Kayak Knife

I'm looking for a good knife to carry inverted on my PFD/lifejacket while kayaking. I've considered the following:

Gerber River Guide
Gerber River Runner
Gerber River Shorty
Kershaw Amphibian
CRKT Stiff KISS
CRKT Bear Claw
CS Safekeeper

They all have different design features, and what I'm looking for is decent, inexpensive, solid gripping knife that will see occasional use, but is primarily an emergency use line cutter etc... Any experience with these knives? Opinions?

Thanks,

Jeff
 
C

copper

Joined
Mar 1, 2000
Messages
79
I had a river shorty on my PFD for a long time. It was fantastic. Always cut, held an edge (never sharpened it) and I never cut myself with it while cutting and floating/paddling. The blade seemed almost protected. Alas, I took the sheath off my PFD and hooked it on the boat. After going through some mangroves, it was gone. I'll use the lashing tabs on the sheath next time.
 
I use my Kershaw Amphibian, havnt needed it yet but it stays very secure in its sheath and doesnt get in the way....
 
Spyderco makes bunches of stuff for just this kind of situation. They make Rescue models which are designed primarily for cutting ropes, seatbelts, etc in emergency situations. they are mostly heavily serrated, however, but they are quite stain resistant and well built (as well as not too expensive, just in case it ends up at the bottom of the river somewhere).

Tom
 
I've used a Gerber for years. I'm not sure which model: all metal, double edged blade, part serrated. Not a great knife as far as knives go. Pretty uncomfortable in the hand and not the easiest thing to draw, but it does serve its purpose. There is considerable room for improvement and if I had my way I'd ask a custom maker to adapt a better neck knife so the sheath could clip on the PFD. Lately I've been wearing survival suits and/or a simple neck knife[which I wouldn't do in whitewater], but I'm thinking of asking Normark to make a special sheath for the Blackwood talonite neck knife I've ordered so I can clip the sheath on the PFD, leave it there, and use another sheath when I'm not on the water. There are lots of better knives out there, but the Gerbers are cheap and do a job. It pays to wrap the handle or have scalloped scales, depending on what gloves, if any, you wear.
 
I agree with TomF..>Spyderco Rescue<..Made for cutting line and a safe blade shape for working around the water...I just got one nib on eBay $25..tons of them on there! I am a commercial diver and wanted a cheap toolbox knife, but one I can cut line with undewater once in awile, they do that Well! Sharp! (we use hacksaws for big stuff) ....thats the one! put a lanyard or wrist loop on it so ya don't drop it...
Barry

[This message has been edited by Spim (edited 05-02-2000).]
 
JDS,
I've got about 15-16 years experience as a whitewater boater and what you will be dealing with most in a WW rescue situation is rope, webbing, nylon line, or possibly cutting out of a sprayskirt. The most efficient knife that also has built in safety considerations is the Spyderco Harpy or Merlin (now the Harpy ltwt). The knife was made originally for commercial fisherman cutting rope, line, and netting. The curved serrated blade gives a more efficient cut per stroke. If rope , webbing, etc. is wrapped around a the victim, the back of the curved blade can be placed against the body or limb, and the blade can safely be inserted underneath for the cut. A slip (you probably won't be on a stable platform) will only drive the point and edge up and away from the victim - safety. Clothing or equipment can be removed quickly and safely (in case of broken bones, etc.) using the same method. Carried in a Concealex or kydex sheath attached to your PFD, it's unobtrusive and easy to deploy in an emergency. I carry mine horizontally on the chest adjustment straps of my PFD and it stays totally out of the way 'til I need it. A couple of years ago an unconcious, upsidedown boater had to be cut from his sprayskirt after leaving the grab loop inside and was fataly injured (femoral artery) when the rescuers used a fixed blade to cut into the skirt (the legs will never be where they should - Murphy's Law). With a hawkbill blade, like the Harpy/Merlin, you can make a controlled cut with less than a 1/4 inch of blade entering the skirt - safety again. That's my recommendation based on my boating experience, knowledge of knives, and involvment in a few such situations.

Whatever knife you get, it should be serrated, stainless (that's not rustproof), and quick to deploy in an emergency. It should be of a size that will not interfere with your movements or snag on clothing or equipment and be attached to your PFD so you can access it quickly at all times.

The River Shorty is a decent river knife (there's a lot of them out there) but the factory sheath has a history of losing knives, as Copper found out. Advise you to get a replacement custom sheath if you get one.

