I need a new knife

[Pete1977]

i used a fixed blade for years both on racing yachts and square riggers.

never had an issue with it catching on rigging etc, because i'd secured it horizontally to my safety harness so it couldn't catch on stuff.

never had a problem with putting the knife away, either on a heaving deck or standing on the footrope of the t'gallant yard in a swell.

now, i'll grant you that i wouldn't use a fixed blade if i was racing 16' skiffs again.

I have used fixed blades while commercial fishing (30-40 foot lobster boats) from the victorinox paring knives with their aftermarket sheaths, dexter boning knives, moras, and a custom. secured vertically or horizontally I found that they caught on anything that hangs or sticks out in the tight quarters on small commercial fishing boats. They would catch on the wire of the pots when you have to carry them around a deck that is moving in 3 different directions. I still use fixed blades but i leave it on the helm next to the hauler and keep a folding knife on me for moving around the deck.

Sounds like you've already made up your mind, but I too would suggest the orange griptilian for this use. Add the rust-resistant steel to the superior (in my experience, and compared to the standard Salt) design of the rest of the knife and you've got a winner...

Do you mean that the blade is superior to the salt or the overall design of the griptilian is? I have no experience with either N680 or X15 and haven't read much on their corrosion resistance vs. H1 or their overall performance so I am curious. I am not in the position to buy either knife to try out though.