More detailed knife questions for paddlers...

R

RH

Joined
Jan 31, 1999
Messages
2,094
Please answer the following questions, and give a specific reason why you choose this or that type of equipment over another.

First, do you raft, kayak, or canoe, and does your choice of gear change with the craft or conditions?

- fixed or folder ?
- Plain or serrated ?
- Blunt or pointed ?
- Size ?
- Carry method ?
- Other gear (whistle, flare, ..) ?
 
Kayak and Raft.
Gear changes with craft and conditions.
Remote river requires more gear than say the Ocoee or Chattooga.

Fixed 3" blade at most. Pref 2.5" (I do not want to deploy a folder while swimming in a hydrolic.)

Plain kept razor sharp. I just do not like serrated knives (a personal preference.)

Pointed - in the cse of rafting I want to be able to pierce the floor quickly in case of a pin and a person perculating underneath the raft). If I kayaked only, I would choose a blunt end.

2.5 inch blade attached to the left chest of my PFD via a lash tab.

Throw Rope (and lots of practice using it).
Flares on a remote river.
Whistle anytime I am in the outdoors and think it would help to get attention in a sit. where aid would be beneficial.
Rest of typical whitewater gear when conditions dictate.
 
Gus,

That is an awesome post. I am a newbie to the paddling lifestyle and you gave some really good ideas.

I just bought a Kayak (sit on top), still waiting on the PFD that I ordered at the same time. I carry a Buck Deputy II Crosslock right now run through the straps of my el cheapo PFD. But after reading Gus's post I think I might have to invest in a fixed blade (gerber River shorty or something). I think I might be able to find something I like around here. LOL

The only other equipment that I carry on a regular basis is a waterproof bag with my cell and ID in it. Again this is going to change soon after reading this post.



------------------
Jason Cadden
jc.gif

Webmaster
Smoky Mountain Knife Works, Inc.
jcadden@smkw.com
 
jason, intersting that you're in on this discussion...I was wondering if the MDP Stiff Kiss that I plan on ordering on Friday
wink.gif
would be appropriate for water craft use.
 
**Originally posted by RH:
First, do you raft, kayak, or canoe, and does your choice of gear change with the craft or conditions?**

If it will float at or near the surface of the water I'll paddle it. Got 5 different water craft at the house for me and the family. Gear changes with both water type (white, quiet or salty) and conditions (remoteness, weather, difficulty).

- fixed or folder ?
Both. Folder was a Spyderco Rescue, now it's a Spyderco Harpy. For a fixed I carry an Emerson Whitewater, kinda like a La Griffe.

- Plain or serrated ?
I don't like serrations on most knives. However I make an exception for my river knive for cutting webbing/rope, especially if loaded.

- Blunt or pointed ?
Pointed for picking out splinters and pricking tubes on a wrapped inflatable.

- Size ?
Small. Must be very manageable and easily manipulated, especially if trying to cut the sprayskirt on a pinned kayak.

- Carry method ?
Harpy in a RiverCity Security Sheath with 550 cord on the right side PFD adjustment strap of my Swiftwater Rescue PFD. The Emerson in the original sheath in the left chest pocket of my PFD.

- Other gear (whistle, flare, ..) ?
Throw rope, whistle attached to PFD, locking carabiners, minimal gear for road side boating like the Ocoee or Nantahala. If more remote then fire starters, aluminum emergency bag, LED flashlight, light stick, first-aid kit. Sometimes will take extra gear/food in the winter.

See 'Ya On The River,
Clyde
 
RH,

Yeah I reckon the the Stiff KISS would work on the water. I just ran out to the showroom and checked one out. I may have found what I want for the water-use. The best thing is that it is quality without a huge price tag.

Click here to see what RH is talking about: CRKT Weekend Special

------------------
Jason Cadden
jc.gif

Webmaster
Smoky Mountain Knife Works, Inc.
jcadden@smkw.com
 
OT here...Jason, some folks have (often fair) criticism of SMKW's products, but I find they have enough interesting products to make your job rather enviable.

I can't think of a better way to spend a lunch hour than cruising the SMKW warehouse!

Enjoy the perks of your job!

...and now, back to our regularly scheduled thread on water sports...
 
Most of my canoe trips were in the days before i discovered one hand clip knives.They were remote, long,trips in places like the Yukon,BC,Ontario ect.,then I had a sak,and a Schrade LB7.

Today on the short white water trips I do I carry on me a 50/50 delica and a Ontario 7 inch fixed blade on my pack.the Delica is clipped to my shorts with a lanyard tied to my belt.The one time i really needed the Delica was when we lost it in some rapids we swam to shore and I looked out to see the canoe bobing like crazy in the rapids.The stern line had got caught on some rocks and held the canoe in the middle of the rapids.It took some work but I made it to the canoe,and could not get it free, I reached of the Delica and it was not in my pocket,lucky for me the lanyard held tight and I still had the knife.Being under some stress the line cut with very little pressure on the blade.

Today doing just day trips I bring the knives,first aid kit,sun screen,extra paddles,rope and most important cigars and a few beers.

------------------
AKTI #000946
 
Canoe [ and Ocean Kayak. My gear is quite different not only depending on whether I'm kayaking or canoeing but also where I'm going and whether it's whitewater, flat water or ocean.
Starting with knives: my knives choice depends on a few things. If I'm wearing a PFD I'll wear a knife lashed to the PFD. That used to be a Gerber River Knife, which was pretty underwhelming, but now it's a Blackwood stellite custom which was designed by Neil with input from Gus and myself. A photo is on Neil's site. If I'm in a kayak I'll also carry a knife lashed to the deck or in/on my deckbag. Usually it's a Busse NO or Steelheart II , although for ocean trips where rust is a problem I have used a cheap Buck [who cares if it rusts] and a Simonich talonite. But the bigger knife in the arctic should be a tough sucker [I should use an ice ax] and I think I'll stay with the Busses now that I have the stellite PFD knife. If I'm wearing a survival suit and don't wear a PFD then I wear a neck knife, and this is another Blackwood but in talonite.
A canoe always involves a PFD [ well, it should] and a knife lashed to it, but I can wear my big knife too.
Packs have even more combinations and permutations. That's another story. But it is absolutely essential in every case to have a spare paddle, a throwbag, and a small cache of emergency stuff. That's my $.02Can.
 
Has anybody seen the Water Rat by Schrade? I was reading this post and one of the guys who works with me suggested that I take a look at it.

scwr1.jpg


What do you guys think? It holds great in the sheath, blunt tip, great edge out of the box. Anybody heard anything, good or bad?

------------------
Jason Cadden
jc.gif

Webmaster
Smoky Mountain Knife Works, Inc.
jcadden@smkw.com

[This message has been edited by jcadden (edited 06-14-2001).]
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top