a carabiner type clip.
 
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