I make sheaths for all sorts of knives, but got my start in the business when trying to find the best way of carrying an effective whitewater rescue tool for myself. Made a sheath for a Spyderco on a Rapidstyle vest (no lash tab), made some for my friends, then took them to Nantahala Outdoor Center, where they've been selling for several years. I'm not posting this to drum up business; your question just happened to hit where I live and I've been involved and concerned with River Safety for a long time.

SYOTR,
Mike Sastre
River City Sheaths
 
Thanks for all the excellent replies. Where else could you tap into such a diversity and wealth of experience.

Mike,

Excellent points and the blade curvature is the exact reason that I was looking at the CRKT Bear Claw. I've never seen one in person, but after reading some other posts, I suspect that the blade may be a little too flimsy. I was thinking primarily along the lines of a fixed blade, but after reading the advice provided by you, Tom, and Spim I'll reconsider the folders. Do you have a website for your sheaths or are they at the NOC site?

Thanks again,

Jeff

BTW: Copper, I'll be moving to the sunshine state (Jacksonville) this fall. You'll have to let me know some of the best paddling sites. Louisiana's got some of the best swamp and bayou paddling I've ever seen, but we've been in a drought the last 2 years and even the crawfish are complaining about the lack of water.



[This message has been edited by JDS (edited 05-03-2000).]
 
Will do. Although I mostly know the Tampa area, I'm familiar with most of the state.

drogler@aol.com
 
Mike 's advice is good and so are his sheaths!!

Personally, I prefer a fixed blade as I'm not sure how well I'll be able to open a folder if inverted in cold water. I also like a blunt end.
 
I was just carrying my River Shorty today -- in the woods. Great for cutting through thornbushes and vines. I can't see how that sheath ever lost a knife -- it triple-clicks in tight. I put a split ring through the end of the sheath and hang it upside down from the snap clip that holds my keys to my belt. It's handy, swings out of the way if I bump something, and it's easy to reinsert. And you won't cut someone with the screwdriver tip. The River Runner I think is the same basic knife with a drop point and only half serrations.

If you want a hawkbill but the Bearclaw looks flimsy, take a look at Emerson's La Griffe neck knife. I think it goes for $70 but its got a good-looking grip, no scales; you can wrap it or put scales on to your liking.
 
JDS,

NOC should have the sheaths on their website - they've been in their catalog for several years. If not, email your address and I 'll send info sheets with pictures.

ShadedDude was working on a fixed blade hawkbill for river use that showed a lot of promise. Jonathon, if you're out there let me now how it came out.

Unless they've changed the composition of the factory sheath, the little ears that "lock" into the edge of the River Shorty/Runner will fatigue in time and drop the knife with little provocation. If you look around you will see just as many empty Shorty sheaths attached to PFDs as full ones. Some people have good luck with them, others don't. I don't mind, it keeps me busy.

Mike
 
Mike,

Thanks, I found them on the website yesterday. Great looking sheaths and I think I'll pick one up. As a diehard canoe fan (backwaters and bayous, no whitewater) I've always carried a fixed blade on my side and could access it with no problem. Kayaks (touring) don't have that luxury. After thinking about it yesterday, I plan to get the Spyderco Rescue and one of your carriers. I think it will work fine and I can also use it when my feet aren't wet. Now I've just got to decide on a kayak......
smile.gif


Esav,

I like the Emerson knife as well, but really want something with serrations and a bit more cutting length. Thanks for the advice though and I may get a River Shorty just for the heck of it.
 
I kayak during the winter and find myself taking friends down in rafts most of the time in the Summer. Great point further up about not using a neck knife in whitewater.

I have been lucky with a first generation Gerber River master tied down to my PFD and have not lost it yet. The clip in the handle that retains the knife in the plastic sheath is tested and adjusted before each trip and I have not had a problem with the retention while bouncing around in some Class V holes.

The knife itself is pretty useless as a utility knife, but as an emergency whitewater knife, I do like the double edge. I do not want to be concerned with finding the edge while "circulating" and becoming entangled or dealing with a pin and being caught under a raft. (Man it hurts to think about being under a pinned raft and slashing the floor - glad I have not had to do that.)In a situation like that I prefer a fixed blade rather than a folder. (my biggest complaint is sharpening the puppy.)

As an aside for competent boaters Check out the Little River Canyon in NE AL. Pretty awesome IV, V ride. Important to scout when you loose the horizon since it is a natural river in a very steep canyon, but well worth the trip. At high water there are a couple of places where portage is the best considered.

------------------
"Life is too short to carry an ugly knife." Steve F.
 
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