good knife for salt water use?

extremefishin00

extremefishin00

Joined
Mar 24, 2001
Messages
584
Basically I'm looking for a folding knife or a neck knive that will hold up in constant use around salt water. It's not going to be used to cut rope, mainly cut fishing line, bait, and maybe even gut some sharks. Trying to keep the price around $50, but if it goes over, that's fine. Thanks ahead for any info.

C.Mapp

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"A sharp mind is just as important as a sharp knife."
 
Boker just came out with a marine model folder. Was reviewed in this month's Blade Magazine. Very positive review!! They said prolonged immersion in salt water had no effect. [You might want to check it out 'cause $50 sure won't get you a talonite blade!!]

Update: Just checked, it is an Gemini Skipper with x15 steel. http://store.knifecenter.com/pgi-ProductSpec?BO90S
Looks like you could get it in your price range too!

[This message has been edited by Jason Burns (edited 04-24-2001).]
 
The MSRP on the Boker Gemini Skipper is above $50, but I suppose you could search around for it at a discount price. Are you looking for a folder or fixed blade? David Boye offers some nice folders designed for use around salt water.
 
I'm mainly looking for a folder but a fixed blade knife in the 3-4" range probably wouldn't be that heavy. I think a neck knife might also work. I've been looking at the Spyderco Moran and that looks like it might be perfect. But I'm not sure how VG-10 would hold up around salt water. Also, what's the price range of Boye's folders? I have heard good things about his knives but never actually seen one. Thanks for the info.

C.Mapp

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"A sharp mind is just as important as a sharp knife."
 
Extreme, there are trade offs between rust resistance and blade performance. To be considered a stainless steel, the steel has to have at least 13% chromium content. Generally the more chrome, the more rust resistance and the worse the perforamnce as a blade steel. If you want a knife with a with good cutting ability that will take and hold an edge and is fairly easy to resharpen you will have to rinse well and use some kind of protectant after use in salt water. Folks on the forum have reported very good results using Marine Tuff Cloth on salt water knives. I'd would recommend a Spyderco Delica or Endura. In a fixed blade for your purposes the Rapala 4" filet would be ideal and is a great bargain at around $10.

phantom4

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who dares, wins


 
For less than $50, one of the blades I think might work is the Camillus Arclite. Haven't had personal experience with it yet, but I believe the 420HC blade will withstand some period of immersion without much problem and will hold an edge ok. Probably might need a few swipes with a steel halfway through if you're gutting a 2m shark.
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Personal experience: 98 Delica and Endura from Spyderco. Have used it to cut line, bait and gut fish every time I go fishing. Haven't had any problems with it, even without the tuffcloth coating. (I left it at home after summer vacations.) Must remember to wash when you get home from fishing. Don't leave it wet overnight.

Alternatively, buy that piece of Talonite being offered as a "knife blank" here. Sharpen part of it shaping it a little at the same time, wrap some cord around part of it as a handle. There. You have a blade you need never worry about rusting.

I've found a cheap way of making a sheath too. Not very good but will do in a pinch. Plastic milk cartons are thermoformable. You can heat a couple of pieces and mould it over the blade then glue them together using epoxy resin. This will strengthen the set up. Whole thing should set you back about $50 and a whole lot of elbow grease, but you get a Talonite blade.
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Good luck with your search.

[This message has been edited by Steelwolf (edited 04-24-2001).]
 
Www.OceanMaster.com has got a titanium-bladed, ti-hardware, zytel-handled folder for around $70.00 retail. I've handled one, and it is nice. They're ground to a relatively thin edge, with a flat-ground profile overall. There are partial serrations that in my opinion belong on a water knife. Best part is, they're made right here in the good ole U.S. Check it out!

Professor.
 
Thanks Professor.

I checked it out and it looks like a perfect match for what I'm looking for. Not a bad price either. Thanks for the link.

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"A sharp mind is just as important as a sharp knife."
 
Oh, and thanks to you Steelwolf for the info. I'm not gutting 2 meter sharks, thank goodness. Most of the ones we catch around where I work are 2-3 feet with some getting up to 5 feet. It looks like i'm going to be spending closer to $200 getting all the knives that were recommended because I can't decide. Haha. Just curious, what would it take to grind that piece of Talonite into a knife, besides a miracle?haha. I don't have that much access to machinery, but I'd like to give it a shot.Thanks again to everybody.

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"A sharp mind is just as important as a sharp knife."
 
Try Myerchin knives at www.myerchin.com
also what about buting a case load of those serrated Victorinox parring knives. Just get a sheath made from Normark and your set. If it rusts or you loose it just go back to your locker and grab another.

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It hurts to be on the cutting edge.
 
Mapp, I haven't had time to work on my piece of Talonite yet. I'll be sure to post my experiences when I'm finished though.

When I was sharpening my Camillus Talon (a commercial blade made from Talonite), I used a Lansky Diamond hone. Took a very long time, but I think that was mainly due to my hones being damaged and quite smooth.

But those blanks I mentioned are probably of a suitable width to make fillet knives without too much elbow grease. Probably requires a bench grinder or similar power tool. Nice thing is that you don't have to worry about ruining any temper.

Professor, I took a look at the Ocean Master stuff. I'm surprised that you say it is heaps cheaper than stuff from Mission Knives (which is sort of the standard when it comes to titanium knives). I want to try it out, but how does a guy from Oz get one of these beauties? The chaps in my local dive shop certainly don't stock these knives or I would have known about it already. (ie internet dealers?)

[This message has been edited by Steelwolf (edited 04-25-2001).]
 
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