Good lake / sandy environment knife

Michael_Aos

Michael_Aos

Joined
Jan 25, 2001
Messages
1,639
We spend a lot of time "camping" (travel-trailer) at the lake with our personal watercraft.

Last year I carried a BM830 Ascent, which actually performed fine, but this year I was thinking a fixed-blade would deal better with the sandy environment. Any suggestions on a fixed blade? I'm thinking BM100 (River Rescue), or should I not worry about the sand -- it hasn't hurt anything yet.

Mike

------------------
http://www.users.qwest.net/~maos/Michael/knife/
 
I understand that the SOG Pentagon and Mini-Pentagon are very popular with the river guides out west. Rubberized handle for a good grip when wet. Both models have one plain and one serrated edge for various cutting chores. And the fixed-blade designs mean you don't have to worry about sand getting in the joints and mucking things up.

------------------
"I can't believe you stabbed me with this cheap piece of mail-order sh*t"
James Caan in 'Eraser'
 
Mike,

I think that a fixed blade is a good idea around sand and water.

Have you looked at the Camillus Mini Talon? It's corrosion proof and would be cool around your neck as you fly across the water! 1SKS has them in stock, I think.

I have a couple that I plan to use on the water this year, (not salt water) both fixed blades in BG-42. One is a Carson F4 neck knife, the other is a 'belt' knife made by the good folk at Running Dog. If not left in a warm wet pack, I thing they both will be fine.

Have a good summer!

Steve-O
 
I plan to by the BM 100 when it hits the market, it looks awesome.

Until then you can "make due" with a BM Nimravus Cub. Great knife. If you get one do yourself a favor and get the Normark sheath for it, his blows the one that comes with the BM out of the water, even though theirs is decent.
 
Stay away from sandy environs with anything like a kydex sheath.Your knife will sustain scratches unavoidably (as far as I know).If you must disregard this, at least clean the inside of ths sheath regularly with q-tips to get out grains of sand lurking there. This was hard-won experience!

------------------
AKTI Member #A000934
"Always just one knife short of perfection!"
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Steve-O:
Have you looked at the Camillus Mini Talon?
Steve-O</font>
Click to expand...

I looked at it but:
1. It's a little pricey for the lake
2. I don't like the sheath, I need something for my belt.
3. I've read to avoid Kydex, as it can fill w/sand and scratch.
4. It's a little small. I was thinking ~3"

Otherwise, yeah, sounded good.

Mike

------------------
http://www.users.qwest.net/~maos/Michael/knife/
 
Discard the SOG Pentagon idea. I own one and never really found it useful. The serrated edge is all along one side and the plain edge is all along the other. In effect, you have a dagger. Couldn't apply good leverage and always worried about cutting myself when I was using it.

I'd much prefer the SOG SEAL Pup or the Mini-Tsunami or even the NW Ranger... if SOGs are the go. BTW, the full sized SEAL and Tsunami are great too, but they might interfere with movement as they are rather large.

Kydex has been said by many to have disadvantages around sandy environments, but the same can be said for leather and cordura. It all depends on the care you take before sheathing your knife. Maybe your best bet would be to get a fixed blade you really like then ask Normark if he can design an "open concept" sheath (like the handle of the Spydie 'Q) so that the edge is covered, but the open structure allows the innards of the sheath to be rinsed easily.

But really, if you haven't had any trouble with sand in your BM Ascent, why do you think you'll have trouble this year?
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Steelwolf:
But really, if you haven't had any trouble with sand in your BM Ascent, why do you think you'll have trouble this year?</font>
Click to expand...

Lately I've bought into this idea of a knife for every purpose, as opposed to a single knife that does everything.

Seems like there'd be a knife especially suited to this environment, but yeah, I'll probably continue using the BM835.

Mike



------------------
http://www.users.qwest.net/~maos/Michael/knife/
 
How about a Camillus Arclite? It should be ideal. At around $20 who cares if alittle sand gets in the Kydex and scratches the blade. You can just tell people they're character scratches!

phantom4

------------------
who dares, wins


 
I suggest a Kit Carson U2 dive knife. The small will probably do. Talonite is nearly indestructible, and the Rob Cude / EOD sheath will keep the knife attached to you until you want to use it.

<A HREF="http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=306668&a=2279510&p=36910070&Sequence=0&res=high" TARGET=_blank>
Thumbnail
</A>

Walt
 
OK Mike, how about this,

I believe in your idea of a knife for each job....

Combine phantom4s and Steelwolfs ideas, an open tipped sheath with the Arclite blade. The Arclite ships with a neck sheath, buy two, send one to Eric at On Site for a sheath (tell him to keep it!) and there you have it...less than $100 including shipping. A good corrosion resistant knife in a custom sheath, if it gets scratched you buy another knife for $20.

(Remember to recycle the neck sheaths.)
smile.gif


Steve-O
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Steelwolf:
Kydex has been said by many to have disadvantages around sandy environments, but the same can be said for leather and cordura. It all depends on the care you take before sheathing your knife</font>
Click to expand...

My sentiments exactly, any sheath will keep sand in it, wet/dry leather holds it worse than Kydex. Kydex is easier to rinse out and most good ones include a drain hole for just that purpose. They also don't absorb water keeping the blade damp. You'll never have a problem with rotting either.

IMO kydex is better in a sandy/wet environment. Your knife will get scratched regardless of what you have, just take care of it after use.

I'd also reccomend a good dry lubricant. I have used dry teflon from bike shops for years, it goes on wet and then dries leaving behind a teflon coating. Mountain Bikers (me included) use it for lube in sandy environments.

Just my 0.02
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top