Issues cutting rope

[Gary W. Graley]

David Boye Dendritic Cobalt might be a good choice if you are needing to cut this stuff on a regular basis

G2

 

[Silent H]

So I took one of the knives after it dulled out and sharpened it with a coarse crystolon and it tore 1/2 way through very well, then it stopped like the others. I also tried a serrated spyderco that also did well initially but couldn't make it through without slowing down and having to saw like crazy to get it done with rope fibers everywhere. Looking at the serrations afterwards they're glinted/rolled.

That's pretty much the best performance you could hope for against that type of rope.

 

[Wild Willie]

I cut rope quite often for work, but it's usually just to re-dress the ends of my climbing and rigging lines. Even the dirtiest of those is super clean compared to whatever you had.

I think the best knife to have in a situation like that is someone else's...

 

[A.L.]

So I took one of the knives after it dulled out and sharpened it with a coarse crystolon and it tore 1/2 way through very well, then it stopped like the others. I also tried a serrated spyderco that also did well initially but couldn't make it through without slowing down and having to saw like crazy to get it done with rope fibers everywhere. Looking at the serrations afterwards they're glinted/rolled.

Stupid question but are you sure you just didn’t face friction?

 

[Locutus D'Borg]

Chainsaw?

 

[lawp]

I carry an original Spyderco Salt with full serrations while sailing. In one race I created a winch overlap during a tack and I had to go forward to cut the 5/8" jib sheet to avoid going on the rocks. One swipe of the blade parted the line. The H1 steel is not the hardest, but the Spyderco serrations are the best. It did not need sharpening after.

 

[MolokaiRider]

Completely dry.

That thick rope looks like what I was cutting. Interesting you had no issues.





Thanks for all the responses, the rope was pretty grungy. I also put an acute edge on all my knives, maybe a more obtuse edge would have done better.

It's not easy. You have to sharpen often and also need to use strength. Chopping and even batoning helps.

 

[P_A_S_1]

Stupid question but are you sure you just didn’t face friction?

I'd say no.

 

[eveled]

A rope under tension would cut a lot differently than a loose floppy one.

 

[KenHash]

I can not think of any reason why any sharp knife could not cut through dry nylon rope, other than;
- The rope was not taut
- The knife was not as sharp as you thought it was
- There is material mixed into the rope (sand/grit) -but you should be able to feel this
- It is not just nylon rope but a nylon casing/covering over some type of metallic cable-again should feel this
- You were trying cut with the spine (just kidding...lol)

 

[EngrSorenson]

Baton it next time.

I don’t know if you were just being funny or you are keenly aware of rope knife usage, but I believe I read that (historically) sailors would baton through rope.

 

[LimpCroissant]

David Boye Dendritic Cobalt might be a good choice if you are needing to cut this stuff on a regular basis

G2

I was thinking the same thing! That or whatever model from Mike Vagnino's Terrain 365 floats your boat.

 

[Nature Boy]

I don’t know if you were just being funny or you are keenly aware of rope knife usage, but I believe I read that (historically) sailors would baton through rope.

A little of both, I suppose. I am aware of enough to know of sailors hammering a knife through rope, but I also figured that mentioning batoning might get some reaction.

 

[tiguy7]

Sand contains Quartz (SiO). Arkansas stones are micro-crystalline Quartz. Sand is a major abrasive. Look for sand free rope.

 

[Sharp Steel]

I don’t know if you were just being funny or you are keenly aware of rope knife usage, but I believe I read that (historically) sailors would baton through rope.

I remember reading somewhere that they would use a fid to pound the rigging knife through the rope, rather than try to slice it. Guess it makes a cleaner cut for whipping?

 

[Arathol]

I remember reading somewhere that they would use a fid to pound the rigging knife through the rope, rather than try to slice it. Guess it makes a cleaner cut for whipping?

A fid is like a marlin spike, a large needle like tool used for splicing.
A large belay pin or wooden mallet was the tool of choice for pounding a knife through a rope.

 

[hank_rearden]

In the (not really) old days they used this? Main blade's thick enough to baton (not sure if they used a folding baton.)

 

[EngrSorenson]

In the (not really) old days they used this?

I believe this is a “Rope Knife”, this one featured in the Mystic Seaport Museum.

 

[Drop bear]

Bread knife?

 

[EngrSorenson]

Bread knife?

Ugh… bread knives are for cutting bread.